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REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE

1.  Both applicants shall appear together before the County Clerk and/or Deputy County Clerks.

2.  Each applicant shall submit proof of identity and age.  Acceptable forms of identification:  (a) unexpired driver's license with correct name and birth date; (b) any document issued by this state, another state, the United States or a foreign government (license, passport, etc.) providing the document includes a photo, the correct name and birth date; (c) certified copy of birth certificate (if the person is over 18, an additional form of ID must be presented along with a certified copy of the birth certificate.  For those under 18, the only proof of ID and age that can be used is a certified copy of birth certificate.)

3.  If an applicant is under 18 years of age, he/she must have parental consent.  If parents are divorced, a court document is required showing custody, managing conservator or legal guardianship.

4.  Each applicant must submit their Social Security number.

5.  Neither party can have been divorced in Texas within the previous 30 days.

6.  Applicants cannot be related to each other by blood or adoption.

7.  The fee for the license is $82.00.

THE MARRIAGE LICENSE EXPIRES AT THE END OF THE 90 DAY PERIOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DATE THE LICENSE IS ISSUED IF THE CEREMONY HAS NOT BEEN CONDUCTED WITHIN THAT PERIOD.

THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY MAY NOT TAKE PLACE DURING A 72 HOUR PERIOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE UNLESS AN APPLICANT IS A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES AND IS ON ACTIVE DUTY OR A JUDGE WAIVES THE 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD FOR GOOD CAUSE.  SEE SEC. 2.204, V.T.C.A. FAMILY CODE.

Licenses issued Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  The office is closed on legal holidays.  Please allow approximately 25 minutes for issuance of the license.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING AN ABSENT APPLICANT AFFIDAVIT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY - FOR ACTIVE MILITARY ONLY

The Affidavit of Absent Applicant is to be used to apply for a Marriage License when one party is unable to appear in the County Clerk's Office.  Please read the following instructions carefully before completing the Affidavit.  Print or type all information that is requested on the attached Affidavit and Statement.  The absentee party must return the completed Affidavit and Statement to the party they wish to marry.  Both parties desiring to marry must be in full compliance with the information that follows, or the application will be denied.

1.  The party who will not be able to appear in the County Clerk's Office must complete and sign this form in the presence of a Notary Public.  The form must be notarized.  A title and/or name must be printed or typed below the Notary's signature.  ALL BLANKS ON THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETED.

2.  The names of both parties must be printed exactly as they appear on the identification that will be used to obtain the Marriage License.

3.  If absent applicant will be unable to attend the ceremony, the appointment of any adult, except the other applicant, to act as proxy for the purpose of participating in the ceremony must be noted on the form.

4.  The applicant must present and acceptable form of identification for both parties that states the correct name and birth of each applicant.

5.  No waiting period for active duty military and a Military ID must be submitted with the Affidavit along with an additional form of identification.

6.  If either party has been divorced within the last 30 days, please contact the County Clerk's Office for more information.

7.  If either party is under 18 years of age, please contact the County Clerk's Office for more information.

AFFIDAVITS EXPIRE 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.  PLEASE ALLOW 25 MINUTES TO ISSUE LICENSE.

UNDERAGE APPLICANT

A person under the age of 18 and over the age of 16 is considered an underage applicant.  Persons younger than 16 may not apply for a marriage license even with parental consent.  A County Clerk may not issue a marriage license to a person at least 16 years of age but under 18 unless he/she has parental consent.  The minor must present a certified copy of their birth certificate and the parent signing must present valid ID, which proves they are the parent of the minor child.

Parental consent must be evidenced by a written declaration on a form provided by the County Clerk.  Parental consent must be given by one of the parents providing they are still married to each other.  If the parents are divorced, then the parent having Managing Conservatorship must sign and provide a certified copy of the divorce decree, which states this fact.

A County Clerk may require whatever documentation he/she deems necessary to ensure parental consent is valid.