Can gay people marry in florida

Home / gay topics / Can gay people marry in florida

Check back often for updates.

What do I need in order to obtain a marriage license?

To obtain a marriage license, both partners should bring a picture ID such as a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID card, or valid passport to your County Clerk of Court’s office.

Any individual who has been issued a Social Security Number must provide it, but individuals do not need to bring their Social Security Cards.

The Florida Department of Health, for instance, encountered legal challenges regarding the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, highlighting the complexities involved in aligning state practices with federal mandates.

Statutes and Amendments

The legislative framework surrounding gay marriage in Florida is rooted in state statutes and amendments, reflecting the contentious nature of this issue.

At that time, any legislation attempting to grant marital rights to same-sex couples was precluded by this constitutional provision.

The passage of Amendment 2 set the stage for legal battles and legislative debates. The existing statutory framework was gradually realigned to accommodate the federal ruling. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015) the Supreme Court addressed cases that came from Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee which like Florida defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The order is available here.

A Florida marriage license can be issued by any county, regardless of where you or your partner reside.

What if the clerk at my county turns me away or is not ready to issue licenses to same-sex couples as soon as the stay expires?

If your county clerk is unwilling to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples, please contact us using this form to let us know.

CBS Corporation, 385 So.3d 1021 (Fla. Fla. 2015) and 2016 WL 3561754 (N.D.

can gay people marry in florida

Moreover, if you are denied a marriage license, you can go to another Florida County to get a license.

Who can officiate my wedding?

According to Florida law, “All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel or elders in communion with some church, or other ordained clergy, and all judicial officers, including retired judicial officers, clerks of the circuit courts, and notaries public of this state” may perform a marriage.

We were married out of state but live in Florida.

This harmonization process was complex, as it required reconciling federal mandates with state-specific legal traditions and precedents.

Legal Challenges and Court Rulings

Legal challenges have been instrumental in shaping the course of gay marriage laws in Florida, with court rulings often acting as catalysts for change.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision rendered the amendment unenforceable, it remains part of the Florida Constitution, highlighting the tension between federal mandates and state statutes. The statute is in the process of being repealed by the Florida Legislature as a result of the cases described below.

In Obergefell v. These elements collectively shape the legal framework governing same-sex marriages within the state.

Legal Status of Gay Marriage in Florida

The legal status of gay marriage in Florida has transformed, particularly since the U.S.

Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 2024 WL 3735894 (Fla. An individual who is not a U.S. citizen may provide an “alien registration number” or another form of identification, such as a U.S. driver’s license number or foreign passport.

There is a fee of $93.50 for obtaining a marriage license. Scott, filed in the Northern District of Florida, where plaintiffs argued that Florida’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages violated the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Marriages between persons of the same sex, entered into in any jurisdiction whether within or outside of Florida or any foreign jurisdiction, were not recognized for any purpose in this state. The State has appealed that ruling and asked for the implementation of the ruling to be delayed until the appeal is resolved. One notable case was Brenner v.

However, the courts have denied that request. The 3-day waiting period does not apply if both applicants are non-residents.

The 3-day period can be waived by completing a premarital counseling course or by filing a motion with the County Court asserting hardship.

Can I get married any time after I receive my license?

A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days after it is issued.

If one of the persons to be married is not able to go in person because of illness or other reason, he or she should contact the clerk in advance to see if special arrangements can be made.

Will I be able to marry right away when I receive my license?

Florida law requires that Florida residents wait three days between the issuance of a marriage license and the license becoming effective.

However, these bills routinely faced opposition and failed to gain traction due to the constitutional prohibition established by Amendment 2.

In the aftermath of Obergefell v. Since then, Florida has recognized the legality of same-sex marriages. In Ripple v.