Marriage License

Getting legally married in Texas starts with securing the correct marriage license, and in Tarrant County the process is straightforward once you know the steps. This in-depth guide explains who is eligible, how and where to apply (including the County’s virtual video-conference option), the documents and fees you’ll need, the 72-hour waiting period and its waivers, how informal (common-law) marriage registration works, what to do after your ceremony, and how to request certified copies—tailored specifically to Tarrant County rules and offices.

Start Smart: Know the Two Ways to Marry in Tarrant County

Understand your license choices before you apply

Tarrant County issues two different marriage documents under Texas law, and the path you take depends on your plans:

Formal Marriage License — This is the traditional license most couples use when planning a ceremony. It can be issued by any Texas county and used anywhere in Texas. If you’re planning to wed outside Texas, you’ll still obtain a Texas license but must follow the destination’s marriage rules for the ceremony itself.

Declaration and Registration of an Informal Marriage (Common-Law) — This lets a couple formally register a marriage that already exists by agreement and conduct (you must have agreed to be married, lived together in Texas as a couple after that agreement, and represented to others that you were married). It’s a legal marriage path in Texas with its own eligibility limits.

For official, county-specific instructions, review the County Clerk’s page for Marriage Licenses.

Who Can Apply: Core Eligibility and ID Requirements

Confirm basic qualifications on day one

Whether you pursue a formal license or register an informal marriage, Tarrant County follows these baseline rules:

Age: Both applicants must be at least 18. For minors, Texas law requires a specific court order removing disabilities of minority for general purposes; without that, a license will not be issued.

Appearance: Both applicants must appear together, either in person or, for formal licenses only, together via a County video conference session (details below).

Identification: Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, visa). Your names appear on the license exactly as on your ID—the Clerk’s office cannot alter spelling.

Social Security Number: You must know your SSN (the physical card is not required, but the number is).

No blood test: Texas does not require a blood test.

If you plan to apply via video conference for a formal license, be prepared to complete the Affidavit of Age and Identity as part of the virtual process and ensure you meet the County’s technology requirements (reliable internet plus audio/video capability).

Live or Virtual? Choose the Application Method That Fits

Walk in, book an appointment, or apply virtually (formal licenses only)

Tarrant County offers flexibility:

In-person applications can be completed at the downtown Vital Records Division or any of the neighborhood Vital Records locations during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). You can also book an appointment ahead of time using the Tarrant County Clerk Appointment system—choose “Vitals” as the service to streamline your visit.

Video-conference applications for formal marriage licenses let both applicants meet with the Clerk’s staff online from home. To start the virtual process, use the County’s official Marriage Licenses page and follow the County’s virtual application link and instructions there (you’ll need a computer/laptop with camera and microphone and a solid internet connection).

Tip for speed: Fill out the online application form in advance, then appear together to sign and pay. The County hosts the application securely; access it via Online Application (select the appropriate marriage license option once there).

Fees and Proof of Residency: What to Expect at the Counter

Bring acceptable payment and any residency documents you may need

Tarrant County sets its vital-records fees by schedule, and Texas law imposes an additional $100 fee if neither applicant can prove Texas residency. To avoid that out-of-state fee, bring acceptable proof such as a Texas driver’s license or state ID with a Texas address, voter registration, homestead exemption or property tax statement, vehicle registration, a pay stub or employer letter listing a Texas address, qualifying military orders showing Texas as Home of Record, a benefits letter from a Texas state agency, or a year of Texas utility bills (no P.O. Boxes). The Clerk will review and apply the residency rule at issuance.

Current County fees you’ll encounter:

Formal Marriage License: $76
Reduced fee: $16 if you present a valid premarital education certificate meeting Texas’s “marriage education” requirements (often referred to as “Twogether in Texas” or similar counseling). Bring a printed certificate when you apply and show it again to your officiant.

Informal Marriage (Common-Law) Declaration and Registration: $41

Certified Copy of a Marriage License: $21 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy purchased at the same time (effective Sept. 1, 2024).

For an at-a-glance list of County-set costs across vital services, see the Fee Schedules page.

