Texas Marriage Laws
Are you looking to get married in Texas (TX)? Currently San Antonio is one of the hottest spots for a destination wedding in Texas. If you are planning to elope or to have a full destination wedding then contact the Bexar County Courthouse for more details. As always remember that marriage laws very from county to county, so before you start looking at honeymoon packages, you might want to make sure you have all the legal requirements taken care of to receive a Texas marriage license.
Texas Marriage Laws and Requirements
Valid US ID
Texas requires one form of identification as well as a SSN. The only valid IDs accepted are a driver’s license, United States passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a U.S. military ID card, and social security number.
Residency
Neither the bride nor the groom has to be a resident of Texas. This makes Texas a popular destination for either eloping or a destination wedding.
Waiting Period
Yes, there is a waiting period in Texas, so make sure you factor this into your plans. The waiting period is 3 days or 72 hours. The only time the waiting period can be waved is for active military personnel.
Length Marriage License is Valid
Once you have received a marriage license from the state of Texas it is only valid for 30 days. Also, the license can only be used within the State of Texas.
Medical and Other Tests
The state of Texas does not require a medical exam or a blood test.
Age Requirements
The minimum age to apply for a marriage license is 14. Persons between the age of 14 and 17 must have written parental consent or permission via court order. The parental consent must be given on an official document, and signed in front of a county clerk. After the age of 17 there are no stipulations for marrying in the state of Texas.
Marriages by Proxy
Yes proxy marriages are allowed in Texas. Anyone one of legal age may apply in the stead of a prospective bride or groom who can not appear before the county clerk. You will need to contact the county clerk’s office to obtain the correct forms for your proxy marriage. Texas does allow prison inmates to marry. Again there is a special form for prisoners who wish to have a proxy marriage.
Previously Married
The only stipulation for remarrying is in the case of a divorce. In Texas there is a 30 day waiting period for getting remarried. Under certain circumstance the 30 day period can be waived.
Fees and Taxes
Fees range from $31 through $41. As with most states cash is generally required in order to purchase a marriage license.
Marrying a Cousin
Marrying a cousin is not allowed in Texas.
Common Law
There is a provision for a common law or informal marriages.
Same Sex Marriages
Same sex marriage is not allowed in the state of Texas.
Wedding Officiants
Texas provides for a wide range of officiants. You will need to plan ahead to make sure there is an officiant available who provides fulfills any religious requirements you have. In general any member of the clergy can officiate a wedding. Judges, magistrates or a justices of the peace can officiate your wedding.
Miscellaneous
Please leave a comment and let me know if you have any other information that might be useful.
Obtaining a Copy of Marriage Certificate
You must contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics to receive a copy of your Texas marriage certificate.
Premarital Counseling
Texas does not require pre-martial counseling but it is officially encouraged by the state.
Topics: Texas |
May 25th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I do not understand the part regarding back pay on child support. My future husband does have back pack due to a compnay lay- off and it took him five months to regain employment. He has been to court and has been working for almost nine months now. The judge and child support office has him set up where the back pay is with drawn from his check weekly. will this hinder him in getting our licenses?
May 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I am in no way qualified to give legal advice, but I do know that the Texas Marriage license does have a clause that states: “I AM NOT PRESENTLY DELINQUENT IN THE PAYMENT OF COURT-ORDERED CHILD SUPPORT.” The question is a true or false question and must be answered.
This kind of question could easily be answered with a Pre-Paid Legal membership, and if you are interested I could get a representative in touch with you. If you are not interested in that what you would need to do is contact the county clerk office in the county you want to marry in and ask them. My guess would be that if your soon to be husband is working with the court then you are probably okay. I would just call them and ask the question.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
wat if you are 17 and your girl is 15 and we want to get married how would we go about doin that? please respond
March 20th, 2008 at 8:02 am
my question is what are the laws or rules on marrying an inmate in a FCI prison in the state of texas whats the cost and so on can you send me information? thank you
June 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
where would i fine the county clerk offices because they are nit listed on any website that i have visited
July 8th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
If you marry in Texas, do you have to divorce in Texas as well?
July 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am
what do you have to do to marry an inmate in the Texas prison system? could you please send me all the info I will need thank you so much.