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Texas marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply

What Texas's official pages say about getting married there: the fee, the waiting period, how long the license lasts, witnesses, officiants, ID and where to apply. Each rule links its source.

By Wedding RemedyPublished October 30, 2026

Editorial standards

Texas marriage license at a glance

Fee: $81 for the standard license; $181 if no applicant shows Texas residency on a valid ID. Waiting period: 72 hours after purchase. Waived with a premarital course certificate, and automatically for active military with military ID. How long it is valid: The officiant should sign the license within 90 days of the date it was issued.

Texas counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Harris County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Texas marriage license rules

The rules below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked October 30, 2026. Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the clerk where you apply before you rely on a rule.

Fee: $81 for the standard license; $181 if no applicant shows Texas residency on a valid ID. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Premarital education discount: A Twogether in Texas premarital course certificate gives up to $60 off the fee and waives the 72-hour wait. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Waiting period: 72 hours after purchase. Waived with a premarital course certificate, and automatically for active military with military ID. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
How long the license is valid: The officiant should sign the license within 90 days of the date it was issued. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Where the license can be used: Check with your county clerk. Official page
Witnesses: Witnesses are not required to buy the license or to attend the ceremony. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Who may officiate: Licensed or ordained Christian ministers or priests, Jewish rabbis, officers of a religious organization authorized to marry couples, and listed judges and justices of the peace. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Officiants ordained online: Not stated here. Ask the county clerk before you rely on an online ordination. Official page
Age: Check with your county clerk. Official page
ID and documents to bring: A valid ID such as a driver license, DPS ID card, passport, resident alien card, or other U.S. government ID. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Where to apply: In person at any of the 11 Harris County Clerk locations. The State Law Library says any county clerk can issue a license. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)
Online application: The State Law Library says many Texas counties offer an online application. Harris County page does not mention one. (Source: guides.sll.texas.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Certified copy of the marriage certificate: Certified or plain copies are made in person at any Harris County Clerk location; by mail, email or fax, contact the Public Records Department. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked October 30, 2026)

Common questions

How much is a marriage license in Texas?

$81 for the standard license; $181 if no applicant shows Texas residency on a valid ID. A Twogether in Texas premarital course certificate gives up to $60 off the fee and waives the 72-hour wait. Texas counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Harris County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Is there a waiting period to get married in Texas?

72 hours after purchase. Waived with a premarital course certificate, and automatically for active military with military ID.

How long is a Texas marriage license valid?

The officiant should sign the license within 90 days of the date it was issued.

Do you need witnesses to get married in Texas?

Witnesses are not required to buy the license or to attend the ceremony.

Who can officiate a wedding in Texas?

Licensed or ordained Christian ministers or priests, Jewish rabbis, officers of a religious organization authorized to marry couples, and listed judges and justices of the peace.

How do you get a certified copy of a Texas marriage certificate?

Certified or plain copies are made in person at any Harris County Clerk location; by mail, email or fax, contact the Public Records Department.

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