Find a Texas County Clerk Near You
Search by ZIP code to find the closest Texas County Clerk offices for your marriage license — anywhere in the state.
Getting your license in Harris County specifically?
See our dedicated Harris County guide — office locations, fees, hours, and absent-applicant options.
Texas County Clerk Finder
Enter your ZIP code to find nearby Texas County Clerk offices by distance.
Texas lets you obtain your marriage license from any county in the state.
Texas County Clerk Finder provided by The Courthouse Wedding Chapel in Houston.
Getting married in Houston? Explore ceremony options at The Courthouse Wedding Chapel.
Texas Marriage License Guide
Everything you need to know to get your license and marry in Texas
Steps to Get Your License
Find the Most Convenient Texas County Clerk Office
Use our County Clerk Search to locate a marriage-license office that works best for you. Your Texas marriage license does not have to come from Harris County.
Find a County Clerk Near YouCheck the issuing county's application requirements and bring the required identification
Pay the marriage license fee (fees vary by county)
Wait 72 hours (military exemptions and judicial waivers available)
Have your ceremony within 90 days
Requirements Checklist
Procedures vary by county. Many offices require both applicants to appear in person, while some counties offer remote or absent-applicant options.
Any Texas County Can Issue Your License
It doesn't have to be the county where you live or where your ceremony takes place. Official resources for counties near Houston are below.
Use the County Clerk FinderCounty Marriage-License Resources — Houston Region
Your Texas marriage license can be issued by any county in the state and is valid statewide. Each county runs its own process, fees, and hours; below is each county's official resource with only the details we could verify on their own pages.
Verify current requirements with the issuing County Clerk. Procedures, fees, hours, and appointment policies change and vary by county.
Fort Bend County
- County Clerk issues Formal Marriage Licenses and Declarations of Informal Marriage
- Formal license fee listed at $71, reduced to $11 with proof of a qualifying state-approved premarital course
- Appointments are available but not required for license issuance
- Multiple County Clerk office locations
Montgomery County
- Applications can be started online before visiting in person
- Licenses issued at the Conroe main office and the East and South County annexes
- County Clerk states no appointment is needed to apply
- License fee $60 plus $10 records management (Jan 2025 fee sheet); $60 waived with Twogether in Texas certificate
- Payment in cash only — no checks or money orders
Brazoria County
- Online marriage application available in advance — keep your request number
- Recording and Vitals Department located at 237 E. Locust, Suite 102, Angleton
Galveston County
- County Clerk publishes marriage license requirements and an Affidavit of Absent Applicant form
- Affidavit for Correction of Marriage License also available
Chambers County
- Both applicants sign the application in the presence of the County Clerk, with limited statutory exceptions
- County Clerk's office is in Anahuac
Liberty County
- Served from the Liberty Courthouse and the Cleveland Courthouse Annex
- Marriage license application can be started online; ID must still be presented in the office
Waller County
- Marriage license application hours listed as 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
- Both applicants apply in person with proof of identity and age
Austin County
- County Clerk publishes an accepted-ID list and an online application starting point
Links go to official county websites. We are not affiliated with any county government office.
Chapel vs. Justice of the Peace — What's the Difference?
Both can make your marriage official. The experience is what differs.
✨ Our Chapel
- Private, decorated chapel
- Up to 50 guests welcome
- Professional photography available
- Bilingual ceremony (English/Spanish)
- Dedicated, personalized chaplain
- Music, flowers & décor included
- No waiting — scheduled appointment
- Veteran-led business
⚖️ Typical Government Ceremony Setting
- Government office or courtroom setting
- Ceremony format and availability vary by court
- Guest policies vary by court
- Photography policies vary by court
- Language options vary by court
- Decor and music may be limited by the facility
- Scheduling and wait times depend on the court
- Designed primarily as a government service, not a private wedding venue
Veteran-Led Business
Recognized by Google. Serving Houston couples since 2014.
