If you are planning to get married in Texas, you cannot legally tie the knot the exact moment you pick up your marriage license. Under Texas Family Code § 2.204, the state enforces a strict 72-hour waiting period between the time your license is issued and the time your ceremony can take place.
However, many couples need to get married quickly due to deployment, travel, or simply wanting to elope. (For a complete breakdown of expediting your wedding, read our guide on the fastest way to get married in Texas). Fortunately, Texas law provides specific, legal exemptions to bypass this wait time.
Here is the fast, verified answer on how to waive the 72-hour waiting period and get married the same day in Texas.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: The 4 Legal Ways to Skip the Wait
According to Texas Family Code § 2.204(b), the 72-hour waiting period is legally waived if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Active Military: An applicant is a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty.
- Department of Defense: An applicant performs work for the U.S. DoD as an employee or contractor.
- Judicial Waiver: You obtain a written waiver signed by a Texas judge (requires filing an “Application for Waiver of the Seventy-Two Hour Waiting Period and Order”).
- Premarital Course Certificate (Most Common): You complete an approved 8-hour Twogether in Texas premarital education course (Texas Family Code § 2.013).
The Easiest Method: The “Twogether in Texas” Course
For non-military couples, applying for a judicial waiver can be incredibly stressful, time-consuming, and depends entirely on a judge’s availability and discretion (“good cause”).
The most reliable, guaranteed way to waive the 72-hour waiting period is to complete a state-approved Twogether in Texas premarital course.
Not only does this legally waive the 3-day wait, but it also instantly discounts your state marriage license fee by $60.
How the Premarital Course Waiver Works:
- Take an Approved Course: Complete a certified 8-hour online course led by a licensed mental health professional. (Note: At Cadenza Counseling, our state-approved Texas course is 100% online, self-paced, and costs only $19.97).
- Print Your Certificate: Instantly download your official Twogether in Texas completion certificate. The certificate is valid for exactly one year from the date of completion.
- Present to the County Clerk: Bring the printed certificate with you when you and your partner apply for your marriage license in person at any Texas County Clerk’s office (Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Travis, etc.).
- Instant Application: The clerk will immediately deduct $60 from your total fee and permanently strike the 72-hour waiting period from your license. You can hand the license to your officiant and get married that same afternoon.
Why Choose Cadenza Counseling for Your Waiver?
Google and the State of Texas value verified expertise. While many websites offer automated courses, the Cadenza Counseling Texas Premarital Course is developed and administered by Kristen Franzen, an active Licensed Professional Counselor (Texas LPC License #97926).
- Lowest Cost: At $19.97, we offer the most competitively priced clinical-grade course in the state.
- Maximum Benefit: Save $60 on your license and waive the 72-hour wait.
- 100% Online & Self-Paced: Complete the 8 hours from your living room, on your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions (Texas Marriage License Laws)
Do both partners have to take the course to get the waiver?
Yes. To qualify for the $60 discount and the 72-hour waiver under Texas Family Code § 2.013, the state requires both applicants to complete the premarital education course together.
How long is my Twogether in Texas certificate good for?
Your course completion certificate is valid for one year (365 days). You must apply for your marriage license within that one-year window for the waiver and discount to apply.
Does the waiver apply to the 90-day expiration date?
No. Waiving the 72-hour waiting period means you can get married immediately. However, your marriage license still expires 90 days after it is issued if the ceremony does not take place.
Can I use the certificate in any Texas County?
Yes. Whether you take the course in Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio, your official Twogether in Texas certificate is valid at all 254 County Clerk offices across the State of Texas.
Ready to skip the wait and save $60?
Join thousands of couples who have expedited their Texas marriage with our state-approved curriculum.