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Harris County, Texas marriage license: fee, offices and what to bring

What official pages say about getting a marriage license in Harris County, Texas: the $81 fee, where to go, appointments, ID and who must appear. A fact is linked to the page it was read on.

By Wedding RemedyPublished November 13, 2026

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Harris County marriage license at a glance

Fee: The marriage license fee is $81. Without proof of state residency on a valid ID from at least one applicant, the fee is $181. A Twogether in Texas course certificate takes up to $60 off.

Where to go: Downtown (Harris County Civil Courthouse), 201 Caroline St., 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002, or the 2 other offices in the table below.

Appointment: The official pages we read do not say whether one is needed.

Harris County marriage license: what the office asks for

Issued by the Harris County Clerk's Office, Personal Records Department. The lines below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked November 13, 2026. Fees and hours change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the office before you go.

Fee: The marriage license fee is $81. Without proof of state residency on a valid ID from at least one applicant, the fee is $181. A Twogether in Texas course certificate takes up to $60 off. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)
How to pay: For in-person transactions the clerk accepts U.S. cash, checks, money orders, cashier's checks, and MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express credit cards. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)
Appointment: The official pages we read do not say whether one is needed. Official page
Online application: None stated on the official pages we read. Official page
ID and documents to bring: Each applicant needs a valid ID such as a driver's license, an ID card issued by DPS, a valid passport, a resident alien card, or other U.S. government issued identification. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)
Who must appear: Both applicants can apply in person. If one cannot be present, an Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License must be completed, signed and notarized. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)
Premarital course discount: Couples who present a Twogether in Texas course completion certificate when applying receive up to $60 off the license fee and a waiver of the 72-hour waiting period. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)
Recent divorce: Both applicants must have been divorced 30 days before applying for a marriage license. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)
Active military waiver: The 72 hour waiting period is automatically waived for active military personnel who present an active military ID when purchasing the license. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)

Where to get a marriage license in Harris County

Offices that issue marriage licenses in Harris County, as the official pages list them.
Office	Address	Hours	Source, checked
Downtown (Harris County Civil Courthouse)	201 Caroline St., 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002	Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	cclerk.hctx.net Nov 13, 2026
Baytown Annex	701 W. Baker Rd., Baytown, TX 77521	Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	cclerk.hctx.net Nov 13, 2026
Chimney Rock Annex	6000 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston, TX 77081	Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	cclerk.hctx.net Nov 13, 2026

Applicants can obtain a marriage license at any of the clerk's 11 locations. (Source: cclerk.hctx.net, checked November 13, 2026)

Official links

Harris County Clerk's Office, Personal Records Department: marriage licenses

How Harris County compares with the Texas rule

The fee on the Texas page is this county's own: $81.

Texas 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 a Texas 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)

Texas marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply has the state’s other rules: witnesses, who may officiate, age and certified copies.

Common questions

How much is a marriage license in Harris County, Texas?

The marriage license fee is $81. Without proof of state residency on a valid ID from at least one applicant, the fee is $181. A Twogether in Texas course certificate takes up to $60 off. For in-person transactions the clerk accepts U.S. cash, checks, money orders, cashier's checks, and MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express credit cards.

Where do you get a marriage license in Harris County, Texas?

The Harris County Clerk's Office, Personal Records Department issues it. Downtown (Harris County Civil Courthouse), 201 Caroline St., 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77002 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Baytown Annex, 701 W. Baker Rd., Baytown, TX 77521 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Chimney Rock Annex, 6000 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston, TX 77081 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Applicants can obtain a marriage license at any of the clerk's 11 locations.

Do both people have to be there to get a marriage license in Harris County, Texas?

Both applicants can apply in person. If one cannot be present, an Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License must be completed, signed and notarized.

What do you bring for a marriage license in Harris County, Texas?

Each applicant needs a valid ID such as a driver's license, an ID card issued by DPS, a valid passport, a resident alien card, or other U.S. government issued identification.

Other Texas counties

Texas and planning

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