Your Marriage License Is Handled With Care
You can trust me to handle your marriage license carefully, complete it properly, and return it to the issuing county clerk for recording.
Chaplain Pat is a licensed and ordained minister, Certified Chaplain, Texas Notary Public, Certified Notary Signing Agent, background-screened professional, and experienced wedding officiant trusted by more than 5,000 couples.
View enlarged sampleSample Harris County marriage license — personal and transaction-specific information removed for privacy. The printed instructions direct that original licenses should be returned by the officiant for recording.
Educational example only. Marriage-license forms and county procedures may change; confirm current requirements with the issuing county clerk.
Ready to schedule your ceremony?
You do not have to wait until everything feels complicated. Choose your package, pick your date, and we’ll guide you through the next step.
Save $60: The Texas Twogether Premarital Course
Texas offers two significant benefits to couples who complete an approved 8-hour premarital course through the Texas Twogether program: your marriage license fee is reduced by $60, and the mandatory 72-hour waiting period is waived entirely. The course covers communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning.
Bring your completion certificate to the County Clerk's office when applying for your license.
Out-of-State or Out-of-Country? You Can Still Marry Here
Texas has no residency requirement. Anyone — from any U.S. state or any country — can obtain a marriage license in any Texas county and marry anywhere in the state. Your license is valid statewide for 90 days. International couples should bring a passport; a Social Security number is not required for non-citizens.
Same-Sex Marriage in Texas
Same-sex marriage has been fully legal in Texas since 2015. All couples follow the exact same license process and have identical rights. We proudly celebrate all love at our chapel.
Common-Law (Informal) Marriage in Texas
Texas is one of the few states that recognizes informal (common-law) marriage. To establish one, both partners must (1) agree to be married, (2) live together in Texas as spouses, and (3) represent themselves to others as married. Couples can also file a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's Office for legal documentation.
Accepted Forms of ID
- Driver's license from any U.S. state
- State-issued ID card
- U.S. or foreign passport (valid)
- Military ID (active, reserve, or retired)
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Mexican Consular ID (Matrícula Consular)
If previously married, bring your final divorce decree or the deceased spouse's death certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a marriage license in Texas?
Apply at a Texas County Clerk's Office. Check the issuing county's application requirements and bring the required identification (driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID) and the marriage license fee. Procedures vary by county. Many offices require both applicants to appear in person, while some counties offer remote or absent-applicant options.
How long is a Texas marriage license valid?
90 days from the date of issue, including the 72-hour waiting period. If you don't get married within 90 days, your license will expire.
Do I have to wait 3 days after getting my license?
Yes, Texas has a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before your wedding. Exceptions: • Active military members (including Reserves & National Guard) • Waiver from a judge for special circumstances • Completion of a state-approved premarital education course
Can I apply for my marriage license online?
Application procedures vary by county. Some counties require in-person application, while others may offer remote or absent-applicant options. Check with the County Clerk office you plan to use.
How much does a marriage license cost in Texas?
Fees vary by county. Completing a state-approved premarital course can reduce your fee.
Do I need a witness for a Texas marriage license?
No witnesses are required to apply for or sign a Texas marriage license.
Can I get married the same day I get my license?
Only if you are active military or get a waiver from a judge. Otherwise, you must wait 72 hours before having your ceremony.
Can I get married in Texas with an out-of-state marriage license?
No, you must have a Texas-issued marriage license for a legal ceremony in Texas.
Does Texas allow same-sex marriages?
Yes! Same-sex marriage is legal in Texas.
Does Texas recognize common-law marriages?
Yes, Texas recognizes common-law (informal) marriages. To prove one, a couple must: • Agree that they are married • Live together in Texas as a married couple • Represent themselves publicly as married Couples can also file a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's Office.
Getting Married in the Houston Area?
Once you have your Texas license, you can marry anywhere in the state — including our Houston chapel.
Book Your Ceremony