Is a marriage ceremony performed by a notary public of the State of Florida “legal and binding?”

Florida is one of only three states (the other two are South Carolina and Maine) who authorize their notaries public to “solemnize the rites of matrimony.” The Florida notary MAY perform a marriage ceremony providing the couple first obtain a marriage license from an authorized Florida official and may only perform such ceremony within the geographical boundaries of Florida. Thus, a Florida notary could not perform a marriage ceremony in another state. Additionally, a notary from another state, including South Carolina and Maine, could not perform a marriage ceremony in Florida. And, a Florida notary may not marry a couple who has obtained a marriage license from another state. The couple has to obtain the required marriage license from Florida and the marriage ceremony has to be performed in Florida, the marriage would be “legal and binding.”