How to Get a Marriage License in Texas
Texas marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by county (~$70-$85; free/$0 license fee with a Twogether-in-Texas premarital course)
- Waiting period
- 72 hours (waived by: premarital course, military member, judge waiver, or remarrying same spouse)
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Texas is different. under-18 marriage only via court order/emancipation — no parental-consent-only path
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
Couples seeking a marriage license in Texas must apply at the county clerk's office in the county where at least one applicant resides. While residency within that specific county is not required, applicants must present a government-issued photo ID and provide a Social Security number or a sworn statement in lieu. The minimum age to marry without additional permission is 18. Since 2017, Texas has not permitted marriage for those under 18 based on parental consent alone; individuals under 18 may marry only by obtaining a court order removing the disability of minority. Many county clerk offices offer online application options, though the license must be finalized in person.
The marriage license fee varies by county, typically ranging from approximately $70 to $85, though the fee is waived for couples who complete the Twogether-in-Texas premarital course. Texas imposes a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and ceremony; this waiting period is waived for military members, remarrying spouses, couples who have completed an approved premarital course, or those granted a judicial waiver. The issued license remains valid for 90 days. Applicants should confirm the exact current fee structure, eligibility requirements, and application procedures with their county clerk's office or the clerk's official website, as fees are county-set and regulations may change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Texas |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county (~$70-$85; free/$0 license fee with a Twogether-in-Texas premarital course) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | 72 hours (waived by: premarital course, military member, judge waiver, or remarrying same spouse) |
| License validity | 90 days (ceremony must be ≥72 hrs after issuance unless waived) |
| ID required | government photo ID; SSN (or sworn statement) |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; under 18 only via a court order removing the disability of minority (TX ended parental-consent-only marriage, 2017) |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | many counties offer online application; license issued/finalized in person |
| Where to apply | County Clerk (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Texas requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Texas marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.