Texas Marriage License Requirements

If you're getting married in the state of Texas you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…

Cost of Your License

How much does a marriage license cost?

The marriage license fee is roughly $67.00 dollars, although fees may vary from county to county. Accepted forms of payment are cash.

Residency Requirement

Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?

There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Texas to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide.

Waiting Period

After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?

Yes, after you receive your license, there is still a mandatory 3 day waiting period before you can actually get married. The waiting period can be waived due to active military status.

License Expiration

How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?

Your license will expire 30 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.

What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?

Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.

Age Requirement

How old must I be to get married?

You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?

If either partner is under 18, parents or legal guardians must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.

Blood Test

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No blood test or physical exam is required.

Divorced or Widowed Applicants

What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. If the divorce or spouse's death had taken place within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.

Marriage Name Change

How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?

When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Texas or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.

Proxy Marriage

What is a proxy marriage?

A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."

Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?

Yes. Texas is one of only five states that does allow marriage by proxy to be legally performed.

Common Law Marriage

What is a common law marriage?

The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Texas marriage license.

Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?

Yes, common-law marriages are allowed in Texas. The fact that it is a viable option in this state is notable considering common law marriage is not available in four-fifths of the country.

Cousin Marriage

Can I get married to my cousin?

No, cousin marriages are not allowed. As of September 1, 2005, first cousin marriages were no longer allowed.

Same Sex Marriage

Are same sex marriages legal?

Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in Texas.

Where to Go

Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?

Texas has 222 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.

