Arlington Texas Marriage License
Arlington couples apply for a Texas marriage license at the Tarrant County Clerk's office in Fort Worth. Arlington is in Tarrant County, so that clerk's office is where you go to get your license before the wedding. Both applicants must appear in person at the same time, show valid photo ID, and pay the fee. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. You must wait 72 hours after the clerk issues the license before you can hold the ceremony. Don't wait until the day before your wedding to apply.
Arlington Overview
Tarrant County Clerk - Marriage License
The Tarrant County Clerk's office in Fort Worth handles all marriage license applications for Arlington and the rest of Tarrant County. Arlington does not have its own county clerk since it is a city within Tarrant County. You have to travel to the courthouse in Fort Worth to apply. The drive from central Arlington to the courthouse is about 15 to 20 minutes.
| Office | Tarrant County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Taylor St Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | tarrantcounty.com |
If both applicants complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops to about $22. The course is free, state-funded, and available online. Download the certificate when you finish and bring it to the clerk when you apply.
Note: Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas. The clerk's office can be busy, especially on Fridays and the days before holidays. Arriving early in the morning on a weekday helps reduce your wait time.
Applying for Your Arlington Marriage License
Both people must appear at the Tarrant County Clerk's office at the same time. You cannot apply separately or by mail. Bring all required documents and your payment. The whole process usually takes under 30 minutes if the office isn't busy.
What to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each person (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- If divorced within 30 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree
- Anyone under 18 needs a valid court order (Texas law has required this since September 1, 2017)
Texas has no residency requirement. You don't have to be a Texas resident or even a U.S. citizen to get a Texas marriage license. You just have to meet the basic legal requirements: be at least 18 (or have a court order), not be currently married to someone else, and not be related by blood in a prohibited degree. As long as those conditions are met, the clerk will issue the license.
The clerk enters your information into the system, has both of you sign the application, and prints the license. Keep the license in a safe place until your ceremony. It is a legal document and you need it for the wedding to be official.
The Tarrant County Clerk's website has information on marriage license hours, fees, and what to bring to the Fort Worth courthouse for Arlington residents.
Arlington couples make the short trip to Fort Worth to pick up their Texas marriage license at the Tarrant County Clerk's office.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between the issuance of the license and the ceremony. This is found in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The wait applies to both applicants equally. There is no way to speed it up unless you fall under one of the two exceptions: active-duty military or completion of the Twogether in Texas premarital program.
Tarrant County charges about $82 for a standard marriage license. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas program pay only about $22. The savings is $60. The program is free, entirely online, and takes about eight hours. You receive a waiver certificate upon completion that reduces the fee at the clerk's office.
Your license stays valid for 90 days. If you don't get married within that window, it expires. There's no grace period and no extensions. You'd need to reapply and pay the full fee again. Build your timeline so the ceremony falls at least three days after your application and no more than 90 days out.
Marriage Records for Arlington Residents
After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the Tarrant County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and sends a report to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS keeps a statewide marriage index and can verify a marriage for $20. This verification letter is a certified document you can use as proof.
Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost about $21 from the Tarrant County Clerk. You'll need them to update your name on a Social Security card, passport, driver's license, and bank accounts. Order two or three copies soon after the wedding so you have them on hand when you need them. Waiting until you need a copy and then requesting one takes longer than having it ready in advance.
Marriage records filed in Tarrant County are public records. Anyone can request a copy with the names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage. Searches can be done in person at the clerk's office or by mail request.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Arlington with marriage license services:
Tarrant County Marriage License
Arlington is in Tarrant County. All marriage licenses for Arlington residents are issued by the Tarrant County Clerk in Fort Worth. Visit the Tarrant County page for full details on applying and what to expect.