Marriage records in Sarasota County, Florida, are available through several channels. SarasotaCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, records are maintained at the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Sarasota County — they can be requested online, in person, or by mail. The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County also issues marriage certificates at the state level.
Sarasota Marriage Records Search
In the state of Florida, the responsibility for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records is assigned to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. In Sarasota County, this function is performed by the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The collection includes marriage licenses issued in the county, marriage certificates filed after the ceremony, as well as historical records.
The search for official records can be started through the Official Records online system, which allows you to view indexes of marriage documents. Please note: the online index shows basic information, but a separate request is required to obtain a certified copy.
Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
For records dated before 1927, it may be necessary to contact the clerk directly or the state archival services.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Sarasota
Fees for copies of marriage records are established in accordance with Florida Statutes, including §28.24 and §382.0255. Below are the main rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (Clerk of Court) | $5.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page |
| Search fee | $2.00 |
| Certified copy through the Bureau of Vital Statistics | $5.00 |
If you order a copy through ClerkNet, the system may charge additional fees for certification and online processing. The processing time for requests submitted by mail is usually 5–10 business days. Visiting in person is the fastest way: a copy is often issued the same day.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Sarasota
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate in Sarasota County.
Online
The county clerk offers certification of official records and marriage certificates through ClerkNet. To use the service:
- Register an account in the ClerkNet system.
- Find the desired record by the spouses' names and the marriage date.
- Pay the fee online and choose the delivery method.
Separately certified copies can be ordered through the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Florida Department of Health, which maintains a centralized registry of marriages since June 1927.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at:
Bring a valid photo ID. No appointment is necessary — the clerk accepts visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
By Mail
Send a request to the clerk's office address. Include in the letter:
- A written request specifying the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- A copy of the applicant's ID
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail requests are processed within one to two weeks. If the clerk cannot find a record with the provided information, your payment for the copy will be refunded, but the search fee is non-refundable.
To obtain records at the state level, contact the local office of the Department of Health at 2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237 (phone for the Venice office: 941-861-3528). This office also processes requests for divorce certificates.