Daytona Beach Weddings
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Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,421. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had a 2006 population of 496,575.
Daytona Beach is a year-round resort area. The city is historically known for its motorsports, with both Daytona International Speedway and the old Daytona Beach Road Course having hosted races for over a century. The city is also the headquarters for NASCAR and the Grand American Road Racing Association. Daytona could accurately be called a seasonal town, with large groups of out-of-towners descending upon the city for various events, most notably Speedweeks in early February when over 200,000 NASCAR fans come to attend the season-opening Daytona 500. Other events include the NASCAR Pepsi 400 race in July (now Coke Zero 400), Bike Week in March, Biketoberfest in October and Black College Reunion in March and April. In the past Daytona Beach catered to spring breakers, but in recent years many of the breakers have migrated to other sites, like Panama City. Daytona Beach has tried to clean up its image but in the last few years spring breakers have come back again in smaller numbers.
Daytona Beach is the best known of the seven area communities. Although the wide 23-mile stretch of white sandy beach is still the biggest attraction here, with over 8 million visitors flocking to the area every year, the metro area is rapidly changing from the event Mecca to family oriented resort destination. The area is experiencing the Renaissance of sorts. Historical sites like the Main Street Pier, the Oceanfront Boardwalk and the Clocktower in Oceanfront Park add to the appeal of this exciting city.
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Daytona Beach Weddings
Traditions
Why Daytona Beach?
Marriage License Requirements
Marriage licenses must be applied for in person with both the prospective bride and groom present. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and provide the office with identification, such as a drivers license containing a photograph or birth certificate. A blood test is no longer required. If either applicant has been divorced, you must provide the Clerk with the date the divorce was finalized.
In special circumstances applicants serving in the military who are unable to apply in person may contact the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court to make the appropriate arrangements.
Effective January 1, 1999, if a couple has not completed a premarital preparation course from a qualified course provider registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Volusia County, Florida, the effective date of the marriage license will be delayed three (3) days from the date of issuance. Those couples who have completed a course will have the fee reduced by $32.50 and will have no waiting period to get married. Exceptions apply to non-Florida residents.
In 1998 the Marriage Preparation and Preservation Act (98-402, Laws of Florida) provided that a Family Law Handbook be distributed to each marriage license applicant prior to the issuance of the license. Each applicant must state in writing that he or she has obtained and read, or otherwise accessed, the information contained in the handbook. The handbook is also available at all Marriage License Departments and can be read prior to completing the license application.
eMarriage:
Couples may save time by completing the Marriage License Application online.
Marriage License Fees:
- License application, license preparation, administering oath, issuing, affixing seal, recording
and certifying - $93.50
- Solemnizing matrimony - $30.00
- Payment by: Cash; Personal Checks; or Visa MasterCard or Discover Credit Cards & Debit Cards with the Visa MasterCard logo
How long is the license valid?
The license is valid for 60 days and the marriage may take place anywhere in the State of Florida. The marriage license form must be returned to the Clerk's Office for recording within ten days after the marriage is performed. A copy will be provided.
Can the Clerk perform the ceremony?
Upon request the Clerk, or a Deputy Clerk, is authorized to perform your wedding ceremony during regular office hours from 8:00 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. An additional fee of $30.00 will be due for this service.
May I apply if I am under the age of 18?
If either the bride or groom is under the age of 18, the Clerk's Office is authorized to issue a marriage license if one of the following conditions is met:
- The prospective bride or groom under the age of 18 has a written consent from his or her parents or guardian;
- If the minor applicant has been married previously, the Clerk's office will issue a marriage license provided the applicants furnish documentation evidencing the prior marriage.
- A County Judge is authorized to issue a marriage license to any applicant under the age of 18, if one of the following conditions are met:
- Both applicants swear under oath that they are the parents of a child;
- The female applicant is pregnant and this fact is verified by a licensed physician’s written statement and both parties swear under oath that they are the expectant parents of a child.
- The Clerks Office will schedule a hearing, if necessary, with a County Court Judge who will then decide to issue or deny the license based upon the circumstances of the application and the accompanying documentation. A fee of $93.50 is required. If the judge denies the request, $93.50 is refundable.
Can I get a copy of my license?
Marriage records date back to 1855 in Volusia County. For our search, we will need the names of the bride and groom, and the year that the marriage took place. Search fee is $1.50 per name per year. Certified copies are $2.50 each.
How To Get There
Get in
Map of Daytona Beach, relative to Volusia County and Florida, with locations of nearby Cities.
By Car
Daytona Beach is easily accessible by interstate I-95 that runs north and south and I-4 connecting Daytona Beach with Orlando and Tampa. U.S. Highway 1 (Ridgewood Avenue) also passes through Daytona Beach. A1A is the scenic north/South route along the beach.
By Bus
Daytona Beach is served by Greyhound Bus Lines, which has a terminal located at 138 South Ridgewood Avenue (US-1). The Greyhound routes from Daytona Beach connect with hubs in Jacksonville and Orlando.
