Texas marriage license, at a glance
- License fee
- $76–$81 (varies by county)
- Waiting period
- 72 hours (3 days)
- Witnesses
- None required
- License valid for
- 90 days
Courthouse wedding in Texas
What you need to marry at a courthouse in Texas: the license fee, waiting period, ID and witness rules. Last verified October 14, 2026 against official sources.
More Texas rules
| Fee discount | Up to $60 off the license fee, and the 72-hour wait is waived, for couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course. |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Required identification | Both applicants must appear in person with a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport and similar). |
| Residency requirement | No Texas residency requirement, but a $100 out-of-state applicant fee applies if neither applicant can prove Texas residency. |
| Who can perform the ceremony | A licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest, a Jewish rabbi, an officer of a religious organization authorized to conduct marriages, or a current, former or retired federal or state judge. |
Fees and procedures can differ by county. Always confirm with the clerk who will issue your license.
Where to apply
- Harris County Clerk, Personal Records Department, Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline, Suite 330, Houston, TX 77002 (11 locations countywide) Official page
- Travis County Clerk, Civil Family Courthouse, 1700 Guadalupe St., 4th Floor, Ste 4.300, Austin, TX 78701 Official page
- Tarrant County Clerk, Tarrant County Plaza Building, 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301, Fort Worth, TX 76102 (also subcourthouses in Mansfield, Hurst and elsewhere) Official page
The full Texas guide
A printable PDF with the step-by-step process, a day-of timeline, a checklist and a budget sheet for Texas.
Questions couples ask
How much does a marriage license cost in Texas?
The marriage license fee in Texas is $76–$81 (varies by county).
Is there a waiting period for a courthouse wedding in Texas?
The waiting period in Texas is 72 hours (3 days).
Do you need witnesses to get married at a courthouse in Texas?
Witnesses in Texas: None required.
How long is a marriage license valid in Texas?
A marriage license in Texas is valid for 90 days.
Sources
Every rule above comes from an official page. We check these pages again every month.
- www.cclerk.hctx.net: Marriage license fee, Fee discount, Required identification, Witnesses, Where to apply
- www.tarrantcountytx.gov: Marriage license fee, Waiting period after the license is issued, License valid for, Minimum age, Required identification, Where to apply
- countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov: Marriage license fee, Where to apply
- statutes.capitol.texas.gov: Waiting period after the license is issued, License valid for, Minimum age, Who can perform the ceremony
- www.tarrantcountytx.gov: Residency requirement
This is an informational guide, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with your county clerk.