How to Tie the Knot in Texas: Get Licensed, Plan a Ceremony, & Make Your Marriage Legal

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An easy step-by-step process for getting hitched in the Lone Star State
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Ding-dong, ding-dong. Is that the sound of wedding bells? We’re here to make your special day easy so you can focus on the love of your life. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting married in Texas. We’ll explain how to get your marriage license, the requirements for marrying in Texas, and how to file your paperwork to make everything legal. With our help, you’ll be walking down the aisle in no time.

Things You Should Know

  • Fill out a marriage license application from your county clerk’s website and go with your partner to the county clerk’s office to turn it in.
  • There’s a 72-hour waiting period after you get your license before you can get married, except for active military and couples who had premarital education.
  • Have your ceremony within 90 days of receiving your marriage license, either at the courthouse or with a qualified wedding officiant.
  • Make sure your officiant fills out your marriage license and returns it to the county clerk’s office within 30 days so that your marriage is recorded.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Obtaining a Marriage License

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  1. Apply for your marriage license at least 72 hours before your wedding. Unless you meet certain requirements, you won’t be able to get married right away. In Texas, there’s a 72-hour waiting period before you can get married. Plan ahead so your wedding goes off without a hitch. [1]
    • You can skip the 72-hour waiting period if you’re in the military and deploying to a hostile zone or you and your partner took a premarital education course. [2]
    • To skip the waiting period and save money on your marriage license, take a premarital education class. To find a class near you, visit the Twogether in Texas website .
    • Same-sex marriages are legal in Texas and the process is the same regardless of the couple's genders. [3]
  2. Use the online application for the county where you’re applying for your marriage license. It’s a super easy form, so it only takes a few minutes. You can submit your application online, but you’ll still need to appear before the county clerk with your partner. [4]
    • Fill out your name, address, birth date and location, and whether or not you’ve gotten divorced in the past 30 days, are married, are delinquent in child support, are related to your partner, or are in the military.
    • After filling out your application online, you and your partner will need to go to the county clerk’s office within 3 days to get your marriage license. If you don’t, your application will leave the queue, and you’ll need to fill it out again.
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  3. In Texas, you have to prove who you are and how old you are before you can get a marriage license. Luckily, you probably have the documents you need within easy reach. Take your social security card and one of the following: [5]
    • Your valid, unexpired driver’s license.
    • Your unexpired government-issued ID (from any state or country).
    • Your passport.
    • Your certified copy of your birth certificate.
    • Your military ID.
  4. Texas has laws to protect children who are being pressured into marriage. As of 2017, people who are under age 18 must get a court-order for emancipation from a judge before they can get married, even if they have permission from their parents. [6] To be emancipated , you must be 17 years old or 16 years old but living separately from your parents, supporting yourself. [7]
    • Each county has its own forms that you’ll need to fill out. Additionally, you’ll have a lawyer appointed to you to help you through the process.
  5. Texas law requires that you and your partner get your marriage license in-person. You and your partner will go before your local county clerk so that the clerk can make sure that you’re the person on your identifying document. Find your county clerk’s office here .
    • Absent Applicant: You or your partner can have someone appear on your behalf with a signed, notarized affidavit from the absent partner, along with an approved ID for the absent partner. However, the absent partner must be at least 18 to use this exception.
    • Military Exception: If both partners are deployed overseas, they’re allowed to both send proxies in their place to apply for a marriage license, as long as the proxies can prove that the couple are both active military. [8]
  6. Marriage license fees are set by each county. They usually cost between $67 and $84, depending on which county issues your marriage license. Payments are typically accepted in cash, debit card, or credit card. [9]
    • Military Benefits: If either partner is active military and deploying to a hostile zone, your marriage license fee will be waived. [10]
    • Premarital Education Class Discount: If you took a premarital education class, you’ll receive a $60 discount on your marriage license fee. [11]
  7. Once the county clerk processes your application, they’ll print out your marriage license right away. It’s time to celebrate because you’re one step closer to walking down the aisle. Snap a pic because you’ll want to remember this special moment. [12]
    • Some county clerk’s offices have a “photo booth” set up where couples can take an Instagram-worthy photo with their marriage license.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Having a Ceremony

