County Clerk: Marriage License
Tarrant County Clerk
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Chisholm Trail Mural
 

Marriage License

 

If you are applying for a marriage license please note the following requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Both parties must appear in person
  • Must have valid, picture driver’s license, state ID or passport
  • Know social security number
  • Must wait 72 hours after license is issued before being married
  • Must get married within 30 days from day license is issued
  • The fee is $71.00 Cash, MasterCard or Visa (add 3% processing fee for credit card use)

Marriage Licenses can be obtained at the Tarrant County Plaza or sub-courthouses

The hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Location Maps

Fee Schedule

ONLINE APPLICATIONS

Marriage applications may also be started online. Once the application is submitted, the applicants must come to the office to pay the required filing fee and then obtain their license.

https://ccanthem.co.tarrant.tx.us/Marriage/MarriageApplication.aspx

 

 

MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 

FORMAL REQUIREMENTS

A man and a woman desiring to enter into a ceremonial marriage must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk of any county of this state.

INFORMAL MARRIAGE (COMMON LAW) INFORMATION

The man and woman agreed to be married and after the agreement, they lived together in this state as husband and wife and they represented to others that they were married.

  • A person under 18 years of age may not: (1) be a party to an informal marriage; or (2) execute a declaration of informal marriage, under section 2.402
  • A person may not be a party to an informal marriage or execute a declaration of an informal marriage if the person is presently married to a person who is not the other party to the informal marriage or declaration of an informal marriage, as applicable.
  • A declaration of informal marriage must be signed on a form prescribed by the Bureau of Vital Statistics and provided by the County Clerk.
  • All necessary documents must be submitted to the clerk.

NEEDED DOCUMENTS

1.     Proof of Date: when you began living together as husband and wife.

2.     Proof of Address for both Parities.

3.     If divorced, certified copy of Divorce Decree

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants should be 18 years or older with valid identification. Applicants under the age of 18 must have a certified copy of their (long form) birth certificate issued in the last 10 years.

The minimum age for marriage in Texas with parental consent is 16.  Parents listed on the long form birth certificate must be present and give written consent.  The consenting parent must provide some form of government identification such as a valid driver's license.  If the natural parents are divorced, the parent given custody must be present, and give written consent, and present a certified copy of their custody papers. 

Judicial approval is required for anyone under the age of 16 to marry. Individuals who are 16 and 17 must have judicial approval or parental consent.

Blood test or health certificates are not required to obtain a license.

A license will be issued to persons who may be delinquent for payment of court-ordered child support.

There is a 30-day waiting period after a divorce is granted within this state. An applicant may apply for a license within the 30 days if the court issues a waiver in the divorce decree.

ACQUIRING A LICENSE

The marriage license fee $71.00 in cash or credit card (small processing fee applicable).

     As of September 1, 2008, couples who go through the State of Texas approved   Marriage Education Class (House Bill 2685) will not have to pay the $60 State portion of their marriage license fee.  For more information on obtaining a marriage license with Certificate visit the Twogether in Texas website.

USING MAIDEN NAME ON MARRIAGE LICENSE

If you have been divorced and retained your maiden name in the divorce, but your identification has your married name, bring in a certified copy of the divorce decree that states your name was changed back to your maiden name.

IF PREVIOUSLY MARRIED

If your divorce was finalized within the last 30 days, you must provide a certified copy of the divorce decree stating the judge has waived the 30-day waiting period.  If you do not have that waiver, you will have to wait 30 days before you can apply for another marriage license. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Both parties must appear to apply.

Absentee Affidavits can be completed if one party is unable to appear personally before the County Clerk to apply for a marriage license.  Applicants must meet the qualifications listed on the Affidavit instructions that accompanies the Application of Absent Applicant Affidavit Form.

 

Application of Absent Applicant Form & Instructions

WAITING PERIOD

According to Texas Family Code, Chapter 2 sec. 2.204 of the Texas Family Code, the marriage ceremony may not take place during a 72-hour period immediately following the issuance of the marriage license unless:  (a) an applicant is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States and is on active duty, or (b) an applicant obtains a waiver from District Court, or (c) applicants possess a valid Twogether in Texas Certificate.

In accordance with 2.201 of Texas Family Code, Expiration of License, effective April 17, 1997, the Marriage License will expire the 31st day following the date of issuance.

Marriage license have a 72-hour waiting period - unless waived due to active duty military status or court order.

UNDER 18

  • A Certified Copy of Birth Certificate
  • Social Security card.
  • If parents are married, one parent has to appear to sign for the underage individual and they must have a valid ID.
  • If the parents are divorced, the parent with managing conservatorship must have a Certified Copy of the Court Order, and valid ID.  If the conservatorship is "joint" (both parents) then both parents must present valid ID.
PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT CEREMONY
 
Licensed or ordained Christian Ministers and Priests, Jewish Rabbis, or persons who are officers of religious organizations; and who are duly authorized by the organization to conduct marriage ceremonies; Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Justices of the Court of Civil Appeals, Judges of the District, County and Probate Courts, Judges of the County Courts at Law, Courts of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts, Justices of the Peace, and Judges & Magistrates of the Federal Courts.

 



Content Last Modified on 10/7/2009 2:25:57 PM
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