Anderson County Clerk
500 Church St
Palestine, TX 75801
903-723-7432
Andrews County Clerk
215 Northwest 1st
Andrews, TX 79714
915-524-1426
Angelina County Clerk
215 E Lufkin Ave
Lufkin, TX 75902
409-634-8339
Aransas County County Clerk
301 North Live Oak St
Rockport, TX 78382
512-790-0122
Armstrong Deputy Clerk
P.O. Box 309
Claude, TX 79019
806-226-2081
Atascosa County Clerk
Room 61 Circle Drive
Jourdanton, TX 78026
830-769-3011
Austin County Clerk
1 East Main
Belville, TX 77418
409-865-5911
Bailey County Clerk
300 S. First St
Muleshoe, TX 79347
806-272-3044
Bastrop County County Recorders Office
803 Pine St 1st Floor
Bastron, TX 78602
512-321-4444
Beeville County Clerk Bee County Courthouse
105 W Corpus Christi St Rm 103
Beeville, TX 78102
512-362-3245
Bell County Clerk
Corner Of Central & Main
Belton, TX 76513
254-939-3521
Bexar County Clerks
County Courthouse
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-220-2581
Blanco County Clerk
P.O. Box 65
Johnson City, TX 78636
830-868-7357
Bosque County Clerk
106 River St
Meridian, TX 76665
254-435-2201
Bowie County Clerk
1000 James Bowie Dr
Boston, TX 75570
903-628-6744
Brazoria County Clerk
111 E Locust Room 200
Angleton, TX 77516
409-849-5711
Brazos County Clerk
300 E 26th St, #120
Bryan, TX 77803
409-361-4130
Brewster County Clerk
201 West Ave E
Alpine, TX 79830
915-837-3366
Brooks County Clerk
P.O. Box 427
Falfurnas, TX 78355
512-325-3053
Brown County Clerk
200 South Broadway
Brownwood, TX 76801
915-643-2594
Burleson County Clerk
Buck & Fox St Rm 203, 2nd Flr
Caldwell, TX 77832
409-567-4326
Burnet County Recorder
220 S. Poerce St
Burnet, TX 78611
512-756-5420
Caldwell County Clerk
110 S Main St
Lockhart, TX 78644
512-398-1804
Calhoun County Clerk
211 S. Ann St
Port La Vaca, TX 77979
512-553-4411
Callahan County Clerk
100 W 4th St, # 104
Barid, TX 79504
915-854-1217
Cameron County Clerk
964 East Harrison
Brownsville, TX 78520
956-544-0815
Camp County Clerk
126 Church St Rm 102
Pittsburgh, TX 75686
903-856-2731
Carson County and District Clerk
501 Main St
Panhandle, TX 79068
806-537-3873
Cass County Clerk
101 E Houston St
Linden, TX 75563
903-756-5071
Chambers County Clerk
404 Washington St
Anahuac, TX 77514
806-647-3338
Cherokee County Clerk
502 N Main St
Rusk, TX 75785
903-683-2350
Childress County Clerk
100 Ave E NW
Childress, TX 79201
940-937-6143
Clay County Clerk
100 North Bridge
Henrietta, TX 76365
940-538-4631
Cochran County Clerk
100 N Main St, # 102
Morton, TX 79346
806-266-5450
Coleman County Clerk
P.O. Box 591
Coleman, TX 76834
972-625-2889
Collin County Recorder
210 S. Mcdonald, Suite 124
Mc Kinney, TX 75069
972-548-4137
Colorado County Clerk
P O Drawer 68
Columbus, TX 78934
409-732-2155
Comal County Clerk
100 Main Plaza Room 104
New Braunfels, TX 78130
512-620-5513
Comanche County Clerk
Courthouse
Comanche, TX 76442
915-356-2655
Cooke County Clerk
County Courthouse
Gainsville, TX 76240
817-668-5421
Coryell County Clerk
7th & Main St
Gatesville, TX 76528
817-865-5016
Cottle County Clerk
9th & Richards, P.O. 717
Paducan, TX 79248
806-492-3823
Crane County Clerk
6th & Alford
Crane, TX 79731
915-558-3581
Crockett County Clerk
907 Ave D
Ozona, TX 76943
915-392-2022
Dallam County Clerk
101 East Fifth
Dalhart, TX 79022
806-249-4751
Dallas County Clerk
500 Main St
Dallas, TX 75202
214-653-7478
Dawson County Clerk
P.O. Box 1268
La Mesa, TX 79331
806-872-3778
DeWitt County Clerk
307 N Gonzales St
Cuero, TX 77954
512-275-3724
Deaf Smith County Clerk
235 East 3rd Rm 203
Hereford, TX 79045
806-363-7077
Delta County Clerk
200 W Dallas Ave
Cooper, TX 75432
903-395-4110
Denton County Clerk
401 West Hickory St
Denton, TX 76201
940-565-8501
Dimmit County Clerks
103 North 5th St
Carrizo Springs, TX 78834
830-876-3569
Donley County Recorder
300 S. Sully
Clarendon, TX 79226
806-874-3436
Duval County Clerk
400 E Gravis
San Diego, TX 78384
512-279-3322
Eastland County County Recorders Office
100 W Main St
Eastland, TX 76448
254-629-1583
