There are two types of marriage licensesformal marriage license and declaration and registration of an informal marriage common law. Each county clerks office has been different in how they are handling marriage licenses during the pandemic, with some closing completely while others allowing couples to make an appointment and come in to get the. Galveston marriage license requirements how to marry in. To obtain your marriage license, both parties must appear in person before a clerk at a clark county marriage bureau location. The dallas county clerks office is located on the second floor of the records building at 509 main street in dallas. In texas, you must be at least 18 to marry without consent. Nevada marriage licenses are only valid within the state of nevada.
The license is good for 90 days after the date of issuance. For example, you will have to prove your identity and follow time limits. Marriage license taylor county, tx official website. A marriage license issued in texas is valid for a wedding ceremony held in any texas county. A list of texas county clerk offices are at the bottom of the page. The marriage applicant changing their name will need to take the original marriage license or a certified copy of the marriage license to the texas department of public safety and the social security office to start the change process.
Texas marriage license application and report of divorce or. If youre getting married in texas, you must first apply for a marriage license. The county court clerk is a good starting point to obtain a copy of texas marriage records. All applicants are required to complete an electronic marriage application on a kiosk located within one of the recordercounty clerk facilities. The following criteria must be met before two people can enter. Do not sign the marriage application form before going to the local registrar. Once a marriage license has been issued by the county clerks office, it is valid for 90 from the issue date, and is valid in any other county in the state of texas. In order to get married in texas you must apply for a texas marriage license at any county clerks office. Where can we go to get our marriage license in houston, texas. For minors obtaining a marriage license effective september 1, 2017, if either applicant is under 18 years of age, a court order granted by the state under the. You can easily find marriage license rules and requirements, including. New marriage certificate, replace marriage certificate, copy of marriage certificate. How to get a marriage license usa with pictures wikihow. To download the file, rightclick the link and choose the save link as.
Texas vital statistics marriage and divorce verification. You may purchase your marriage license in any county in texas and get married anywhere in the state of texas. If you and your fiance are residents of texas, you can get a discount on your license fee by completing a premarital class that is provided by the state for free. The harris county clerks office main branch is located in houston in the harris county civil courthouse at 201 caroline, suite 460. If oneboth of the applicants are active duty military, the waiting period is waived. Date of marriage or at least the estimated year mailing address to return your copy. To obtain a marriage license, you need to show up to a texas county clerks office. The guide for first time dlid applicants dl100e is designed as a visual aid to guide you through the driver license dl and identification id card application process. Records obtained from the state of texas bureau of vital statistics, 01011999. In most of the united states, marriage by proxy is not allowed, but there are a few places that allow it such as the states of colorado, kansas, montana, and texas. Because marriage licenses are issued at the county level, the marriage license fee depends on which county in texas you apply in. In texas, for example, you must wait at least 72 hours before getting married after you apply for a marriage license to actually get married, meaning that if you put this off until two to three. Both applicants must be present to receive the license few exceptions, as noted in the statutes. The county clerks office is located on the second floor of the potter county courthouse at 500 south fillmore, amarillo, texas, 79101.
Minors applicants under the age of 18 who wish to apply for a marriage license must submit a completed parent or guardian consent formavailable at the county clerks office for parents who reside in bexar county, or online for parents who reside. The montgomery county marriage license, located in conroe, tx, processes marriage license applications and issues marriage licenses. If sending in a request, please include the following. A proxy marriage is when the marriage is performed despite one party, or both parties of the marriage, are not physically available at the ceremony. You must sign the application, under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority. Dec 22, 2019 states that offer a marriage license online, are generally going to have the same requirements as states that offer them in person. To apply for a marriage license, couples in dallas need to go together in person to the county clerks office.
Watch our new video opens a new window on how to apply for a texas driver license. All states including texas have specific marriage license requirements. How to get a marriage license amid covid19 weddingwire. The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the time of purchase. Mar 29, 2019 to get a marriage license, make sure to check your states laws on how long it will take to get your license after applying for it. There are 306 such offices across the states 254 counties. Rejoinders in marriage per recent legislation, a husband and wife, whose record of marriage has been lost or destroyed or is otherwise unobtainable, may be issued a marriage license and rejoined in marriage. Texas does not require a blood test to be conducted on the marriage license applicants. An absent affidavit application cannot be used for the informal marriage license. Must be 18 years of age to apply for a marriage license.
Download, print, and complete the application form below. Its not very costly or difficult to get married in texas, but you do need to know and follow the rules. Marriage license requirements texas wedding ministers. The form and content of this application is prescribed by section 2. If a couple wishes to marry after the expiration date, a new license must be purchased. Please read the general marriage license information in spanish. The marriage license office also records marriage certificates in conroe and maintains marriage records. Where to apply for a marriage certificate how much a marriage license costs who can perform a valid marriage ceremony how long a marriage license is valid in your state required documents and procedures to get a marriage certificate waiting periods to get married after divorce.
