Marriage license · Texas
How to Get a Marriage License in Texas
Everything Texas couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $71–$83 (varies by county) |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) |
| License valid for | 90 days |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| ID required | Photo ID + Social Security number |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any County Clerk |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Texas, you apply at any county clerk.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + social security number for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most Texas offices charge $71–$83 (varies by county) per license.
- Wait the required 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 90 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Texas?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Texas license is good for 90 days and can't be used until 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any county clerk. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Texas. |
| Earliest you can apply | 90 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Texas
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Texas couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $71–$83 (varies by county) |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Texas
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Texas driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Texas couples make
- Applying too early. A Texas license expires after 90 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Texas before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Texas
Premarital course (8 hours) waives the 72-hour wait and saves $60.
Wedding costs in Texas
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Texas metros:
- Average wedding cost in Austin — $38,000 average, $165 per guest
- Average wedding cost in Dallas — $36,000 average, $155 per guest
- Average wedding cost in Houston — $35,000 average, $150 per guest
- Average wedding cost in San Antonio — $30,000 average, $135 per guest
Common questions specific to Texas
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Texas?
- In Texas the marriage license fee is $71–$83 (varies by county). Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Texas?
- Yes — Texas requires a 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Texas marriage license valid?
- A Texas marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Texas?
- Yes — many Texas counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Texas?
- Yes — Texas requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Texas?
- No — Texas does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Texas?
- Yes. Texas issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any county clerk and allow for the 72 hours (waivable for active military, court order, or with premarital course) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Texas it costs $71–$83 (varies by county) and is valid for 90 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Texas?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Texas DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states