Getting married is one of the biggest commitments two people can make.
But before you can legally tie the knot, you'll need to obtain a marriage license from your local government office.
If you live in Houston, Texas, or the surrounding area, here's what you need to know about getting a marriage license in Harris County.
The Significance of the Marriage License
A marriage license is a legal document issued by the county clerk's office that allows a couple to get married within a certain period and geographic area.
Without a valid marriage license, a couple's wedding ceremony has no legal standing. The marriage license serves as official proof that two consenting adults have the legal right to become married.
Marriage License Versus Marriage Certificate
It's important to understand the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate. A marriage license grants permission for the marriage to occur, while a marriage certificate officially records that the marriage took place as prescribed by law.
After wedding ceremonies, officiants complete and return the signed marriage license to the county clerk's office. The clerk then uses that information to generate an official marriage certificate—the permanent record of the couple's union.
Getting Your Texas Marriage License
In Harris County, apply for your marriage license from the county clerk's Personal Records Department at 201 Caroline, Suite 330, Houston, TX 77002. The phone number is 713-274-8600. (We should mention that you can apply for a Texas marriage license in any Texas county, so if applying in a different county, maybe where you work, is more convenient, that's an option, too.)
To apply for your Texas marriage license, both you and your partner will need to visit the clerk's office together during normal business hours and provide certain documents and information.
The Harris County Clerk's office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You also have the option of applying for a marriage license in any of the county's annex buildings:
Baytown Annex
701 W. Baker Rd.
Baytown, TX 77521
713-274-2248
Chimney Rock Annex
6000 Chimney Rock Rd.
Houston, TX 77081
713-274-2929
Clay Road Annex
16715 Clay Rd.
Houston, TX 77084
832-927-7230
Clear Lake Annex
16603 Buccaneer Ln.
Houston, TX 77062
832-927-2910
Cypresswood Annex
6831 Cypresswood Dr.
Spring, TX 77379
832-927-7290
Humble Annex
7900 Will Clayton Pkwy.
Humble, TX 77338
832-927-2060
North Shepherd Annex
7300 N. Shepherd Dr.
Houston, TX 77091
832-927-2050
Pasadena Annex
101 S. Richey St.
Pasadena, TX 77506
713-274-6230
South Belt Annex
10851 Scarsdale Blvd.
Houston, TX 77089
713-274-6918
Wallisville Annex
14350 Wallisville Road, Suite 111
Houston, TX 77049
713-274-6925
Requirements for Getting a Marriage License
To obtain a marriage license in Harris County Clerk, applicants must meet the following requirements as of early 2024:
-Both applicants must be at least 18 years old (or meet county provisions for underage applicants).
-Present valid form(s) of identification (driver's license, birth certificate, passport, etc.).
-Disclose their places of residence and parents' names.
-Not be closely related by blood or adoption.
-Submit any applicable court documents (divorce decrees, name change orders).
-Pay the marriage license fee of $81. (Without proof of state residency on a valid form of identification from at least one applicant the fee will be $181.)
According to the Harris County Clerk’s office, if for any reason a marriage applicant is unable to be present when purchasing the license, an Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License form should be completed, signed, and notarized.
The county clerk's office will also document each applicant's race, education level, and number of previous marriages for statistical purposes.
Blood Test Requirements in 2024
As of 2024, the state of Texas no longer requires couples to get blood tests before obtaining a marriage license. Harris County discontinued this requirement over a decade earlier in 2011.
When to Begin the Process
It's recommended that couples kick off the marriage license process about four to six weeks before their planned wedding date. In Harris County, marriage licenses are valid for 90 days after issuance. This gives you a reasonable window to have your ceremony while not waiting too long after getting approved.
On the Wedding Day: Don't Forget Your Marriage License!
After you've filled out the paperwork and received your marriage license from the county clerk, don't misplace it!
You'll need to present the legitimate license to whoever is officiating your wedding ceremony. The officiant will conduct your ceremony, sign the license, and take care of returning it to the county clerk's office after the wedding.
Receiving Your Marriage Certificate in Houston, TX
Once the clerk's office receives the completed license from your officiant, they will register the marriage and generate official copies of the marriage certificate within 10 business days. Couples can obtain certified copies as records of their marriage certificate from Harris County for legal purposes like name changes.
Name Change Reminders
One of the most common reasons couples need certified marriage certificate copies is when a woman wants to change her name with the Social Security Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, employers, and others after getting married. Be sure to have extra certified copies on hand when doing a name change to provide proof of the marriage across various offices and accounts.
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901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018
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