By Train
Amtrak offers the Amtrak Auto Train service with its southern Terminus located in Sanford (Florida), about 35 miles west of Daytona Beach. The Amtrak Auto Train carries passengers and automobiles between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Florida to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. You can easily drive your car into Daytona after departing from the Auto Train.
Amtrak offers regular passenger service with the closest stop being near the city of DeLand. This stop is rather remote and is not recommended as an option.
By Plane
You can fly into Daytona Beach International Airport, which is served by Delta Air Lines, AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines, and Vintage Props and Jets. Other airports nearby are Orlando International (MCO) or Jacksonville International (JAX), both of which are an hour away.
Orlando-Sanford International Airport is located about 30 miles west of the city in Sanford. Several flights from the United Kingdom, including those from Belfast in Northern Ireland, land here. If you are flying Allegiant Air from within the US or Icelandair from Iceland, you will land at Sanford Airport.
By Boat
Daytona Beach is accessible via the Intracoastal Waterway, from both the Halifax River and the Atlantic Ocean. Refueling services are available at the Daytona Marina.
Get around
By car
Getting around by car is very easy and convenient in Daytona Beach. The major roads are all wide and easy to drive on with all the major areas signposted, but traffic jams around major intersections are common in the afternoons, and around the tourist areas on Saturday nights.
The main tourism area is Atlantic Avenue (North and South), a strip of road that runs parallel to the beach for 23 miles. During major NASCAR races, International Speedway Boulevard gets congested near the racetrack.
All major car rental companies are located in or near the Daytona Beach International Airport.
Car Rental Companies include:
- Alamo Rent A Car, 1-800-462-5266.
- Avis Rent A Car, 1-800-331-1212.
- Budget Rent A Car, 1-800-527-0700.
- Dollar Rent A Car, 1-800-800-3665.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 1-800-261-7331.
- Hertz Car Rental, 1-800-654-3131.
- National Car Rental, 1-888-868-6206.
- Thrifty, 1-800-847-4389.
By Motorcycle
If you are coming to Daytona Beach for a motorcycle rally, you will probably want to rent a motorcycle to ride around on instead of a car. You should reserve one well in advance of the major biker rallies.
- Daytona Harley Davidson, 290 North Beach Street, Phone: +1 386 253-2453
- Daytona Cruisers, 790 East International Speedway Blvd., Phone: + 1 386 255-4469
By Bus
- VOTRAN is the name of the local Volusia County bus service. It is a cheap way to get around and is handicap accessible. The website provides maps and timetables. Buses travel to most sites and places of interest. A one-day Votran bus pass costs $3.
- A1A Beachside Trolley operates from January to Labor Day (September) along Atlantic Avenue on the beachside. They are air-conditioned and handicapped accessible.
Transfer Stations
- Transfer Plaza
- Intermodal Transit Facility (inside Volusia County Parking Garage), 701 Earl Street at North Atlantic Avenue.
Taxi
Taxi companies include:
- Yellow Cab, ☎ (386) 255-5555.
- Southern Komfort Taxi, ☎ (386) 252-2222.
- All Florida Cab, ☎ (386) 254-3400.
Stay safe
Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. Daytona Beach is known for a high number of shark attacks, so be careful when surfing. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page.
Daytona Beach has varying crime intensity by neighborhood. In certain parts of the city it may not be safe to walk alone or even in small groups at night. Touristy areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. The 911 number for fire and police emergencies is in effect in Daytona Beach.
Get out
- Daytona Beach Shores - A quieter, small city located just South of Daytona Beach along the beach peninsula.
- New Smyrna Beach - New Smyrna Beach lays claim to the best Florida offers - excellent backwater and offshore fishing, golf, historical sites, cultural events and eclectic shopping and dining experiences along historical Flagler Avenue and Canal Street.
- Ormond Beach - Located at the North end of the Greater Daytona Beach area. Ormond Beach was once home to the Rockefellers and the Flaglers. Ormond Beach features attractions like the Casements and Tomoka State Park. Visitors seeking a quieter part of the beach can find it here. Beach driving is not allowed at the northern end of Ormond Beach.
- Ponce Inlet - A scenic fishing village located the southern tip of the beach peninsula. Here you will find the historic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Marine Science Center, local charter fishing boats, along with several of the area's best seafood restaurants.
- Port Orange - A quiet, but rapidly growing city just South of Daytona Beach on the mainland, where you can enjoy Golf and Tennis.
Insider Tips
VAT & Taxes
Sales tax in Daytona Beach is 6.5%. The tax on hotel rooms is 13%.
Best Time to Go
Climate
Daytona Beach, FL Weather
Daytona Beach, FL climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 91.00 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 47.10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 18 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 22 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Daytona Beach is 49.29 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is September with an average rainfall of 6.61 Inches.
