Elope in Florida
subtropical wilderness, cypress swamps, and Gulf coastline
Florida's national parks cover subtropical terrain that does not exist anywhere else in the continental US. Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness in the country: remote, flat, and unlike any other elopement backdrop. Biscayne National Park is 95 percent water, making it primarily a boat-access destination with coral reef and mangrove island ceremony options. Dry Tortugas, accessible only by seaplane or ferry from Key West, is for couples who specifically want something that takes real effort to reach.
Elopement Locations in Florida
4 location guides covering subtropical wilderness, cypress swamps, and Gulf coastline.
- Everglades National Park: National Park · November through April · Permit: Yes · Fee: $100 plus cost recovery
- Dry Tortugas National Park: National Park · November through April · Permit: Yes · Fee: $100 non refundable processing fee (confirm current rate at 305 242 7042 or ever_sup_office@nps.gov). Ferry or seaplane fare to Garden Key is additional.
- Biscayne National Park: National Park · November through April · Permit: Yes · Fee: $150 non refundable application fee. Additional monitoring costs billed if NPS staff must be on site.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore: National Seashore · Fall Spring · Permit: Yes · Fee: Non refundable application fee varies by cost recovery analysis. Contact permit office at 850 934 2600 for current amount. Park entrance fees apply to all guests.
Florida Marriage License
Non-Florida residents have no waiting period, making this a top destination-elopement state. FL residents face a 3-day wait unless they complete a 4-hour premarital course (which also drops the fee from $86 to $61). No witnesses required. License is valid statewide; apply at any FL county clerk of the circuit court.
- License fee: $86 ($61 with premarital course)
- Wait period: 3 days for FL residents; none for non-residents
- Witnesses required: None
- License valid for: 60 days