Texas Marriage License Requirements
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed April 06, 2018
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One of the most important things that a couple must do before getting married is obtaining a marriage license. Just as every state has its own necessary requirements needed for marriage eligibility, each state also has different laws and procedures in place for obtaining a marriage license.
Texas Marriage License Requirements at a Glance
Although the requirements for marriage in Texas aren't very complex, the laws are very detailed and it helps to refer to a condensed version. The chart below provides a short summary of Texas' marriage license requirements including links to the relevant statutes.
Statutes |
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Age requirements |
Age Requirements Applicants for the marriage license must be at least 18 years old to get married without consent. A person under the age of 18 must present the following to the county clerk:
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Residency requirements |
There are no residency requirements. |
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Reasons for denial of the license:
Waiting period: You must wait 72 hours after obtaining the license before you can marry. License expiration The license expires 30 days from date it's issued. Once the license has expired, it can't be used to get married; you will have to apply for a new license. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Texas Marriage License Requirements: Related Resources
Discuss Marriage License Requirements with a Texas Attorney
Getting the marriage license is a necessary component of the marriage process. Although the laws are not very complicated, you want to make sure that you're compliant. Discuss marriage license requirements with a family law attorney today.
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