Normal Climate
Normal Temperatures
(DAYTONA BEACH INTL AP Weather station, 2.66 miles from Daytona Beach) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Max °F 69.7 71.1 75.6 79.8 85.0 88.8 91.0 90.1 87.9 82.6 76.9 71.4 80.8 Mean °F 58.4 60.0 64.7 68.9 74.8 79.7 81.7 81.5 79.9 74.0 67.0 60.8 71.0 Min °F 47.1 48.8 53.7 58.0 64.5 70.6 72.4 72.8 71.9 65.3 57.0 50.1 61.0
Normal Precipitation
(DAYTONA BEACH INTL AP Weather station, 2.66 miles from Daytona Beach) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Inch 3.13 2.74 3.84 2.54 3.26 5.69 5.17 6.09 6.61 4.48 3.03 2.71 49.29
Daytona Beach Churches
Guests Must Do (Things To Do)
Daytona Beach is a reputed Florida vacation destination known partly for its Spring Break prowess. Featuring one of the best beaches in Florida, Daytona Beach offers fun in the sun with plenty to do on the side as well. Visitors to Daytona Beach will find a wealth of Daytona Beach hotels and vacation rentals, making it an ideal base for your upcoming Florida vacation. Orlando is just about an hour’s drive away, where you can find gobs of theme parks, including Walt Disney World. You might consider the following suggestions for things to do in Daytona Beach to help you maximize your Daytona Beach vacation.
Hit the Beach
It goes without saying that a city with the word “beach” in its name is going to have a beach nearby. Hanging out at the beach is certainly among the most popular things to do in Daytona Beach Florida. The beach consistently ranks among the top beaches in the country and offers plenty in the way of diversion. With scores of hotels, bars and clubs along the beach’s wide sandy stretches, it’s easy to see why millions flock here on a yearly basis. Daytona Beach offers 23 miles of sandy shoreline, with 18 of those miles open to cars during daytime hours. Daytona Beach activities include simple sunbathing, jogging, fishing, sailing and so much more.
Tee it Up For a Round of Golf
Daytona Beach is one of fastest growing golf destinations in the state, offering some of the best Florida golf courses in and around the area. Golf enthusiasts looking for things to do in Daytona Beach will be happy to know that many of these challenging championship links were designed by the greatest names in the industry. Daytona Beach was ranked among Golf Digest’s top 15 places to tee it up in the country and you can find plenty of great deals when booking a Florida golf package in the Daytona Beach area.
Hang Out at the Main Street Pier
When looking for things to do in Daytona Beach, find great beachside food and fun at the Main Street Pier. The Main Street Pier is the longest pier found on the entire east coast and starts at 1200 Main Street. An ideal place for people watching, the pier also offers some neat rides and is a great place to cast a line. Try the observation tower and head 180 feet up for a view of the beach. Or try the Sky Lift, and get carried out to the pier’s end before heading out over the ocean and back. Rent a fishing pole and bait at the fishing shop and see what you can catch. For a nominal fee, you can walk to the end of the 1,000 foot pier for unparalleled views of the ocean.
Visit the Kennedy Space Center
One of the most unique attractions in all of the country, the Kennedy Space Center is a place where the imagination soars and some of man’s greatest feats are celebrated. Located at Cape Canaveral, just an hour’s drive south of Daytona Beach, the Kennedy Space Center makes for an excellent day trip while considering things to do in Daytona Beach Florida. Tour NASA’s launch and landing facilities, get a firsthand look inside a space shuttle and enjoy the various other exhibits dedicated to space exploration. It’s almost guaranteed that the hour-long return drive will seem like 5 minutes with all your group will have to talk about.
Rev Up Your Engines at Daytona U.S.A.
Daytona Beach is where you will find NASCAR headquarters and no other national museum better serves the sport than Daytona U.S.A. Deemed, “The Official Attraction of NASCAR”, Daytona U.S.A. gives visitors the chance to enjoy hands-on activities, peruse interesting NASCAR memorabilia and engage in a series of challenging thrills. Among the main attractions found at the museum include the winning car from that year’s Daytona 500 and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, where you have the chance to actually get behind the wheel of a race car and burn up the racetrack. A must-include for things to do in Daytona Beach for NASCAR fans, this museum is also a joy for casual observers.
Shop on Beach Street in Downtown Daytona Beach
Beach Street is the heart of Daytona Beach’s downtown district, offering unique shops, galleries and eateries. Whether you are shopping for antiques, or looking for that special gift, you’ll find what you are looking for on Beach Street. From jewelry, to the city’s most famous chocolate factory, you can treat yourself to something, or some things, special while seeing what Beach Street has to offer. Beach Street definitely makes a case for adding shopping to your list of things to do in Daytona Beach Florida.
Visit the Southeast Museum of Photography
Slow it down a bit and opt for artsy things to do in Daytona Beach with a stop at the Southeast Museum of Photography. Known internationally for its leadership reputation in the photographic arts, this museum is recognized as the official photography museum of Florida. The museum is moving to the Mori Hosseini Center, where an exciting fall opening will offer new exhibitions to its already diverse collection. This museum is free to enter.