Q&A for How to Get Married in Texas

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.

Yes, as long as person in question has a valid passport from their country of origin. Legal status does not matter when getting married.

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.

You are officially married. The license is returned to you in the mail by the county clerk. You can then get as many certified copies as you need. Every government office, including drivers license and social security, will want a copy, as well as your banks, employers and insurance companies. Check with your county clerk to see how much the certified copies will cost. Keep the original in a safe place. It is the only one you'll get.

No, the papers are the only thing that count. It is your wedding, if you don't want to have a whole ceremony you don't have to. But if your fiance wants a ceremony, well it's his/her wedding too. You might want to agree on spending the money on a beautiful honeymoon instead of a few-hour ceremony.

Yes, the waiting period is 72 hours from the time you obtain the marriage license.

No. Some counties provide space for "optional" witnesses to sign, but not all. This is why the couple must both apply for the license together.

That's fine. You'll still need a marriage license and an appointment at the courthouse.

Then the license is invalid, because it didn't reach the Governor to sign for validation of the marriage. You've wasted money to pay for the license (price varies by state; in MN its about $100), and on top of that your partner may be very upset.

In Texas, the license is valid in all counties, regardless of what county it was applied for in.

You can still get the license and use it in a different state, as it will still be valid. Or, getting a license in your home state before you go could be an option.

After the ceremony concludes, the person who conducts the marriage should record the date and county where the ceremony was performed on the license, and you return it to the county clerk who issued it no later than the 30 days after theceremony is conducted.

Appear before the clerk at the county clerk's office, also called the "Marriage License Bureau."

It depends on you. If you feel like it's just a waste of money and your partner agrees, then what's the point. If you want wedding rings and your partner agrees with you, go ahead. On the other hand, if your partner wants wedding rings and you don't, look for a compromise, but don't push your ideas aside if you haven't told him or her. Just because you think he or she may not agree.

Yes, if you're getting married in another country. Otherwise, no, but you do need identification to obtain a marriage license.

Yes, you can do that. All you need to do is purchase the license and go to the court.

No. Identification must be current and valid as well as not altered, damaged, or destroyed to be accepted.

Yes, you can be married on any day up to 90 days after obtaining the marriage license, as long as the 72 hours have also passed after obtaining the marriage license.

Yes. If you get divorced in Texas and wish to get remarried in Texas, there is a 30 day waiting period before you may apply for a marriage license.

You will have to go back to the county clerk's office to get a replacement.

You can get married in the state of Texas any day at any time up to the 90 days after the marriage license was purchased.

If your partner was born in Mexico, they must have a valid passport from their country of origin in order to marry a US citizen.

Yes, it is possible if you are prepared and not picky about the details regarding the wedding.

No, you do not have to have a Texas ID.

Yes. If widowed it is required to present a death certificate in order to re-marry.

Yes; there is the Twogether in Texas certificate as well. This will exempt you from state fees (and the 72-hour period), then you only have to pay a county fee.

Yes. The Texas marriage license is valid in all states, but is only valid for 90 day after the issue date.

No, you don't. While a passport is a valid possible form of ID, it is not required.

You can also use a state-issued identification, a certified birth certificate or a military ID card to prove your identities.

No. You will need to obtain a license in the city/town where you plan to get married. Most countries have residency requirements, so make sure you check. I got married in Scotland, which is the easiest country to get married in. Just contact the local registrar, and they will tell you what documentation you need.