Allen Texas Marriage License
Allen residents apply for a Texas marriage license at the Collin County Clerk's office in McKinney. Allen is in Collin County, and all marriage licenses for the city are issued through that county office. Both applicants must show up in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the fee. There is no residency requirement, so you don't have to live in Collin County to apply there. The license is valid for 90 days. You cannot hold a ceremony until 72 hours after the clerk issues the license, so factor that time into your plans before you schedule the wedding date.
Allen Overview
Collin County Clerk - Marriage License
Allen is part of Collin County. The Collin County Clerk's office in McKinney handles all marriage license applications for Allen and the rest of the county. You must go there in person. Both people in the couple need to be present at the same time when you apply.
| Office | Collin County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2300 Bloomdale Rd, Ste 3110 McKinney, TX 75071 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | collincountytx.gov |
If both applicants complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program before applying, the fee drops significantly. The program is state-sponsored, free, and available online. You get a waiver certificate when you finish that reduces the fee by $60.
Getting Your Allen Marriage License
Both applicants must appear in person at the Collin County Clerk's office in McKinney. You cannot mail in an application or send a representative. The clerk will take your information, check your IDs, and issue the license on the spot once you pay the fee.
Documents to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (Texas driver's license, state ID card, or passport)
- Your Social Security number (memorize it; you don't need the physical card)
- If you were divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree
- Anyone under 18 needs a court order, as Texas requires this since September 1, 2017
There is no Texas residency requirement. Allen residents apply at Collin County, but technically you can get a license from any Texas county clerk. Most people use the county where they live or where the ceremony will take place. The application is short. Both people sign it in front of the clerk. The clerk enters your information into the state system and prints the license.
The 72-hour waiting period starts from the moment the clerk hands you the license. You must wait the full 72 hours before any officiant can legally marry you. Plan your ceremony for at least three days after your application date. The license then stays valid for 90 days from issue.
The Collin County Clerk's office in McKinney serves Allen residents who need to apply for a marriage license before their ceremony.
Both applicants appear together, present photo IDs, and receive their Texas marriage license in a single visit.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law sets a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and the ceremony. This is part of Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Most couples cannot waive it. Two exceptions exist: active-duty military members and couples who complete the Twogether in Texas course may skip the wait.
Collin County charges about $82 for a standard marriage license. Couples who finish the Twogether in Texas program pay about $22. The savings is $60, which makes the free eight-hour online course well worth it for many couples. The program is offered through the Texas AG's office and covers topics that help new marriages get off to a strong start.
Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days. If your ceremony doesn't happen within 90 days, the license expires and you have to start over. You'd need to reapply and pay the fee again. Most couples apply about one to two weeks before the ceremony to leave plenty of time while staying well within the 90-day window.
Note: Fees are subject to change. Always confirm the current amount directly with the Collin County Clerk before your visit.
Marriage License Records
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Collin County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and forwards the record to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS keeps a statewide marriage index. You can request a verification letter from DSHS for $20 if you ever need to prove the marriage happened and the county record is difficult to access.
Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the Collin County Clerk for about $21 each. You'll need them to change your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, or passport. It's a good idea to order at least two certified copies right after your wedding so you have them ready when you need them.
The marriage record is public once filed. Anyone can request a copy from the county clerk. The record includes both names, the date of the ceremony, the date of issuance, and the name of the officiant. It does not include personal details like addresses or Social Security numbers in the public copy.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Allen where marriage licenses are also available:
Collin County Marriage License
Allen is in Collin County. All marriage licenses for Allen residents are issued by the Collin County Clerk in McKinney. Visit the Collin County page for full details on the application process and available resources.