Texas Marriage Certificate Search

A Texas marriage certificate search offers inquirers a chance to access documents pertaining to a marital event within state limits. Like other Texas marriage records, marriage certificates are kept at the county clerk's office, where the marriage was registered and performed. They can also be obtained through the Texas Office of Vital Statistics, which is the state vital records office tasked with maintaining Texas vital record information.

According to Texas Statutes, informational copies of marriage certificates are public records unless a court order or state legislation seals them. Depending on how the requester deems convenient, this document may be viewed or obtained in person, online, or by mail.

Texas marriage certificates help offer information about a marital union and act as evidence for every union sealed in the state. In general, marriage records serve as a reference in case of legal difficulties, such as divorce or death, which may occur. Along with other vital records, it can be helpful for immigration, name changes, and loan applications.

Are Marriage Certificates Public in Texas?

Yes, Texas marriage certificates are public records and are accessible for examination or retrieval under Texas Health and Safety Code. However, only non-certified copies are available to the public. The person requesting certified copies must be a member of the couple listed on the record, a relative of the stated individuals, or the couple's legal agent. Also, public access is restricted for marriage certificates sealed by court order or state law (based either on a couple's request or an inquiry procedure).

What is a Marriage Certificate in Texas?

The term "marriage certificate" is typically used to refer to documents linked to marriage. The license given to a couple completing a formal marriage may be referred to as a "marriage certificate" in Texas by a county clerk, but in essence, it is a document provided by the state to demonstrate that a marriage has been lawfully united.

In Texas, a marriage certificate provides all the pertinent information, including the couple's names, the date of the union, the county where it was performed, and the person who joined the marriage.

What Do Marriage Certificates Contain in Texas?

Marriage certificates in Texas contain information about the individuals and the marriage, and these details include:

The full names of both parties involved in the marriage.
The date the marriage ceremony was conducted.
The county where the marriage was conducted.

Informally married individuals are recognized as such in Texas if they have consented, have cohabited for a period as husband and wife, and have presented themselves to others. In this situation, the county clerk may issue them a declaration of marriage document, which can be requested and serves as a certificate for their relationship. This document would contain the names and signatures of the couple and the date when the informal declaration was made.

Where Do I Get a Certified Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Texas?

Only the county or district court where the marriage was filed in Texas can provide certified copies of marriage certificates. A marriage index is kept on file by the Office of Vital Statistics and is accessible to interested parties with permission via the site. As long as the record in question is included in the list, interested parties can use it to find out information about it. A requester can contact the county clerk's office to acquire a certified copy after verifying information from this index, which includes information like the county where the marriage was performed. Additionally, the state of Texas acknowledges and preserves records of informal weddings, which are filed and preserved at the county clerk's office.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of My Marriage Certificate?

Marriage certificates in Texas are only kept on file in the county where the marriage license was issued, not necessarily, where the marriage ceremony occurred. The county clerk's office where the marriage license was submitted must be contacted to receive certified copies; depending on the county, this can be done in person, by mail, or online. Keep in mind that there are fees for acquiring these marriage certificates.

Each county provides different alternatives for accessing these documents depending on its rules and capability. Here are a few factors to take into account while getting certified copies of the marriage certificate in Brazoria County, as an example:

Each certified duplicate of a marriage certificate already filed at the county clerk's office must be purchased for $20.00.
Cash or credit cards with a convenience fee are accepted forms of payment from requesters. No personal checks are accepted.
Requests can be made in person by dropping by any county office during regular business hours, and certificates will be available in a matter of minutes. The main office at Angleton, the Lake Jackson substation, and the Manvel substation are among the offices.
Copies may also be requested by mail by first completing the online request form, which must be completed with a legible return address, a daytime phone number (if available), and a valid form of payment. Be aware that shipping may take five to seven days.

In addition, the requester can submit a request online by completing the form for a certified copy of a marriage license and paying with credit cards (visa, master, or discover). Ensure the application includes the certified payment confirmation number before emailing it to cclerkpublic@brazoriacountytx.gov. Delivery will take five to seven business days after receiving and verifying the request.

Regardless of the method, the requester will be required to provide certain information before gaining access to the records of interest, such as the name of the applicant, the names of the people listed on the records, the date of marriage, the requester's phone number, mailing address, and the reason for requesting the record.

Every county in the state follows a unique set of regulations for obtaining these records. Please visit the official website for more details on the criteria and process for certified records requests from Brazoria County. Links to the websites of the individual counties are also provided on the official state of Texas government website, which interested parties can use to acquire the information they require.

Can I Find My Marriage Certificate Online in Texas?

Marriage certificates are not accessible online in Texas. However, online orders can be placed for marriage certificates from several state counties or marriage verifications from the office of vital statistics (for records going back as far as 1966). By getting the request form, filling it out, and emailing it to the right address, anyone can seek certified or uncertified copies of a marriage certificate through the county website. Following that, the copies are sent by mail to the requester at the designated return address.

How to Get a New Marriage Certificate in Texas

Applying for a marriage license in the state county where the intending couple resides is the first step in getting a new marriage certificate in Texas. There are two basic ways to start the process, and it would depend on the state county in question. Some counties offer online options for processing marriage licenses, while others only offer the in-person option, even though the online option requires applicants to appear in person at the county clerk's office to complete the process.

Although each county in Texas could require different sets of data and other procedures, most of the requirements are the same throughout the state. Below is an illustration of the marriage license application process in Montgomery County:

There are three major ways to start the marriage license procedure in Montgomery: to start the process online, fill out the required information, and then bring the transaction number to the clerk's office to get the license. Second, by printing, filling out, and bringing a marriage license application to the clerk's office to complete the process; third, by going in person to the clerk's office and verbally providing all the information required; and finally, by obtaining the marriage license after having completed the necessary steps. The online application process aids in hastening the procedure.
Each applicant must have a legitimate form of identification, such as a driver's license, passport, military ID that has not expired, or an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, as well as their social security number (if one has been assigned to them).
The processing of the marriage license will cost a total of $72.00. A declaration of informal marriage document costs $37.00 in Texas, where informal marriages are also performed. The county clerk will not take money orders or other forms of payment for these fees, therefore they must be paid in cash.
A waiting time of at least 72 hours is necessary before applying for a marriage license. With the exception of active-duty military members; this is determined by a district or county court judge. The license is usable in any county in Texas for up to 90 days after it is issued.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry, except when a court order is issued to the contrary.
Applicants must not be related by either full or half blood, or even adoption.
Applicants who were married before must have been divorced for at least 30 days before they can qualify for a marriage license unless they have a waiver from a court judge.
Both applicants must be present for the license application; if one is absent, a representative must be present in accordance with state law. Both applicants must be members of the US armed services stationed abroad for military operations or conflict in order for them to be allowed to be absent from the interview and be represented by other people.

Any citizen of the state of Texas who lives in the county of Montgomery may apply for a marriage license and acquire a new marriage certificate after fulfilling all the aforementioned requirements.

How Do I Verify a Marriage Certificate in Texas?

To verify a marriage certificate in Texas, contact the county, town, or city clerk in the judicial district where the marriage was licensed. For further information about a marriage record, inquirers can also visit the county clerk's office or the vital records office of the local county health department.