Marriage records can also found at the texas department of health and vital statistics it is possible to find the records even if the real ceremony happened at another location or a different state. You may order a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage record online using your credit card through our only approved official internet business partner of the tarrant county clerks office, vitalchek network inc general information. There is a 72hour waiting period from the time you purchase the license, until you can get married. If the marriage takes place outside of texas, contact the appropriate state office, consulate or embassy to learn the marriage requirements for that state or country. In addition, states are likely to require couples to send original documents rather than copies. Please contact the clerk where you plan to purchase the license for specific requirements, office hours and further. Although you may use a marriage license from any county within the state of texas, many couples love the idea of having a galveston county marriage license to document their galveston wedding. Official texas marriage certificate get your marriage records. Marriage licenses is not affiliated with any government agency. The clerks official will give you a formal application. Please read the general marriage license information in english. To get your marriage license, you will need to bring the required documents to a county clerk office and fill out an application. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and no nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of halfblood, and not having a husband or wife living. A formal marriage license can be obtained from any county in texas and the marriage can be performed anywhere.
Also be aware that some offices carve out shorter marriage license only hours. Get your official texas marriage certificates online for birth or death certificate, joint taxes, insurance, social security benefits. In fact, couples will still be expected to provide the necessary proof such as birth certificates or passports. The other applicant may apply for a marriage license on behalf of the absent applicant. Additionally, check to see whether theres a waiting period after you get your license and before you can marry. Getting married in new york state is also available in portable document format pdf, 199kb, 2pg. In the state of texas, the marriage license is valid for ninety 90 days from the day it is issued. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Bring completed application to the county clerks office for processing. Marriage licenses bexar county, tx official website. Plan for your texas wedding by first becoming familiar with the marriage laws and regulations in the state. The application process takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Department of health vital statistics marriage license.
There must be at least 72 hours between the date and time of issuance of a license and the time the ceremony occurs, unless one applicant is on active duty in the armed forces or a waiver is granted. A california marriage license is a permit to get married. The county clerk issues and maintains all marriage licenses in tarrant county. Texas marriage records search county records for marriage. California marriage license, registration and ceremony. A formal marriage license a formal marriage license can be obtained from any county in texas and the marriage can be performed anywhere. Couples can download the appropriate application for a marriage license from our website, complete it and bring it into our office. You can get a marriage license in texas by visiting a county clerks office in any texas county.
If either applicant is divorced less than 31 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree waiving the 31 day waiting period is required. Marriage licenses issued by any texas county clerks office will be valid in any other county in texas. The county clerk provides two locations at which you can obtain your marriage license. Information found on marriage licenses is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal or financial advice. To get married in texas, apply for a marriage license at any texas county clerks office. Can i use my texas marriage license to get married in another state. In texas, the legal age to obtain a marriage license without parental consent is 18 years.
If you are active duty military the waiting period is waived. Information regarding what to do once you get your marriage license and how to order copies of your marriage records after you are married can be found here. You can apply in a different texas county from where you will be married, but youll have to return the completed license to the same county where you applied after your ceremony. After you have downloaded the marriage or divorce files you wish to use, and. Free texas marriage records enter a name to view marriage. The registration of public and confidential marriages in california is a local and state function. The marriage license fees varies from texas county to county, so call ahead to your local county clerks office to find out the fee and ask what form of payment is accepted. County clerk marriage license 21st floor dallas county.
Texas does have a waiting period and encourages premarital education, though its not required. Everything you need to know about getting married in texas. The vital statistics unit provides letters verifying if marriage or divorce was recorded with the state of texas based on the application for marriage or. Certified copies of marriage licenses or divorce decrees are only available from the county clerk marriage or district clerk divorce in the county or district in which it was obtained. The california family code provides for a continuous and permanent marriage registration system. Sometimes these offices are called marriage license bureaus. Blood tests andor physicals arent required prior to issuance of the license. You can apply for a marriage license at any county clerks office in the state of texas. If you and your fiance are residents of texas, you can get a discount on your license fee by completing a premarital class that is provided by the. Apr 28, 2020 texass marriage license process hasnt changed much since covid19they are provided by the county clerks office.
Once you obtain your marriage license, there is a 72 hour waiting period before you can get married. You must have a ceremony performed before the 91st day. The vital statistics unit provides letters verifying if marriage or divorce was recorded with the state of texas based on the application for marriage or divorce sent to our office by the county or district. Applicants under the age of 18 must have a certified copy of their long form birth certificate issued in the last 10 years as well as courtemancipated.