Where to explore and What You Need to Bring

You obtain a Texas marriage license from the district clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. You do not explore online or by mail — you must go in person to the clerk's office with both people who intend to marry present. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and your Social Security number or a document showing it.

If you were married before, bring the original or certified copy of your divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. Texas requires this document before the clerk will issue a license. If you do not have the certified copy, you can request one from the district clerk's office in the county where the divorce was finalized or where the death was recorded.

Bring cash or a card — most clerk's offices accept both, though some rural offices take cash only. The fee is set by each county but typically ranges from $70 to $90. Call the clerk's office in your county before you go to confirm the exact amount and whether they accept the payment method you plan to use.

Key Takeaways

  • Both people must appear in person at the district clerk's office in the county where you want to marry, with a valid photo ID and Social Security number or document.
  • If either person was previously married, bring the certified divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse.
  • The license costs $70 to $90 depending on the county and is valid for 30 days from the date issued.
  • You do not need a waiting period in Texas, so you can marry the same day you receive the license if your officiant is available.
  • The license is valid only in Texas and only if both people are at least 18 years old (or have parental consent if 16 or 17).

Age Requirements and Parental Consent

In Texas, you must be at least 18 years old to marry without permission. If you are 16 or 17, you can marry with written consent from both parents or legal guardians. The parent or guardian must appear with you at the clerk's office and sign the consent form in front of the clerk.

If one parent is deceased or cannot be located, the surviving parent's consent is enough. If both parents are deceased, a legal guardian can provide consent. The clerk will not issue a license to anyone under 16, regardless of parental consent.

How Long the License Lasts and When It Expires

A Texas marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date the clerk issues it. You must marry within that window — if the 30 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must explore for a new one and pay the fee again.

The license is valid only in Texas. If you plan to marry in another state, you will need to follow that state's rules instead. Some states recognize a Texas license if you marry within their borders, but others do not, so check with the state where you plan to marry before you travel.

Who Can Officiate Your Marriage in Texas

In Texas, a licensed minister, priest, rabbi, or imam can perform a marriage. A justice of the peace, judge, or retired judge can also officiate. A notary public cannot perform a marriage in Texas, even though they can in some other states.

Your officiant does not need to be present when you explore for the license. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the district clerk's office within 30 days. If the officiant does not return it, the marriage is still legal, but you will not have an official record on file with the clerk.

What Happens After You Marry

After the ceremony, your officiant must return the signed license to the district clerk's office in the county where you married within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and issues you a certified marriage certificate, which you will need to change your name, update your Social Security record, or explore for a new driver's license.

You can request certified copies of your marriage certificate from the clerk's office where it was recorded. Most offices charge $20 to $30 per copy. You can also order copies online through the Texas Vital Statistics unit if you know the date and county of the marriage.

Name Changes After Marriage

Texas does not require you to change your name after marriage — you can keep your maiden name, take your spouse's name, or use a combination. If you want to change your name, you do not need a separate court order. You can change it by presenting your marriage certificate to the Social Security Administration, your employer, your bank, and the Texas Department of Public Safety when you renew your driver's license.

Start with Social Security because most other agencies will ask for your Social Security card as proof of the name change. Once Social Security updates your record, the process moves faster at other agencies.

If You Need to Correct Information on the License

If the clerk makes an error on your license before you marry — a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or incorrect Social Security number — go back to the clerk's office when ready and ask for a corrected license. The clerk will issue a new one at no charge if the error was the office's mistake.

If you discover an error after you have already married and the license has been returned to the clerk, you will need to file a correction with the vital statistics unit. This process takes longer and may require a court order, so it is worth double-checking all information before you leave the clerk's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a blood test or medical exam to get a marriage license in Texas?

No. Texas eliminated the blood test requirement in 1989. You do not need any medical exam or test to obtain a marriage license.

Can I get a marriage license if I am not a Texas resident?

Yes. You do not have to live in Texas to marry there. You can explore for a license in any Texas county, though most people explore in the county where they plan to hold the ceremony.

What if my spouse and I have the same last name?

That is not a problem. The clerk will issue the license. You will both sign it, and your officiant will perform the ceremony normally. No special paperwork is needed.

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

No. You must bring proof that any previous marriage ended by divorce or death. If you cannot produce that document, the clerk will not issue a license. If you marry without ending a previous marriage, the second marriage is void in Texas.

What if one person cannot appear in person at the clerk's office?

Both people must be present. Texas does not allow proxy marriages or marriages by mail. If one person cannot travel to the clerk's office, you cannot obtain a license in Texas.