Ector County Clerk County Recorders Office
P.O. Box 707
Odessa, TX 79760
432-498-4130
El Paso County Clerks
104 City County Bldg.
El Paso, TX 77901
915-546-2071
Ellis County Clerk
101 W Main St
Waxahachie, TX 75165
972-923-5070
Erath County Clerk
100 W Washington St
Stephenville, TX 76401
254-965-1482
Falls County Clerk
P.O. Box 458
Marlin, TX 76661
254-883-1408
Fannin County Clerk
101 E Sam Rayburn Dr, #102
Bonham, TX 75418
903-583-7486
Fayette County Clerk
151 N Washington St, #103
La Grange, TX 78945
409-968-3251
Fisher County Clerk
P.O. Box 368
Roby, TX 79543
915-776-2401
Floyd County Clerk
P.O. Box 218
Crosbyton, TX 79322
806-675-2334
Fort Bend County
301 Jackson St
Richmond, TX 77469
281-341-8685
Franklin County Clerk
P.O. Box 68
Mount Bernan, TX 75457
903-537-4252
Freestone County Recorder
P.O. Box 1017
Fairfield, TX 75840
903-389-2635
Frio County Clerks
500 E San Antonio St, #6
Pearsall, TX 78061
830-334-2214
Gaines County Clerk
801 Ave H
Shallowater, TX 79363
806-832-4521
Galveston County Clerk
722 Moody St
Galveston, TX 77550
409-766-2200
Garza County Clerk
P.O. Box 366
Post, TX 79356
806-495-3535
Gillespie County
101 Main St
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
830-997-6515
Glasscock County Clerk
P.O. Box 190
Garden City, TX 79739
915-354-2612
Goliad County Clerk
127 N Courthouse Square
Goliad, TX 77963
512-645-3294
Gonzales County Clerk
P.O. Box 77
Gonzales, TX 78629
512-672-2435
Gray County Clerk
205 North Russell St
Pampa, TX 79065
806-669-8004
Grayson County Clerk
100 W Houston St, # 17
Sherman, TX 75090
903-813-4243
Gregg County Clerk 101 East Methvin St
Suite 200
Longview, TX 75601
903-236-8430
Grimes County Clerk
101 S Main St
Anderson, TX 77830
409-873-2662
Guadalupe County Clerk
101 East Court St
Seguin, TX 78155
830-303-4188
Hale County Clerk
500 Broadway Suite 140
Plainview, TX 79072
806-291-5261
Hall County Clerk
C/O Hall County Courthouse
Memphis, TX 79245
806-259-2627
Hansford County Clerk
1 NW Court St
Spearman, TX 79081
806-659-4110
Hardeman County Clerk
P.O. Box 30
Quanah, TX 79252
817-663-2901
Hardin County Clerk Highway 326 Court
House Sq
Kountze, TX 77625
409-246-5185
Harris County County Clerks Office
1001 Preston St, # 400
Houston, TX 77251
713-755-6405
Harrison County Clerks
200 W Houston St Fl 1
Marshall, TX 75670
903-935-4858
Hartley County Clerk
9th & Railroad Ave
Channing, TX 79018
806-235-3582
Hays County Clerk
137 N Guadalupe St
San Marcos, TX 78666
512-396-2601
Hemphill County Clerk
400 Main St 2nd Floor
Canadian, TX 79014
806-323-6212
Henderson County Clerk
P.O. Box 632
Athens, TX 75751
903-675-6140
Hidalgo County Clerk
100 N Closner Blvd Fl 1
Edinburg, TX 78540
956-318-2141
Hill County Clerk
126 S Covington St
Hillsborough, TX 76645
254-582-2161
Hockley County
802 Houston St, # 213
Levelland, TX 79336
806-894-3185
Hood County Clerk
101 East Pearl
Granbury, TX 76048
817-579-3222
Hopkins County Clerk
118 Church St
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-438-4074
Houston County Clerk
P.O. Box 370
Crockett, TX 75835
409-544-3255
Howard County Clerk
300 Main St
Big Springs, TX 79720
915-264-2213
Hunt County Clerk
2500 Lee St
Greenville, TX 75401
903-408-4130
Hutchinson County Clerk
600 Main St, Rm 2ll
Stinnett, TX 79083
806-878-4002
Irion County Clerk
209 N Parkview Ave
Mertzon, TX 76941
915-835-2421
Jack County Clerk
100 Main St
Jackboro, TX 76458
940-567-2111
Jackson County Clerk
115 West Main
Edna, TX 77957
512-782-3563
Jasper County Clerk
101 E Lamar St, # 103
Jasper, TX 75951
409-384-2632
Jefferson County Clerk
1149 Pearl St
Beaumont, TX 77704
409-835-8475
Jim Hogg County Recorders
102 East Tilley
Hebbronville, TX 78361
512-527-4031
Jim Wells County Clerk
200 North Almond St
Alice, TX 78333
512-668-5702
Johnson City Clerk Courthouse Rm 101
P.O. Box 662
Cleburne, TX 76033
817-556-6323
Jones County Clerk
P.O. Box 552
Anson, TX 79501
915-823-3762
Joy Jones County Clerk
100 East Bedford
Dimmitt, TX 79027
