Where to explore and What You Need to Bring

You explore for a marriage license at the district clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. Texas does not have a state-level marriage license office — each of the 254 counties runs its own. If you are marrying in Harris County, you go to the Harris County District Clerk. If you are marrying in Travis County, you go to the Travis County District Clerk. Find your county clerk's office online by searching "[your county name] district clerk marriage license" or visiting the Texas State Law Library's county clerk directory.

Bring these documents in person: a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), your Social Security number, and proof of any previous divorces or annulments (a certified copy of the final divorce decree or annulment order). If you were widowed, bring a certified death certificate. Both people getting married must appear together at the clerk's office — you cannot send someone else to explore on your behalf.

The clerk will ask you basic information: your full legal name, date of birth, current address, and whether you have any living children from previous relationships. Answer truthfully. False statements on a marriage license process are a Class B misdemeanor in Texas.

Key Takeaways

  • explore at your county's district clerk office in person with both people present, not online or by mail.
  • Bring a valid photo ID, Social Security number, and proof of any previous divorce or death of a spouse.
  • The license costs between $60 and $75 depending on your county and takes effect when ready after you pay.
  • The license is valid for 30 days from the date issued, so plan your wedding within that window.
  • You do not need a waiting period, blood test, or premarital counseling in Texas.

Cost and How Long the License Lasts

The fee ranges from $60 to $75 depending on which county you explore in. Some counties charge $60, others $65 or $75. Call your county clerk's office to confirm the exact amount before you go, so you know whether to bring cash, a check, or a card. The clerk will tell you which payment methods they accept.

Once you pay, the license is valid when ready. You do not have to wait. You can marry the same day if you have an officiant ready. The license remains valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. If you do not marry within that 30 days, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again.

Who Can Legally Marry You

In Texas, a licensed officiant must perform the ceremony and sign the license. Licensed officiants include ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other clergy members recognized by their faith. They do not have to be registered with the state — their ordination by their religious organization is enough.

A justice of the peace can also marry you. Every Texas county has justices of the peace, and they are authorized to perform marriages. You can find the justice of the peace office in your county courthouse or online. Some justices of the peace perform marriages for a small fee (often $20 to $50), and some do it free.

A friend or family member cannot legally marry you in Texas unless they are ordained or a justice of the peace. If someone without legal authority signs your license, the marriage is not valid.

What Happens After the Ceremony

After you marry, the officiant or justice of the peace signs the license in front of you and your witnesses (Texas requires at least one witness, though two is common). The officiant then returns the signed license to the county clerk's office — usually within a few days, though the important date is 30 days.

Once the clerk receives the signed license, they file it and the marriage becomes part of the public record. You can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the clerk's office after that. Certified copies cost $20 to $25 per copy depending on the county. You will need certified copies to change your name, update your Social Security record, or add a spouse to insurance or bank accounts.

Name Changes and What Comes Next

If you want to change your last name after marriage, you do not need a separate court order in Texas — your marriage certificate is enough. Take a certified copy of your marriage certificate to the Social Security Administration office to update your Social Security record, then to your bank, employer, and insurance companies.

To change your driver's license or state ID, go to your local Texas Department of Public Safety office with your certified marriage certificate and your current ID. There is no fee to update your name on your license. If you want to keep your current last name, you do not have to do anything. Texas does not require either person to change their name after marriage.

Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed or Rejected

The most common reason for delay is missing or incorrect identification. If your photo ID is expired, some county clerks will still accept it as long as it is a government-issued ID. However, if your name on your ID does not match the name you are providing at the clerk's office, the clerk will ask for an explanation or additional documents. Bring any legal name-change documents (divorce decree, court order) if your current ID does not match your legal name.

A second common issue is incomplete information about previous marriages. If you say you were divorced but cannot produce a certified copy of the divorce decree, the clerk may ask you to obtain one before issuing the license. This can take a few days to a few weeks depending on how quickly the court that handled your divorce can send the certified copy. Plan ahead if you know you will need this document.

Age is also checked. In Texas, you must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. If you are 16 or 17, you can marry with written consent from both parents or a legal guardian, but the process is more complex and requires additional paperwork. If you are under 16, you cannot marry in Texas.

What You Do Not Need

Texas does not require a blood test, medical exam, or proof of vaccinations to get married. You do not need premarital counseling or a waiting period. You do not need witnesses to explore for the license (though you will need at least one witness at the ceremony). You do not need to publish a notice of intent to marry in a newspaper. You do not need parental consent if you are 18 or older.

You also do not need to register your marriage with any state agency beyond the county clerk's office. Once the clerk files your signed license, your marriage is recorded. There is no separate registration step or additional paperwork required after the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for a marriage license online or by mail?

No. Both people must appear in person at the county clerk's office. You cannot mail in an process or use an online form to get a marriage license in Texas. Some county clerks offer online appointment scheduling so you do not have to wait in line, but you still have to show up in person on the scheduled day.

What if one of us lives in a different state?

You still explore in the Texas county where you plan to marry. Bring a valid photo ID from your home state — Texas accepts out-of-state driver's licenses and IDs. If you do not have a photo ID, bring a passport. The clerk does not care where you live, only that you have valid identification and meet Texas marriage requirements.

Do I need to change my name on my Social Security record before or after I get the marriage license?

After. You cannot change your name with Social Security until you have a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Get the license, marry, receive the signed license back from the clerk, request a certified copy, and then take that certified copy to the Social Security office. The whole process usually takes two to four weeks.

What if my county clerk's office is closed when I need to explore?

County clerk offices are open during normal business hours, usually Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some offices have extended hours one evening per week. Call ahead to confirm hours and ask if you need to schedule an appointment. If you are getting married on a weekend, explore during the week before the ceremony.

Can I get a marriage license if I am already married to someone else?

No. The clerk will ask whether you are currently married, and if you say yes, they will not issue a license. If you were previously married, you must have a certified copy of your divorce decree or annulment order showing that the previous marriage ended. Bigamy is a felony in Texas.