Timing Rules: 72-Hour Wait, 90-Day Use Window, and Divorce Limits

Plan your ceremony date with Texas timeframes in mind

Texas law builds in a few timing guardrails that directly affect your wedding date:

72-Hour Waiting Period: After your formal marriage license is issued, you must wait 72 hours before the ceremony may occur.
Waivers: The 72 hours do not apply if:
An applicant is on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (present a military ID to the officiant),
You present a 72-hour waiver signed by a Texas District Judge (the officiant keeps the waiver), or
You present a valid premarital education certificate that qualifies under Texas law (bring the printed certificate when you apply and show it to your officiant).

90-Day Expiration: Your license is valid for 90 days from issuance. If you don’t marry within that window, you’ll need a new license—no exceptions.

30-Day Post-Divorce Rule: If either applicant divorced within the last 30 days, Texas imposes a 30-day waiting period before remarriage unless the divorce decree waived that waiting period. If it was waived, bring a certified copy of the decree showing the waiver when you purchase the license.

Formal Marriage License: Step-by-Step From Application to “I Do”

Follow this proven path to a smooth ceremony day

Complete the application (optional but recommended) via the County’s Online Application.

Appear together—either in person at a Vital Records office or together on a County video conference (formal licenses only). Have your government-issued photo IDs ready; your names will be printed exactly as shown.

Present residency proof if applicable to avoid the additional out-of-state fee.

Decide on waivers (if you qualify). Bring your active-duty military ID, District Judge waiver, and/or premarital education certificate if you’re relying on a 72-hour exception or fee reduction.

Pay the fee. The Clerk accepts cash and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). Note: Using a card adds a County-specified percentage processing fee.

Receive your license. Confirm the 90-day deadline and any 72-hour waiting status with the Clerk before you leave.

Hold your ceremony after the 72-hour wait (unless a waiver applies) and within 90 days.

Return the completed license. The officiant must return the signed license to the County within 30 days of the ceremony (see “After the Ceremony” below). Hand-delivery to a Vital Records location can expedite recording.

For comprehensive County guidance and the option to apply by video, revisit Marriage Licenses.

Informal Marriage (Common-Law): Registering a Marriage You Already Have

Verify you meet Texas’s three-part standard

Texas recognizes informal marriage when a couple:

Agreed to be married,
Lived together in Texas as a couple after the agreement, and
Represented to others that they were married.

If that describes you, Tarrant County can issue and record your Declaration and Registration of an Informal Marriage with these added rules:

Both parties must be present together—no absentee affidavits are allowed for informal marriage.

Applicants must be 18 or older—minors cannot obtain an informal marriage license.

You cannot be presently married to someone else.

Fee: $41 (standard card processing surcharge applies if paying by card).

Bring government-issued photo IDs and be ready to affirm the elements of your informal marriage under oath. If you’re unsure whether your facts meet Texas law, speak with a private attorney before visiting the Clerk.

Who Can Officiate: Authorized Individuals Under Texas Law

Line up a legally qualified officiant before you set a date

Texas permits a wide range of officiants. Your ceremony may be conducted by:

Licensed or ordained ministers and priests, rabbis, and other persons authorized by a religious organization to conduct marriage ceremonies;

Texas judicial officers including Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals; District, County, and Probate judges; judges of the County Courts at Law, Courts of Domestic Relations, and Juvenile Courts;

Justices of the Peace (including retired JPs) and retired judges from the courts listed above;

Municipal Court judges; and

Federal judges and magistrate judges serving in Texas.

When in doubt, ask your chosen officiant to confirm their authority under Texas law and ensure they are prepared to complete and sign your license correctly.

After the Ceremony: Returning and Recording Your License

Make recording foolproof to protect your legal rights

Once you’re married and your officiant has completed the license:

Return Deadline: The officiant is responsible for returning the license to the Tarrant County Clerk within 30 days from your marriage date.

How to return: Use the pre-addressed envelope you received or hand-deliver the license to any Vital Records location. If either newlywed hand-delivers the license to one of the County’s eight locations, recording can occur while you wait, avoiding mail delays.

Mailing address (if needed): Tarrant County Clerk, 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth, TX 76196.

If you don’t see your license returned by mail in a reasonable time after recording, you can check the public index; see Marriage License Search and select “MARRIAGE” from the dropdown to locate your record.