806-647-3338
Karnes County Clerk
101 N Panna Maria Ave, # 9
Karnes, TX 78118
512-780-3938
Kaufman County Clerk
County Court House
Kaufman, TX 75142
972-932-4331
Kendall County Clerk 204 E San Antonio St
Suite 2
Boernie, TX 78006
830-249-9343
Kerr County Clerks
700 Main St
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-792-2255
Kimble County Recorder
501 Main St
Junction, TX 76849
915-446-3353
Kinney County Clerks
501 Ann St
Brackett Ville, TX 78832
830-563-2521
Kleberg County Clerk
700 E Kleberg Ave
Kingsville, TX 78364
512-595-8548
Knox County Clerk
P.O. Box 196
Benjamin, TX 79505
940-454-2441
La Salle County Clerk
P.O. Box 340
Cotulla, TX 78014
830-879-2117
Lamar County Clerk
119 North Main
Paris, TX 75460
903-737-2420
Lamb County Clerk
P.O. Box 3
Littlefield, TX 79339
806-385-4222
Lampasas County Clerks
412 South Live Oaks
Lampasas, TX 76550
512-556-8271
Lavaca County Clerks
201 N La Grange
Hallattsalle, TX 77964
512-798-3612
Lee County Clerk
200 S Main St
Giddings, TX 78942
409-542-3684
Leon County Clerk
204 E St Mary St
Centerville, TX 75833
903-536-2352
Liberty County Clerk
1923 Samhouston, #209
Liberty, TX 77575
409-336-4670
Limestone County Clerk
200 W State St
Groesbeck, TX 76642
254-729-5504
Llano County Clerk
801 Ford St
Llano, TX 78643
915-247-4455
Lynn County Clerk
P.O. Box 937
Tahoka, TX 79373
806-998-4750
Madison County Clerk 101 W Main St
Room 102
Madisonville, TX 77864
409-348-2638
Marion County Clerk
P O Drawer "F"
Jefferson, TX 75657
903-665-3971
Martin County Clerk
301 N Peter St
Stanton, TX 79782
915-756-3412
Matagorda County Clerk
1700 7th St
Bay City, TX 77414
409-244-7680
Maverick County Clerk
P.O. Box 4050
Eagle Pass, TX 78853
830-773-2829
McCulloch County Clerk
199 Court House Sq Fl 2
Brady, TX 76825
915-597-0733
McLennan County Clerk
215 North 5th 2nd Blvd
Waco, TX 76703
254-757-5078
Medina County Clerk
100 16th St, # 109
Hondo, TX 78861
830-741-6041
Menard County Clerk
210 E San Saba
Menard, TX 76859
915-396-4682
Midland County Clerk
200 West Wall
Midland, TX 79702
915-688-1070
Milam County Clerk
100 S Fannin Ave Fl 1
Cameron, TX 76520
254-697-6596
Mitchell County Clerk
349 Oak St
Colorado City, TX 79512
915-728-3481
Montague County Clerk
P.O. Box 77
Montague, TX 76251
940)-894-2461
Montgomery County Recorder
300 Main St, #122
Conroe, TX 77301
409-539-7885
Moore County Clerk
715 Dumas Room 105
Dumas, TX 79029
806-935-2009
Morris County Clerk
500 Broadmax
Daingerfield, TX 75638
903-645-3911
Motley County Clerk
P.O. Box 66
Matador, TX 79244
806-347-2621
Nacogdoches County Clerk
101 West Main
Nacogdoches, TX 75961
409-560-7733
Navarro County Clerk
300 W 3rd Ave, # 101
Corsicana, TX 75151
903-654-3035
Nolan County Clerk
100 E Third
Sweetwater, TX 79556
915-235-2462
Nueces County Clerk
901 Leopard St Room 201
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
512-888-0580
Oak County Clerk
P.O. Box 280
George West, TX 78022
512-449-2733
Ochiltree County Clerk
511 S. Main St
Perryton, TX 79070
806-435-8039
Oldham County Clerk
385 Main St
Vega, TX 79092
806-267-2667
Orange County Clerk
801 Division 77630
Orange, TX 77631
409-883-7740
Palo Pinto County
P.O. Box 8
Palo Pinto, TX 76072
940-659-1277
Panola County Clerk
201 Court House
Carthage, TX 75633
903-693-0302
Parker County Clerk
1112 Santa Fe Drive
Weatherford, TX 76086
817-599-6591
Parmer County Clerk
401 3rd St
Farwell, TX 79325
806-481-3691
Pecos County Clerk
103 W Callhan St
Fort Stockton, TX 79735
915-336-7555
Polk County Clerk
101 W Church St, # 100
Livigston, TX 77351
409-327-6804
Potter County Clerks
500 S Fillmore St, # 205
Amarillo, TX 79105
806-379-2275
Rains County Clerk
100 Quitman St
Emory, TX 75440
903-473-2461
Randall County Clerk
401 15th St
Canyon, TX 79015
806-655-6330
Reagan County Clerk
P.O. Box 100
Big Lake, TX 76932
915-884-2442
Real County Clerk
P.O. Box 656
Leakey, TX 78873
830-232-5202
Red River County Clerk
200 N Walnut
Clarksville, TX 75426
903-427-2401
Reeves County Clerk
