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] X Research source 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] X Research source
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] X Research source 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] X Research source
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.
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.
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.
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] X Research source
Military Benefits: If either partner is active military and deploying to a hostile zone, your marriage license fee will be waived. [10] X Research source Premarital Education Class Discount: If you took a premarital education class, you’ll receive a $60 discount on your marriage license fee. [11] X Research source
Some county clerk’s offices have a “photo booth” set up where couples can take an Instagram-worthy photo with their marriage license.
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.
An ordained or licensed minister or priest. A rabbi. A religious authority of another faith. A judge. A justice of the peace.
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!
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] X Research source
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] X Research source Ask someone to take photos or hire a photographer. You can always have a reception with your friends and family after your wedding ceremony.
If you picked an officiant who’s done weddings before, they’ll probably do this right away without you asking.
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!
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.
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.
Leave the bottom of the form blank for the county clerk’s office to fill out.
Find the closest county clerk’s office here.
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. [27] X Research source