Certified Copies: When and How to Order an Official Record

Order in person, by mail, or electronically

Most newlyweds will need certified copies to update names or benefits. In Tarrant County, certified copies of marriage licenses issued and filed here are available:

In person: Visit any Vital Records office; bring ID and payment.

By mail: Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order payable to “Tarrant County Clerk,” and include the date of marriage and the full names of both parties as they appear on the license.

Electronically: Use the County’s official site to search and purchase an electronic certified copy.

Before requesting, you can verify that the record exists to avoid a $20 statutory search fee if no record is found. Start at Official Records Search and choose “MARRIAGE.”

For copy options and current fees (effective Sept. 1, 2024: $21 first copy, $11 each additional purchased at the same time), consult Certified Copy of a Marriage License.

Absent Applicant and Proxy Ceremonies: Narrow, Military-Specific Rules

Know when one applicant may apply alone—or appear by proxy

Texas law allows limited exceptions when one person cannot be physically present:

Absent Applicant for license issuance: The County can accept an application from one applicant using an absentee affidavit only if the other applicant appears to apply in person (or both appear together via video for a formal license).

Both applicants absent: The County cannot issue a license if both applicants are absent unless both applicants are members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation.

Proxy ceremony: A person may consent to marriage through a proxy named in the statutory affidavit only if that person is (1) a member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation and (2) unable to attend the ceremony.

If you believe one of these situations fits you, ask the Clerk for the Absentee Affidavit and carefully follow the form’s instructions. (Browser security settings can affect editing PDF forms; download the file if your browser won’t allow inline editing.)

Minors and Marriage: Post-2017 Court-Order Requirement

Expect stricter oversight for applicants under 18

Texas law changed on September 1, 2017. If an applicant is under 18, Tarrant County will require a court order issued under Texas Family Code Chapter 31 removing the disabilities of minority for general purposes. Minor applicants must also show a certified birth certificate along with current school ID, driver’s license, or state ID. Without that order, a license will not be issued—whether formal or informal.

Where to Go: Vital Records Locations and Hours

Pick the office that’s most convenient

All marriage license services are available at the downtown Vital Records Division and seven neighborhood locations. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. For maps, directions, and any updates to lobby hours or service availability, consult Vital Records Locations.

If you prefer to reserve a time, schedule through the Tarrant County Clerk Appointment system (select “Vitals”).

Helpful Extras: Search Tools, Appointments, and Official Vital Records Info

Use County tools to plan, confirm, and follow up

Search before you buy: To confirm that your filed license is in the system (or to locate the record when ordering certified copies), visit the County’s Marriage License Search page and select “MARRIAGE.”

Appointments: Cut wait time by booking at Tarrant County Clerk Appointment and selecting Vitals as the service.

Vital Records overview: For broader information about vital services, hours, and what IDs to bring, see Vital Records.

Practical Checklist: What to Bring and What to Do

Arrive prepared to avoid second trips

Valid photo IDs for both applicants (names will print exactly as shown).

Knowledge of Social Security numbers for both (card itself not required).

Residency proof (if avoiding the out-of-state applicant fee): Texas ID, voter registration, homestead or property tax record, vehicle registration, 12 months of TX utility bills, qualifying military orders, state-issued benefit confirmation, or similar proof—no P.O. Boxes.

Documentation for waivers or discounts, if applicable:
Active-duty military ID (72-hour wait exemption).
District Judge 72-hour waiver (officiant retains it).
Premarital education certificate (reduced fee and 72-hour exception; bring printout to the Clerk and to your officiant).
Certified divorce decree with waiver (only if remarriage within 30 days of a divorce).

Payment: Cash or card (note County’s card processing percentage).

Return plan: Confirm with your officiant how the signed license will be returned within 30 days—and consider hand-delivery to a Vital Records office to expedite recording.

Frequently Missed Points that Delay Weddings

Avoid these common pitfalls

Cutting the 72-hour timing too close: If you don’t meet an exemption, don’t schedule your ceremony fewer than three full days after issuance.

Name mismatches: The license prints exactly as your ID shows. If you recently changed your name but your ID hasn’t, update your ID before applying or expect the old spelling on your license.

No residency proof when needed: If neither of you has acceptable Texas proof, the $100 out-of-state applicant fee applies.

