Amarillo Marriage License
Couples getting married in Amarillo apply for their Texas marriage license at the Potter County Clerk's office in downtown Amarillo. Both people must appear together in person, show valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. Amarillo sits primarily in Potter County, so that clerk's office handles most applications for the city. The license is good for 90 days and cannot be used until 72 hours after the clerk issues it. If you plan to marry soon, go in early so the waiting period doesn't conflict with your ceremony date.
Amarillo Overview
Potter County Clerk - Marriage License
The Potter County Clerk's office is the place to apply for a marriage license if you live in Amarillo or plan to marry here. Part of Amarillo extends into Randall County. If your address is on the Randall County side, you can apply at either county clerk. Most Amarillo residents use Potter County since that is where the main courthouse is located.
| Office | Potter County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 S Fillmore St, Rm 201 Amarillo, TX 79101 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | co.potter.tx.us |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22. The course is free, state-sponsored, and available online. Bring the completion certificate to the clerk's office when you apply.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Amarillo
Both applicants must be present together at the Potter County Clerk's office. You apply in person only. No mail-in option exists in Texas. The clerk walks you through a short application form. Both of you sign it, and the clerk issues the license once you pay the fee.
What you need to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant
- Social Security number for each applicant (no card needed, just the number)
- Certified copy of divorce decree if either person was divorced within the last 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)
Texas does not require you to live in the state or in the county to apply. Any two people who meet the legal requirements can walk into any Texas county clerk's office and get a license. There are no blood tests and no waiting lists. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have everything with you.
Once you have the license, you must wait 72 hours before your ceremony. That wait starts from the time the clerk issues it. Military members on active duty can get this waiver. Couples who finish Twogether in Texas can also waive the wait. For everyone else, plan around the three-day gap.
Visit the Potter County Clerk's website to confirm current office hours and fee amounts before your trip to the Amarillo courthouse.
Texas marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk and must be used within 90 days of the issue date.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
State law requires a 72-hour wait after the license is issued. This rule is in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The wait is not flexible for most couples. It exists to give both people a chance to reconsider before the marriage is finalized. The exceptions are active-duty military and couples who finish the Twogether in Texas premarital education program.
The standard fee at Potter County is about $82. If you complete the Twogether in Texas course first, you only pay about $22. That's a $60 discount for completing a free eight-hour program. The course covers money management, communication, and conflict resolution. These are practical skills for any new marriage. You finish the course, download the certificate, and bring it to the clerk's office when you apply.
The license is valid for 90 days. If you don't use it in time, it expires. You can't extend or renew a Texas marriage license. You'd have to apply again. Most couples apply one to three weeks before the wedding to avoid any stress while staying well within the 90-day window.
Note: Potter County fee amounts can change. Call the clerk's office to confirm the exact fee before your visit.
Amarillo Marriage License Records
Your officiant signs the completed license after the ceremony and returns it to the Potter County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it and sends the data to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS keeps a statewide marriage index and can provide certified verification letters for $20 each. This is useful if you need proof of the marriage for legal purposes down the road.
Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the Potter County Clerk for about $21. You'll need certified copies to update your name on a driver's license, passport, Social Security card, or bank accounts. Order at least two right away. Getting copies later is easy enough, but having them on hand speeds up the name-change process.
Marriage records in Texas are public. The county keeps permanent records. If you ever need to look up an old marriage record filed in Potter County, you can contact the clerk's office and request a search by name and approximate year. There may be a search fee for older records.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Amarillo with marriage license offices:
Potter County Marriage License
Amarillo is the county seat of Potter County. All marriage licenses for Amarillo are issued by the Potter County Clerk. Visit the Potter County page for more details on the full application process and local resources.