How to Get a Marriage License in Houston
－ Congratulations on your union! In this post, I’ll share with you the process of how to get a marriage license in Houston.
Table of Contents
Visit the County Clerk’s Office
Requirements
*Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and am not providing legal counsel or advice. Always double check using the resources in this post.
First, determine your service area and county courthouse. Although the Houston metro is larger than life itself, there are lots of master planned communities and suburban neighborhoods that surround the fourth largest city in the United States. But getting a marriage license in the Houston area doesn’t have to be complicated.
County Clerk’s Office
Visit the county clerk’s office in person. While most Houstonians live in Harris County, other counties surround Houston as well. Some of these include: Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Galveston County.
In most Texas counties, both parties will have to be authorized to marry via the County Clerk’s office. For reference, this is also where you’ll get a copy of birth and death certificates too.
*I’ll post the links to above county clerk’s offices at the bottom of this article for easy access.
Technically, you don’t have to actually live in the county of which you’ll be getting married. In Texas, any county formal license is valid within the State.
However, being a resident in that county does make it easier to return (and retrieve) legal documents. Especially because the license remains on file in the county where it was purchased. Certified copies may be ordered from that county at any time.
Applying for your marriage license
For example, after your ceremony is completed, you’ll need to return the document to the County Clerk’s office in person or by mail. Additionally, some counties (or parishes if you’re in Louisiana) require you to have residency. For instance, if you do not provide proof of residency in Harris County, your license fee will be $174 instead of $74.
In some cases, you or your partner may not be able to be present at the time you submit your application. If that is the case, you’ll need to submit a notarized affidavit to your county clerk’s office. If both applicants are members of the Armed Forces of the United States and are stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation, you may send someone on your behalf with proper documentation.
How to get a marriage license in Houston: Requirements
1. A valid identification (ID) card with proof of age and identity
Examples of a valid ID are:
- state issued ID card
- valid driver’s license
- Passport
- Unexpired military identification card
- Visa
- Certified copy of birth certificate with photo
The full list of acceptable forms of identification can be found at Texas Family Code § 2.005.
2. Pay the license fee
As of June 2022, marriage license fees for Houston area counties are:
Harris County
$74.00 for residents, $174.00 for non-residents or couples who do not show proof of residency at the time of the application.
Fort Bend County
$72.00 application fee payable with cash, debit card*, credit card* (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover), or money order. *Payment made by credit or debit card will be charged a convenience fee based on the amount of the charge ($1.00 minimum).
In Fort Bend County, the marriage license fee may be reduced from $72.00 to $12.00 with valid proof of state approved Premarital Education Course. Premarital Course Options: 2-1-1 Texas | TwogetherinTexas.com
Montgomery County
$67.00. You must also provide social security numbers (if you have them). The card isn’t required. The original marriage license fee must be paid in cash.
3. Complete the application
In Montgomery County, you may speed up the application process by applying online. You may apply in person, however, this is the slowest option.
As for Fort Bend County, the online marriage application is mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
Getting a marriage license if you were previously married
You and your new partner must have been divorced at least 30 days prior to getting remarried.
How soon can you get married after purchasing the marriage license?
There is a 72 hour waiting period in which you must wait after purchasing your license. Additionally, your license should be signed by the officiant no more than 90 days from the date of issuance.
The 72 hour waiting period may only be waived by:
- District or County Court at Law Judge, or
- the County Judge for an applicant who is on active military duty.
Returning the marriage license
In most counties, the person who performs the marriage ceremony is responsible for returning the marriage license to the County Clerk’s Office within 30 days from the date of marriage.
How long does it take to process the marriage license?
After you have submitted your signed marriage license to your county clerk’s office. You’ll have to wait for them to process it. How long it takes to process will depend on when and how you returned the license, as well as which county you live in. Prior to COVID-19, marriage licenses took between 1-2 weeks to process before being returned to you by mail.
Resources for Getting a Marriage License in Houston
Harris County – There are eleven Harris County Clerk Offices from which you can get authorized for your marriage license.
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My name is Niesha Fuentes and I am a wedding photographer based in the beautiful state of Texas. My style is laid back, but professional. I specialize in natural-looking candid elopement and wedding photography. My job is to capture and create timeless memories, so that you can have an unforgettable wedding day experience.