Success Stories
Before You Tie the Knot
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Since January 1, 1999, Florida residents applying for a marriage license are rewarded for taking a marriage preparation course given by an approved provider. Governor Lawton Chiles signed this bill into law to discourage couples from making a spur-of-the-moment marriage decision. Florida has one of the highest divorce rates in the country.
Couples who take the course and are both Florida residents receive a $32.50 discount on the state marriage license fee; for these couples, the three-day mandatory waiting period (between obtaining a marriage license and getting married) is waived. Both partners must show proof of taking the course within the previous twelve months.
Premarital preparation classes may cover topics such as conflict management, communications skills, financial responsibilities, and parenting responsibilities. The UF/IFAS Extension course, "Before You Tie the Knot," uses a series of interactive, hands-on games and activities to provide couples with information and instruction on several topics, including parenting, conflict resolution, communication skills, and financial planning.
A list of approved providers of marriage preparation classes can be obtained from the county marriage license bureau, normally under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Approved providers on this county list should include family life educators of UF/IFAS Extension, psychologists, mental health counselors, trained official representatives of religious institutions, and marriage and family therapists.
A typical pre-marital class is a minimum of four hours long, but may be as long as six sessions. The cost of such classes varies from free to several hundred dollars, depending on the provider. (Some may use a sliding scale.) "Before You Tie the Knot" is free and offered in most counties in the state.
To find out whether "Before You Tie the Knot" classes are available in your area, contact your county Extension office. For more information about the program, read the UF/IFAS News article, New UF Marriage-prep Course Targets High Divorce Rates.
For more information about Florida's marriage laws, read our publication, So You are Getting Married in Florida!.
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