Texas Marriage License

Texas marriage license application

Are you living in or planning on getting married in the second largest U.S. state, Texas?

Well, if you’re reading this, then chances are you fit into one of those 2 categories and have made the perfect location choice for your marriage ceremony.

This beautiful state is steeped in history and American tradition making it very memorable backdrop to tie the knot with your partner to be.

To make ensure that everything runs smoothly on your special day you’ll need to organize the marriage licensing details ahead of time.

All U.S. states abide by their own unique set of marriage laws and regulations, so the Texas marriage license application process may be slightly different from what you are used to; this is especially true for people that aren’t permanently based there.

To help make your marriage day a stress free event and an enjoyable one for all of your friends and family, here are the main requirements for a Texas marriage license:

Cost of marriage license

All couples will have to face a minimum waiting period of 3 days, while their marriage license applications are processed. The only exception is given to soldiers; if one or both of you are required to serve in active duty for your country, either overseas or locally then the process can be sped up.

The Texas marriage license application will cost you between $31 and $71 all inclusive, the price will vary between those figures depending on which part of Texas you plan on marrying each other.

You’ll be happy to know that as of September 2008 the government has decided to waive this fee for couples that willingly take part in an 8-hour pre-marital course that deals with marriage management and gives partners necessary skills for dealing with common issues experienced by newly weds.

Texas Marriage License Requirements

To marry in Texas you don’t have to be a resident there, but you will need to present one form of identification from your home state; this can be a driver’s license, U.S. Passport, Military ID card, a certified birth certificate or your current social security card.

In Texas couples are now strongly encouraged to take part on pre-marriage educational courses, these classes usually last only 4 hours or so and can be taken at anytime prior to your application.

It is not enforced by law, but it is recommended for couples wanting to get married in Texas State, as some licensing offices have been known to turn down applicants for not having enrolled in these courses.

If you have recently divorced there is a mandatory 30 day waiting period before you can get remarried, you are usually asked to show an officially certified copy of your divorce certificate showing the date and government stamp of approval when going for your Texas marriage license application.

Couples under the age of 18 are still allowed to marry, but they need to have written consent in front of an official third party at the registry office. If this is not a possibility then the couple to be married can seek approval from a judge at a Texas district court.

Texas also recognizes and allows informal or common law marriages, for two people to enter into this type of agreements they have 2 options available (you must be 18 or over to be informally married):

They can visit the county clerks office and swear a standard oath in the presence of a witness.
The couple can simply live together in Texas and make an agreement with one another that they are married.