How to Get a Marriage License in Texas in just 4 steps
- Dr. Liliana Wolf
- Jan 2
- 6 min read
Planning your wedding is like preparing for an unforgettable journey that you’ll soon embark on. But like in most journeys, there are some steps you need to take before setting off. Getting a marriage license is the first one.
You’ll probably want to get married the same day you obtain your license. However, in Texas, you have to forgo a mandatory 72–hour waiting period after receiving a marriage license before heading to a wedding venue.
Three days can stretch forever when you’re in love. Still, there’s no need to run to another state to get married: there is a state-issued exception that not only allows you to marry right away, but also saves you $60 on your license fee.
In this guide, we’ll review the requirements for applying for a marriage license in Texas, explain the details of the three-day waiting period, and show how the premarital course Twogether in Texas can be your greatest ally in getting married faster, smarter, and cost-effectively.
This guide will also address the cost of marriage license in Texas and what savvy Texans do to save time and money.
Did I get your attention?
Let’s get started then.
What are the Requirements for a Texas Marriage License?
To apply for a marriage license in Texas, you have to fulfill a number of requirements that ensure legal compliance and allow the county clerk to verify identity, age, and prevent void marriages. They are also necessary for record-keeping purposes.
These requirements are:
In-Person appearance. Both parties must appear together before the county clerk to apply for a Texas marriage license. Some counties also have online application options.
Valid identification. Applicants must present proof of identity, with a valid government-issued photo ID. For instance, their driver’s licenses, passports, or military IDs.
Social Security Number. If available, the SSN must be provided. Showing the card isn’t always mandatory.
Legal age. Parties must be at least 18 years of age. For individuals under 18 to marry, you need a court order of emancipation, as parental or guardian consent alone isn’t enough.
Post-divorce period. If either party has been recently divorced, they must wait 30 days before obtaining a new marriage license. A judge may rule to waive this waiting period if requested.
Paying the fee. Marriage licenses in Texas range from $75 to $82, depending on the county.
There’s no residency requirement to obtain a marriage license in Texas. However, out-of-state couples may have to pay an additional fee.
Fan of a good to-do list? Here’s a treat for you: The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License in Texas?
Marriage licenses in Texas are typically approved the same day. Once it has been issued, it will be valid for 90 days, 3 of which you’ll be sitting on the edge, waiting for the 72–hour period to be finally over.
This waiting period is mandated by Texas Family Code § 2.204. It is intended to give couples time to reflect on the commitment that comes with marriage, as a way to prevent impulsive weddings and reduce annulment and divorce rates.
However, you can dodge this requirement and get married the same day if:
You request a waiver for a good cause, and a judge decides to approve it.
One of the parties is an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces and presents valid military identification.
You present a certificate of completion from a state-approved premarital education course.
While being deeply in love and in a hurry is a perfectly valid reason to want to get married as soon as possible, the judge may not consider it sufficient grounds to waive the 72-hour waiting period. And after going through the effort of locating a judge and applying for a waiver, a denial is likely the last thing you want to hear.
Premarital courses, such as the Twogether in Texas program, on the other hand, are a practical, risk-free solution for most couples looking for a quick, seamless wedding… And has other benefits as well.
Waiver method | Who is eligible? | Process | Outcome |
Active-Duty military | Active members of the U.S. armed forces. | Show your military ID at the county clerk’s office | Waiting period waived |
Judicial waiver | Any couple | File a “Waiver Application,” locate a judge, and demonstrate “good cause” | Subject to the judge’s discretion. Can be time-consuming |
Twogether in Texas course | Any couple | Complete an 8-hour state-approved course and present the certificate | Waiting period waived + $60 fee reduction |
Better than Free: How to Save Money & Time With Twogether in Texas
Most couples can waive the mandatory waiting period by taking a Texas State-approved premarital course and presenting the certificate of completion at the clerk’s office.
These courses prepare couples for long-term commitment and also serve as preventive counseling, allowing the state-mandated 72-hour waiting (and reflection) period to be satisfied through a self-paced 8-hour course, 100% online.
