ABOVE: Hillsborough County Clerk Cindy Stuart. Photo via Stuart’s office.
TAMPA | The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court will hold a “Love is Love” community wedding June 2 at 9:30 a.m. at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square, marrying up to 50 registered couples during Pride Month.
“Our Pride Month 2022 wedding event is a meaningful way to gather and celebrate together in a beautiful venue,” Clerk Cindy Stuart explains. “The event reflects one of Hillsborough County’s greatest strengths – diversity. It’s my honor to officiate.”
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Couples must register online no later than May 27 at 5 p.m. and obtain a marriage license in order to participate, which can be done through the county.
While Stuart has waived the normal $30 ceremony fee, standard license fees will still apply. To receive a marriage license, both parties must appear together in person, be at least age 18 and provide a valid driver’s license, state identification card or passport as well as their social security or alien registration number. SSN and INS cards are not required.
Both people must also jointly complete a marriage license application and according to Florida law, read a Marriage Handbook. Nonrefundable license fees are $86 or $61 for Florida residents who complete a premarital preparation course with registered providers.
Couples will receive a special commemorative marriage certificate during the event, mailed within one week of the ceremony. Officials note that all couples are welcome to register and participate but request that guests are limited to four people.
“One of my Office’s four strategic priorities is DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion,” Stuart says. “Our workforce must reflect our constituency. We are proudly a majority-minority agency. The work we do is rooted in fairness, trust, and equal access to all. We’re focused on providing excellent customer service, but also celebrating our differences.”
Since taking office in Jan. 2021, Stuart and her staff have participated in Tampa Pride and more. The Democrat recently led another community wedding on Feb. 14, the clerk’s well-attended “Tie the Knot” community wedding on Valentine’s Day which also welcomed same-sex couples.
View video and photos from the ceremony below, courtesy of the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court:
“Meeting our constituents in the community is the key to building lasting partnerships,” Stuart explains. “Our ‘Love is Love’ wedding event is just one way we show support for the LGBTQIA community … When you visit any of our locations, you’ll be greeted by the Progress Pride flag, alongside the American and the State of Florida flag. Being respectful of all people is an expectation in our workplace.”
For more information about the clerk’s “Love is Love” community wedding, click here. Register by May 27 at this link and learn more about applying for a marriage license here.
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