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  1. After the county clerk issues your marriage license, it’s valid for 90 days. If you don’t get married before it expires, you’ll have to apply for a marriage license again. Set your wedding date for sometime in that three-month window. [13]
    • If you’re unable to get married for some reason, you can totally get a new marriage license when you’re ready to set a new date. You’ll just have to repeat the process again and pay the fee.
  2. Picking your wedding officiant is a special moment because this person is going to play a special role on your wedding day. You could even ask a friend or family member to get ordained as a wedding officiant so they can do it. In Texas, you can get married by: [14]
    • An ordained or licensed minister or priest.
    • A rabbi.
    • A religious authority of another faith.
    • A judge.
    • A justice of the peace.
  3. Plan your wedding ceremony. In Texas, there are no rules about how you conduct your ceremony. You, your partner, and your officiant can work together to write the ceremony and vows that you’ll exchange. [15]
    • Usually, your officiant will write a draft of what they plan to say for you to look over. If you want to make changes, you can. After all, this is your day!
  4. Unless you’re active military personnel, you must be at your wedding in person for it to be legal. Chances are, you were planning to be there anyway, but we still wanted you to know about this rule. [16]
    • If you’re in the military and deployed to a hostile zone, you can have a proxy stand in for you at your wedding.
    • In the past, incarcerated people could also marry by proxy, but Texas changed its laws. Now, you have to get married in person at the prison. [17]
  5. Have a courthouse wedding for a quick, inexpensive option. Skip all the planning and jump directly to your special day by going before a judge. Some Texas counties require you to schedule an appointment for your wedding, so check your county’s website. [18] In some cases, judges will take walk-ins if their schedule allows. [19]
    • Each judge sets their own fee for conducting a courthouse wedding, but they’re typically pretty low. You can expect to pay around $100.
    • You don’t have to have witnesses for a wedding in Texas, but you’re allowed to invite guests. [20]
    • Ask someone to take photos or hire a photographer.
    • You can always have a reception with your friends and family after your wedding ceremony.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Finalizing Your Marriage

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  1. Congrats on your nuptials! After your wedding ceremony, your officiant will record when you got married and sign off on your marriage. It only takes a few minutes, but it’s super important that you get the license signed. [21]
    • If you picked an officiant who’s done weddings before, they’ll probably do this right away without you asking.
  2. In most counties, you can mail your license or bring it back in-person, depending on what’s easiest for you. The county clerk will process the license when they receive it. Once it’s recorded, you’re legally married. [22]
    • If you’re leaving for your honeymoon right away, mailing the certificate might be your best option. The finalized license might even be waiting for you in your mailbox when you get home!
  3. If you mailed your license, the county clerk will usually return it to you in a few weeks. If you take your license in person, they’ll hand it back to you after recording it. Keep your marriage license because it’s your proof that you and your partner are legally married. [23]
    • Some county clerk’s offices sell commemorative marriage licenses that you can frame. While they aren’t legal, they make a sweet keepsake of your special day.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Getting Common Law Married