For informal marriage, trying to use an absentee affidavit: It isn’t allowed—both must appear together, and minors are not eligible.

For divorces finalized within 30 days, forgetting the waiver page: Without it, you may be legally unable to marry until the 31st day.

What Happens to Your License After Filing

From “returned” to “recorded” to “available for certified copies”

Once the Clerk receives your signed license and records it:

The County adds the record to the official index.

Your original, recorded license is mailed to you unless you hand-delivered it and the office returned it to you on the spot.

Certified copies can then be purchased in person, by mail, or electronically. See Certified Copy of a Marriage License for step-by-step instructions and current fees.

Contact and Service Windows You Can Trust

Hours, phone, and official channels

Office hours for marriage license issuance and vital records services are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

For service locations and the main Vital Records phone line, use Vital Records Locations to confirm addresses, hours, and any updates.

To view the County’s general marriage license page, application options, and virtual appointment details in one place, start at Marriage Licenses.

One More Planning Note for Destination Weddings

Using a Texas license outside Texas

If you intend to hold your ceremony outside Texas, you may still obtain a Tarrant County (Texas) formal marriage license, but you must comply with the destination’s ceremony rules. Contact the appropriate state office, consulate, or embassy for that location’s marriage requirements well in advance. Your Texas-issued license remains subject to the 72-hour and 90-day Texas timing rules unless you qualify for an exemption.

Marriage License–Related Offices and Locations (Addresses & Phone)

Tarrant County Clerk — Vital Records Division — 200 Taylor St., 3rd Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — Phone: 817-884-1550

J.D. Johnson Northwest Subcourthouse — 6713 Telephone Rd., Suite 202, Lake Worth, TX 76135 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Southlake Town Hall — 1400 Main St., Suite 140, Southlake, TX 76092 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Charles F. Griffin Building — 3212 Miller Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76105 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Dionne Phillips Bagsby Southwest Subcourthouse — 6551 Granbury Rd., Suite 110, Fort Worth, TX 76133 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Arlington Subcourthouse — 700 E. Abram St., Suite 101, Arlington, TX 76010 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Gary Fickes Northeast Subcourthouse — 645 Grapevine Hwy, Suite 120, Hurst, TX 76054 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Mansfield Subcourthouse — 1100 E. Broad St., Suite 102, Mansfield, TX 76063 — Phone: 817-884-1550

Tarrant County Marriage License FAQs

Who must appear and what identification is required?

Both applicants must appear together—either in person or, for formal licenses only, together via video conference. Each person must present a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, or visa). Names print exactly as shown on the ID, and the Clerk cannot alter spelling. You must also know your Social Security number; no blood test is required. See full requirements under Marriage Licenses.

Is a video-conference application available and who qualifies?

Yes—formal license applicants who meet the standard requirements may apply via a County video session using a computer with internet, microphone, speakers, and webcam. During the virtual process, you’ll complete the Affidavit of Age and Identity and present IDs on camera. Start from Marriage Licenses and follow the County’s virtual option.

What fees apply, and how do residency and education affect cost?

The formal marriage license fee is $76; it’s reduced to $16 with a qualifying premarital education certificate presented at issuance. An additional $100 Out-of-State Applicant fee applies if neither applicant can prove Texas residency (examples include Texas ID, voter registration, vehicle registration, homestead, or 12 months of Texas utility bills; no P.O. Boxes). Informal (common-law) declaration/registration costs $41. Current government rates are listed on the Fee Schedule.

What timing rules affect when we can marry?

After issuance of a formal license, Texas law imposes a 72-hour waiting period. It can be waived if an applicant is on active U.S. military duty, a District Judge signs a waiver, or you present a qualifying premarital education certificate. The ceremony must occur within 90 days of issuance. Recently divorced applicants generally must wait 30 days to remarry unless the decree waives that period. Details appear on Marriage Licenses.

How are licenses recorded, and how do we obtain certified copies?

The officiant must return the completed license to the County within 30 days. Certified copies (for records issued and filed in Tarrant County) are available in person, by mail, or online; effective Sept. 1, 2024, fees are $21 for the first copy and $11 for each additional purchased at the same time. Order and verification options are outlined at Certified Copy of a Marriage License; you can confirm indexing through Marriage License Search. For in-person services and hours, review Vital Records Locations.