Texas Marriage Records

Recent data shows that Texas has a marriage rate of 5.8 marriages per 1,000 residents, slightly lower than the national average of 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people. The state began keeping statewide marriage records in 1966. Before this, marriage records were maintained locally at the County Clerk's Offices where the marriage license was obtained.

Texas marriage records are legal documents detailing information about individuals entering a marriage. Marriage records in Texas comprise marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• Marriage license: This is a legal document obtained by intending couples from the county clerk's office before a wedding ceremony. Marriage licenses authorize couples to get married, setting the legal grounds for the wedding. After the wedding, the couple, the officiant, and a witness sign the marriage license and return it to the county clerk's office. Marriage licenses contain the legal names of the couple, ages, county and date of issuance, license number, validity period, and applicant signatures. There are two types of marriage licenses in Texas- Formal marriage license and Informal marriage license.
• Formal Marriage License: It is the traditional way of obtaining a marriage license in Texas. It involves applying for a license from the county clerk's office, having an official wedding ceremony, and returning the same to the clerk's office to obtain a marriage certificate.
• Declaration of Informal Marriage License: Also called Common-Law marriage, does not require a formal wedding. Both parties who have been living together as a couple may apply to the clerk's office to make their common-law marriage official by filing a "Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage. This document officially registers their common-law union.
• Marriage Certificate: A marriage certificate is the official record, serving as legal proof that the marriage took place. After the wedding, the marriage license is returned and recorded at the Clerk's Office, which becomes the permanent legal record of the marriage. Marriage certificates contain the full legal name of the couple, date and place of marriage, county of marriage, officiant details, certificate number, filing date, and the state's official seal.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Texas?

Texas marriage records are accessible through the Texas Department of State Health and Human Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Section (VSS) and the County Clerk's offices across the state.

• Before 1966, all marriage records were kept at the county level only.
• Between 1966 and 2005, Texas began registering and indexing marriage records by year at the Texas Health and Human Services-Vital Records Section.

However, while the state made it easier to look up marriage records from 1966 onwards through organized indexes, the official documents that prove a marriage remain with the county clerk's offices.

Therefore, to order a copy of a marriage record, identify the county where the marriage was held. You may visit the county website to fill out a downloadable or online form. The downloaded form may be submitted in person or by mail. You may also visit the county clerk's office to apply for the record in person. Some counties may provide online record searches on their websites to look up marriage records.

Most counties require record seekers to provide the following information:

• A valid means of identification
• The full names of the couple
• The date of marriage
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Texas?

Marriage records are generally considered public records in Texas. This means that once a marriage is legally recorded, it becomes part of the public record and is open to the public per the Texas Public Information Act. While marriage records are accessible to anyone, obtaining a certified copy of marriage records may be restricted to the individual named on the record, immediate family members, or persons with verifiable interest. Generally, sensitive personal information is redacted on the copies issued to non-authorized requesters.

How Much Do Texas Marriage Records Cost?

Certified copies of marriage records are issued by the county clerks' offices where the marriage took place. Therefore, each county has its own fee schedules and processing times. However, most Texas counties charge around $15 to $25 to obtain certified copies of marriage records. Some counties offer expedited processing for an extra fee, typically around $10 to $15. Similarly, expected delivery for standard processing is between 4 to 6 weeks, while expedited orders may take up to 2 to 3 weeks.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Texas?

Marriage records are considered public records. Consequently, when a marriage is recorded, it is open for public inspection. To this end, Texas does not provide any medium to make your marriage record confidential or seal it from public view.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Texas Marriage Records?

Marriage records serve diverse purposes. Therefore, verifying the authenticity of the record is crucial. Marriage records become useful when applying for visas or citizenships, tax and insurance benefits, or confirming the legal rights of a spouse, especially in inheritance matters. They are also useful when updating your name after marriage or confirming the legal union before processing a divorce.

Therefore, to verify the authenticity of your Texas marriage records, you may contact the county clerk's office where the marriage license was issued. Although the Texas DSHS -VSS provides access to search indexes of marriage records, verifying their authenticity requires contacting the appropriate county clerk's office. The key features of certified marriage records in Texas include the signature of the county clerk, the date the marriage license was issued, officiant information, personal details of spouses, and an embossed seal from the county clerk's office.

Can I Find Texas Marriage Records Online for Free?

Marriage records accessible at the county clerk's office are typically not free. However, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section provides indexed online searches for marriage records for free.

Accessing marriage records online for free is also possible through several non-governmental sources, especially for older records. FamilySearch.org permits free searches for marriages consummated between 1837 and 2010. Also, third-party websites like Publicrecords.us offer detailed state-by-state marriage records and make them freely available online. However, third-party platforms may require subscriptions or limited free access for newer records.

What Is Required to Get a Texas Marriage License?

The following are required to get a Texas marriage license:

• All applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. Individuals aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent.
• Persons under 16 require a court order to obtain a marriage license.
• Parties must be present at the courthouse to obtain the license.
• A valid means of identification for both parties.
• A certified copy of the divorce decree if either applicant has been divorced within the last 30 days.
• Attend a premarital education course of at least eight hours. The course may be completed within a year of applying for the marriage license.
• The couple must have been living together in Texas as a married couple for common law marriages.

The cost of a marriage license in Texas varies per county, typically ranging from $60 to $85. The fee is reduced to around $22 if the couple completes a state-approved premarital education course. Per Section 2.204 of the Texas Family Code, there is a mandatory 72-hour waiting period from the date the license is issued where the marriage ceremony may not take place. Once issued, a marriage license is valid for 90 days. If the marriage is not conducted within this period, the couple must obtain a new license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Texas?

Yes. Some errors on marriage records in Texas may be amended. Misspellings in the names of applicants, incorrect dates, or other inaccuracies in personal information on marriage records may be amended. Generally, supporting documents, such as birth certificates or court orders, may be submitted to substantiate the requested changes.

Amending Texas Marriage License

Where an error is identified on the marriage license by either partner before the marriage ceremony, you may correct the error by contacting the issuing county clerk's office. Usually, both parties are required to complete the Amendment to a Recorded Marriage License form and execute a notarized affidavit stating the error. The county clerk files and records it as an amendment to the marriage license. The fees and processing times to amend marriage licenses vary per county.

Amending Texas Marriage Certificate

Correcting an error on a marriage certificate in Texas involves a formal process managed by the Texas DSHS VSS. The process begins by obtaining the amendment form. Ensure no cross-outs, white-outs, or correction tape when completing the form. Provide valid documents to substantiate the requested correction and include a copy of an acceptable ID for both spouses.

The application to amend marriage records may be submitted in person or by mail. Walk-in orders are processed the same day, while mail orders are processed within 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited orders are processed and mailed within 20 to 25 business days. The physical and mailing address is as follows:

Marriage certificates are also amenable at the courthouse where the original marriage certificate was issued.