Once couples complete the course, they are registered with the state program. Then, the State of Texas issues an official Certificate of Completion, valid for one year. Certificates are forwarded twice a day, 7 days a week, guaranteeing that couples get theirs in the most timely manner.
But the benefits of these courses go beyond waiving the waiting period. The Twogether in Texas program not only provides you with the tools and skills to start your marriage on the right foot, but also waives the State portion of the marriage license fee.
A marriage license in Texas typically costs between $71.00 and $82.00, depending on the county where you apply. The $60.00 state marriage fee is waived upon completion of a premarital course, reducing the total cost to $11.00–$22.00. In other words, you only pay the county fee.
Premarital courses, such as Dr. Liliana Wolf’s 5-star-rated Twogether in Texas, typically cost between $23.97 and $29.97. With the $60 state-fee discount, couples can achieve a net savings of approximately $36.03–$31.03. Total out-of-pocket cost is no more than $50.00, less than without the course.
Without a course | With the Twogether in Texas course | |
License cost | ~$80.00 | ~$20.00 (after the $60 discount) |
Waiting period | 72-hour waiting period | Waived |
Course cost | $0.00 | ~$23.97–$29.97 |
Total cost (license + course) | ~$80.00 | ~$43.97 |
Total net savings | -- | ~$36.03–$31.03 |
Curious about what you’ll learn? Contact us or read our guide on what is covered in a marriage preparation course in Texas to find out.
Can I Apply for a Texas Marriage License Online?
In-person appearance is one of the most challenging requirements when applying for a Texas marriage license. Legal procedures and travel to the clerk’s office take time, and sometimes you simply don’t have enough of it.
Most Texas counties allow you to apply for a marriage license online and bring the application with you when you meet the county clerk. In-person appearance is still required, but the process is significantly less time-consuming.
Since 2021, county clerks have also had the option to issue marriage licenses via videoconference under S.B. 907. However, adoption of this measure is limited to certain counties, Tarrant County being one of them.
Your Marriage License in Texas, in 4 Steps
Looking forward to getting your marriage license as soon as possible?
Start by waiving the three-day waiting period with an eight-hour Texas premarital course.
Complete your county’s online pre-application. After this, your marriage license will be nearly at hand 💖.
Contact your local clerk’s office to ask about remote marriage license issuance via videoconference under S.B. 907.
If this option is available, schedule a videoconference. If not, attend the county clerk's office when it suits you best.
Next step? Head to the wedding venue, and get ready to celebrate
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Texas Marriage Certificate?
While a marriage license is typically issued on the day you apply, receiving the marriage certificate takes a bit longer.
When the ceremony has finished, the officiant (the person who performs the wedding) has up to 30 days to sign and return the completed marriage license to the county clerk.
Once the clerk receives it, the license is officially recorded in the county’s records. After the recording, it typically takes 10–12 days for the couple to receive an official certified copy of their marriage certificate by mail.
This certificate is the document used for most legal purposes. Keep in mind that it is not the same as the Marriage Verification issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which is a separate document and typically takes 20–25 business days to process.
Love Doesn’t Wait. What About You?
Time goes differently when two people are in love. A year passes in minutes, but a 72–hour waiting period can stretch to an eternity.
Don’t wait three days to get married. Explore Dr. Liliana Wolf’s state-approved premarital course, self-paced and 100% online, designed to guide couples through this special moment.
Engage in 8 hours of quality time getting to know yourself and your partner, laying a strong foundation for your life together…and saving a little extra money to celebrate two-gether in Texas.
Dr. Liliana Wolf, psychotherapist, former professor of psychology and international relationship expert, has been preparing couples for marriage at her Coral Gables office for over 20 years. Favored by couples about to be married, her courses have achieved a consistent 5-star rating, positioning her in the top 1% in sales of online courses by the Teachable platform worldwide. Ranked at the top 1% in the specialty of marriage and family nationwide by HealthGrades, Dr. Wolf is at the top of her game both as a clinician and professor.