Austin Marriage License

Austin couples get their Texas marriage license from the Travis County Clerk's office. Travis County has two locations where you can apply. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $80 fee in cash. Travis County does not accept cards or checks for marriage license fees, so bring cash. The license is valid for 89 days and cannot be used until 72 hours after the clerk issues it. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops to $20 cash.

Travis County Clerk - Marriage License

The Travis County Clerk handles all marriage license applications for Austin. Two office locations serve Austin area couples. Both are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. You must go in person. Bring cash. Travis County does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or checks for marriage license payments.

Travis County charges $80 for a standard marriage license. Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay only $20. That's a $60 savings. The course is available online, takes about eight hours, and you get a completion certificate to bring to the clerk's office.

Note: Travis County's license is valid for 89 days, one day shorter than most Texas counties. Plan accordingly so your ceremony falls within that window.

How to Get Your Austin Marriage License

Both applicants must appear together at the Travis County Clerk's office. You cannot apply by mail, online, or through a representative. Pick either the downtown courthouse location or the Airport Boulevard office, whichever is more convenient. Bring cash. The clerk will not accept any other form of payment for the marriage license fee.

Required documents:

• Valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant (Texas driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security number for each applicant (card not required, just know your number)
• If divorced within 30 days of applying, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree
• Court order required for anyone under 18 (Texas law as of September 1, 2017)

Texas does not require either applicant to be a state resident. People from other states and other countries can apply for a Texas marriage license. There are no blood test requirements and no waiting lists. The application process itself is quick, usually 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish if you have everything ready.

After the clerk issues the license, the 72-hour waiting period starts. You can't marry before those 72 hours are up. Plan your ceremony for at least three days after your application date. The Airport Boulevard office sometimes has shorter waits than the downtown courthouse. Both issue the same valid Texas marriage license.

The Travis County Clerk's marriage license page has current hours, fee details, and both Austin office addresses for couples applying in person.

Austin couples visit one of two Travis County Clerk offices to apply for their marriage license, paying the fee in cash and receiving the license the same day.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Austin Fees

Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between the issuance of the license and the wedding ceremony. This is set in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The law applies to virtually all couples. Exceptions exist for active-duty military members and couples who have completed the Twogether in Texas premarital education program.

Travis County's fee is $80 cash. With the Twogether in Texas certificate, you pay $20. The $60 discount is available to any couple who finishes the free program before applying. The course is online through the Texas Attorney General's office and covers practical topics like financial planning, communication, and working through conflict. Many couples find it genuinely useful even without the discount.

Austin's license is valid for 89 days, not the standard 90 you'll see in other counties. This one-day difference is worth knowing. If you're cutting it close to the 90-day mark, double check with the Travis County Clerk. Schedule your ceremony with room to spare rather than trying to squeeze it in on the last possible day.

Note: Travis County accepts only cash for marriage license fees. ATMs are available near both office locations, but it's easier to bring the right amount from home.

Austin Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the Travis County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and sends the information to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS keeps a statewide index of marriages. You can get a certified verification letter from DSHS for $20, which proves the marriage occurred and can be used as legal documentation.

Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the Travis County Clerk for about $21. You'll need certified copies to change your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, passport, and other accounts. Order several copies right after the wedding while the process is fresh. Getting them later is simple but adds extra steps during an already busy time.

Marriage records filed in Travis County are public. The county keeps permanent records. You can search for old marriage records by name and approximate year through the clerk's office. Records going back many decades are on file. If you need to verify or find a past marriage that took place in Austin, the Travis County Clerk is the primary source.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying Texas cities near Austin where couples can apply for a marriage license:

Travis County Marriage License

Austin is the county seat of Travis County. All marriage licenses for Austin residents are issued by the Travis County Clerk. Visit the Travis County page for more details on both office locations and the full application process.

View Travis County Marriage License