100 E 4th St, # 101
Pecos, TX 79772
915-445-5467
Refugio County Clerks
808 Commerce #112
Refugio, TX 78377
512-526-2233
Robertson County Clerk
P.O. Box L
Franklin, TX 77856
409-828-4130
Rockwall County Clerk
County Court House
Rockwall, TX 75087
972-771-3382
Runnels County Recorder
800 Courthouse Square
Ballinger, TX 76821
915-365-2720
Rusk County Clerk
115 North Main
Henderson, TX 75653
903-657-0330
Sabine County Clerk
P.O. Drawer 580
Hemphill, TX 75948
409-787-3786
San Agustine County Clerk County Clerks Office
106 Courthouse
San Augustine, TX 75972
409-275-2452
San Jacinto County Clerk
P.O. Box 669
Cold Spring, TX 77331
409-653-2324
San Patricio County
400 W Sinton St
Sinton, TX 78387
512-364-6290
San Saba County Clerk
500 E Wallace St
San Saba, TX 76877
915-372-3614
Schleicher County Highway 277
Courthouse Square
Eldorado, TX 76936
915-853-2833
Scurry County Clerk 1806 25th St
Suite 300
Snyder, TX 79549
915-573-5332
Shackelford County Clerk
200 Main
Albany, TX 76430
915-762-2232
Shelby County Clerk
200 San Augustine St
Center, TX 75935
409-598-6361
Sherman County Clerk
701 N 3rd St
Stratford, TX 79084
806-396-2371
Smith County Clerks
100 North Broadway
Tyler, TX 75702
903-535-0630
Somervell County Clerk
107 N E Vermon
Glen Rose, TX 76043
254-897-4427
Stephens County Clerk
200 W Walker St
Breckenridge, TX 76424
254-559-3700
Stonewall County Clerk
510 S. Broadway
Aspermont, TX 79502
940-989-2272
Sutton County Clerk
300 E Oak, Suite 3
Sonora, TX 76950
915-387-3815
Swisher County Clerk
County Court House
Tulia, TX 79088
806-995-3294
Tarrant County Clerk
100 Weatherford St
Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-884-1064
Taylor County Recorder
P.O. Box 5497
Abilenne, TX 79608
915-674-1202
Terry County Clerk
5th And Main
Brownfield, TX 79316
806-637-8551
Throckmorton County Clerk
105 N Minter
Throckmorton, TX 76483
940-849-2501
Titus County Clerk
100 West 1st St, Suite #204
Mt Pleasant, TX 75455
903-577-6796
Tom Green County Clerks
124 W Beauregard
San Angelo, TX 76903
915-659-6556
Travis County Clerk
1000 Guadalupe St, 222
Austin, TX 78767
512-473-9188
Trinity County Clerk
P.O. Box 456
Groveton, TX 75845
409-642-1208
Tyler County Clerk
100 Courthouse
Woodville, TX 75979
409-283-2281
Upshur County Clerk
P.O. Box 730
Gilmer, TX 75644
903-843-4015
Upton County Recorders
205 East 10th
Rankin, TX 79778
915-693-2861
Uvalde County Clerk
100 N Getty St
Uvalde, TX 78802
830-278-6614
Val Verde County Clerk
400 Pican St
Del Rio, TX 78841
830-774-7564
Van Zandt County Clerk
121 East Dallas, Room 202
Canton, TX 75103
903-567-6503
Victoria County Clerk
115 North Bridge
Victoria, TX 77901
512-575-1478
Walker County Clerk
1100 University Ave, Rm 201
Huntsville, TX 77342
409-436-4922
Waller County Clerk
836 Austin St Room 217
Hempstead, TX 77445
409-826-7711
Ward County Clerks Office
400 S Allen Ave
Monahans, TX 79756
915-943-3294
Washington County Clerk
105 Main St
Brenham, TX 77833
409-836-4300
Webb County Clerk
1110 Victoria
Laredo, TX 78040
956-721-2645
Wharton County Clerk
P.O. Box 69
Wharton, TX 77488
409-532-2381
Wheeler County Clerk
P.O. Box 465
Wheeler, TX 79096
806-826-5544
Wichita County Clerk
900 7th St 76301
Wichita, TX 76307
940-766-8144
Wilbarger County Clerk
1700 Wilbarger St,
Vernon, TX 76384
940-552-5486
Willacy County Clerks
540 W Hidalgo Ave
Raymondville, TX 78580
956-689-2710
Williamson County Clerk
P.O. Box 18
Georgetown, TX 78627
512-930-4315
Wilson County Clerk
1420 3rd St
Floresville, TX 78114
830-393-7308
Winkler County Clerk
101 E Winkler.
Kermit, TX 79745
915-586-3401
Wise County Clerk
101 1/2 North Trinity
Decatur, TX 76234
940-627-3351
Wood County Clerk
211 W Bermuda
Quitman, TX 75783
903-763-2711
Yoakum County Clerk
10th Ave & G St
Plains, TX 79355
806-456-2721
Young County Clerks
512 4th St
Graham, TX 76450
940-549-8432
Zapata County Clerk
7th Ave Hidalgo
Zapata, TX 78076
956-765-9915
Zavala County Clerk
200 E Euvalda St
Crystal City, TX 78839
830-374-2331