How to Get a Marriage License in Texas

Reviewed by Kristen Franzen, LPC, a Texas-licensed counselor and Twogether in Texas course provider · Last updated October 2026

Quick answer

To get a marriage license in Texas, apply at any Texas county clerk’s office with a valid photo ID and your Social Security numbers, and pay the county fee. In the biggest counties the fee is $76 to $81. Complete the 8-hour Twogether in Texas premarital course first and the clerk takes up to $60 off the fee and waives the 72-hour waiting period. The license is valid anywhere in Texas for 90 days.

Texas marriage license at a glance

Cost	Set by each county: $76 to $81 in the largest counties. Up to $60 off with a Twogether in Texas certificate.
Waiting period	72 hours after the license is issued. Waived with a Twogether in Texas certificate.
How long it’s valid	90 days from the date it’s issued, anywhere in Texas.
Where to apply	Any Texas county clerk. You don’t have to apply in the county where you’ll marry.
What to bring	Valid photo ID and Social Security numbers for both partners, plus your Twogether in Texas certificate if you have one.
Twogether in Texas course	Optional. At least 8 hours from a registered provider. The certificate is valid for 1 year from completion.

How much is a marriage license in Texas?

Each county sets its own total, so the price depends on where you apply. Here is what the largest county clerks list on their own websites:

County	Standard fee	With a Twogether in Texas certificate
Harris (Houston)	$81	up to $60 off
Tarrant (Fort Worth)	$76	up to $60 off
Bexar (San Antonio)	$80	$60 off
Travis (Austin)	$80	$20 total
Dallas	check the clerk’s site	$60 off

Two things change the price. First, if neither of you can show Texas residency on your ID, clerks charge $100 more (Harris County lists $181), and the $60 course discount may not apply, so ask your clerk. Second, the Twogether in Texas course: our course costs $19.97 for both of you, so a Texas couple who takes it pays less overall and skips the 72-hour wait.

How to get a marriage license in Texas, step by step

1. Take the Twogether in Texas course (optional, but it pays for itself). It takes at least 8 hours. Our course is online, so you can split it across a few evenings and finish at home.
2. Download your certificate. You get it the moment you finish. It’s good for one year.
3. Choose a county clerk. Any Texas county works. Check its hours, fee, and whether it takes appointments. Harris County alone has 11 locations.
4. Gather your documents. See the list below.
5. Apply together and pay. Both of you normally appear in person. If one of you can’t be there, ask the clerk about its absent-applicant rules before you go.
6. Get married. Without a certificate, wait 72 hours. With one, you can marry as soon as the license is issued. The ceremony must happen within 90 days.
7. Return the signed license. Your officiant sends it back to the county clerk, which records it. Then you can order certified copies.

What to bring to the county clerk

• A valid photo ID for each of you, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
• Both Social Security numbers.
• Your Twogether in Texas certificate, issued within the past year, if you want the discount and the waiver.
• Payment. Many clerks take cash or card only, and some don’t take checks.
• If either of you was divorced, you must wait 30 days after the divorce before applying.

The 72-hour waiting period and how to skip it

Texas makes most couples wait 72 hours between getting the license and the ceremony. Three ways around it:

• Twogether in Texas certificate. The simplest option. Show it when you apply and the wait is waived.
• Active military. The wait is waived automatically for active-duty service members who show their military ID.
• Court order. A judge can waive it, which takes a separate request.

If you’re planning a courthouse wedding or a quick ceremony, take the course before you go to the clerk. You can take the Twogether in Texas course online today and marry the same day you get the license.

Common questions

How much does it cost to get married in Texas?

The license is $76 to $81 in the largest counties, or about $20 with a Twogether in Texas certificate. A courthouse ceremony or officiant is extra and varies.

Is the Twogether in Texas course required?

No. It’s optional. Without it, you wait 72 hours after the license is issued and pay the full county fee.

Can we get married the same day we get the license?

Yes, if you bring a valid Twogether in Texas certificate. It waives the 72-hour wait, so you can marry as soon as the license is issued.

Do we have to be Texas residents?

No. Anyone can get a Texas marriage license. If neither of you can show Texas residency, the fee is $100 higher, and the course discount may not apply. Ask your county clerk.

How long is the Twogether certificate good for?

One year from the date you complete the course. After that, you’d need to retake it to get the discount and the waiver.

Can we use a license from one county in another county?

Yes. A Texas marriage license is valid in every Texas county.

Ready to save on your license? Take the Twogether in Texas course online for $19.97 per couple. Instant certificate, accepted in all 254 Texas counties, money-back guarantee.

Texas guides

• How to Get Married at a Courthouse in Texas (Step-by-Step)
• Fastest Way to Get Married in Texas (Legally, Same-Day Options)
• Why Texas Makes You Wait 72 Hours to Get Married
• How to Waive the 72-Hour Waiting Period for a Texas Marriage License
• Why Taking a Texas Premarital Course is a Smart Move for Your Marriage
• How to Skip the 72-Hour Waiting Period for a Texas Marriage License
• State of Texas Marriage License Application Process
• Can I Get a Texas Marriage License Online? (The S.B. 907 Video Conference Guide)
• How Long Is the Twogether in Texas Certificate Good For? (2026 Legal Timeline)
• Can you get married the same day you buy a marriage license in Texas?
• Texas premarital education course: what to know
• Save Time and Money with the Texas Premarital Course
• Top Benefits of Taking the Texas Premarital Course
• Guide to Taking a Catholic Marriage Preparation Course in Texas
• Affordable Texas premarital education certificates: what to know
• How much does a wedding (marriage) license cost in Texas?

Texas marriage license guides by county