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  1. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a couple for a long time to get common law married in Texas because there aren’t any rules about relationship length. Make sure you and your partner meet these requirements: [24]
    • Both partners must be 18 years old.
    • You must agree to be married.
    • You agree to live together as spouses.
    • You represent to others that you’re married.
  2. It’s super easy to get common law married. All Texas counties use the same application. Provide your personal information, and verify that you aren’t related by blood or by marriage. Then, sign on the line agreeing to be married and live together from now on.
    • Leave the bottom of the form blank for the county clerk’s office to fill out.
  3. Like with a normal marriage license, you’ll need to appear before the county clerk with your partner. [25] The clerk will sign off on your informal license and check your ID and age.
    • Find the closest county clerk’s office here .
  4. There’s a low processing fee to complete your application. You’ll pay the fee to the clerk, usually in cash or by debit or credit. Give the clerk your payment, then take your completed license.
    • The fees for an informal marriage license are less expensive than a regular marriage license. Each county sets their own fee, but they’re usually under $50. Some are as low as $32. [26]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I get a marriage license in Texas, but get married in Tennessee?
    Community Answer
    Yes, marriage licenses issued in Texas are valid in any U.S. county, so getting your license in Texas isn't a problem. For your specific circumstance, your Texas marriage license will be valid in Tennessee, or any other U.S. county that you could want to marry in.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 31
  • Question
    Can I marry an undocumented Mexican citizen in Texas?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as person in question has a valid passport from their country of origin. Legal status does not matter when getting married.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 77
  • Question
    Do I need to provide a divorce decree to remarry?
    Community Answer
    It can be helpful to have it with you. I know people who were divorced and then applied for another marriage license some years later in the same county and were never asked for it, I suspect because the court record was easily available to the county clerk. Don't take the chance, best to have it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      • Texas marriage licenses can be used anywhere within Texas. You can also use it to get married on a boat. [27]
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      • Residency and blood tests are not required to get married in Texas. [28]
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      • If you’re divorced, you have to wait 30 days after your divorce is finalized before you can get married again. [29]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dentoncounty.gov/330/Marriage-Licenses
      2. ↑ https://www2.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/cs/8marriage.pdf
      3. ↑ https://texaslawhelp.org/article/same-sex-marriage-in-texas
      4. ↑ https://www.dentoncounty.gov/330/Marriage-Licenses
      5. ↑ https://www.dentoncounty.gov/330/Marriage-Licenses
      6. ↑ https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/SB01705F.pdf
      7. ↑ https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.31.htm#31.003
      8. ↑ https://guides.sll.texas.gov/marriage-in-texas/marriage-licenses
      9. ↑ https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_a_-_c/county_clerk/marriage_licenses.php
      1. ↑ https://bellcountytx.com/county_government/county_clerk/marriage_licenses.php
      2. ↑ https://twogetherintexas.com/UI/HomePage.aspx
      3. ↑ https://www.co.midland.tx.us/181/Marriage-License
      4. ↑ https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_a_-_c/county_clerk/marriage_licenses.php
      5. ↑ https://www.mctx.org/departments/departments_a_-_c/county_clerk/marriage_licenses.php
      6. ↑ https://guides.sll.texas.gov/marriage-in-texas/conducting-the-ceremony
      7. ↑ https://www.bexar.org/2957/Marriage-Licenses
      8. ↑ https://guides.sll.texas.gov/marriage-in-texas/conducting-the-ceremony
      9. ↑ https://www.houstontx.gov/courts/weddings.html
      10. ↑ https://www.traviscountytx.gov/justices-of-peace/jp1/weddings
      11. ↑ https://www.dallascounty.org/government/jpcourts/3-2/wedding-ceremonies-marriage-license-information.php
      12. ↑ https://www.co.midland.tx.us/181/Marriage-License
      13. ↑ https://www.co.midland.tx.us/181/Marriage-License
      14. ↑ https://www.co.midland.tx.us/181/Marriage-License
      15. ↑ https://guides.sll.texas.gov/common-law-marriage
      16. ↑ https://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/cclk.marriage
      17. ↑ https://bellcountytx.com/county_government/county_clerk/marriage_licenses.php
      18. ↑ https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-clerk/birth-death-marriage/marriage-licenses
      19. ↑ https://texaslawhelp.org/article/same-sex-marriage-in-texas
      20. ↑ https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-clerk/birth-death-marriage/marriage-licenses
      21. ↑ https://texaslawhelp.org/article/void-marriages-answers-to-common-questions
      22. ↑ https://texaslawhelp.org/article/same-sex-marriage-in-texas

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get married in Texas, start by appearing with your partner before the county clerk to get a formal application for your marriage license. At this point, you’ll also need to prove your identity and age with a driver’s license, passport, or identification card. Then, pay the fee, which is generally $70-80. After you receive your marriage license, you'll need to wait 72 hours before getting married; however, know that the license will expire after 90 days. When you’re ready to get married, find a judge, minister, priest, or rabbi to perform the ceremony. To learn how to get an absentee license to get married in Texas, keep reading!

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