Beaumont Marriage License
Couples getting married in Beaumont need a Texas marriage license from the Jefferson County Clerk's office before the ceremony. Beaumont is the county seat of Jefferson County, and the clerk's office is downtown. Both applicants must appear in person together, show valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. No residency requirement exists, so anyone can apply. After the clerk issues the license, you must wait 72 hours before the wedding can be held. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Beaumont Overview
Jefferson County Clerk - Marriage License
The Jefferson County Clerk issues all marriage licenses for Beaumont and the rest of Jefferson County. The office is located in the courthouse on Pearl Street in downtown Beaumont. Both applicants must be present when you apply. The clerk will enter your information and issue the license the same day once payment is made.
| Office | Jefferson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1085 Pearl St Beaumont, TX 77701 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | co.jefferson.tx.us |
Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course receive a $60 discount on the license fee. The course is available online and takes about eight hours. Bring the completion certificate when you apply to get the reduced rate.
Getting Your Beaumont Marriage License
Both people must go to the Jefferson County Clerk's office together. Mail-in and online applications are not available in Texas for marriage licenses. You apply in person only. The clerk walks you through a short form. Both of you sign it in front of the clerk, and you pay the fee. The license is issued the same day.
Documents to bring:
- Valid photo ID for each applicant (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security number for each person (no card needed)
- Certified copy of final divorce decree if either person divorced within the past 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (Texas law since September 1, 2017)
Texas has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't have to be a Jefferson County resident or a Texas resident to apply here. Out-of-state and out-of-country applicants are welcome. As long as both people meet the legal requirements for marriage in Texas, the clerk will issue the license regardless of where you live.
Once you have the license in hand, the 72-hour waiting period begins. You can't hold the ceremony before those 72 hours pass. For most couples, applying about a week before the wedding works well. That gives you the buffer time without leaving the license sitting around for months.
Check the Jefferson County Clerk's website for current office hours, fee amounts, and any updates before visiting the Beaumont courthouse.
Texas marriage licenses must be obtained in person at the county clerk's office, with both applicants present at the time of application.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas state law requires a 72-hour waiting period between the time the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. This requirement is in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The waiting period protects both parties and applies to almost everyone. Only active-duty military members and couples who complete the Twogether in Texas program can waive it.
The standard fee at Jefferson County is about $82. Couples who finish the Twogether in Texas course pay about $22 instead. The program is free, online, and state-sponsored. It covers communication, finances, and conflict skills. Finishing it saves $60 on the license fee and waives the 72-hour wait. That's a significant benefit for couples willing to spend a day on the material.
The license expires 90 days after it's issued. You cannot extend the expiration date. If your plans change and the ceremony doesn't happen within 90 days, you must reapply and pay the full fee again. Build your schedule so the wedding falls after the 72-hour wait but well before the 90-day expiration.
Note: Always confirm the exact fee with the Jefferson County Clerk before your visit. Fees can change, and it's best to bring a bit extra in case the amount has been updated.
Beaumont Marriage License Records
Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the Jefferson County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and sends the information to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS maintains a statewide marriage index. For $20, DSHS can provide a certified verification letter that you can use as proof of marriage.
Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the Jefferson County Clerk for about $21 each. You'll need certified copies to change your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, passport, and financial accounts. Order several copies right after the wedding. It's much easier to have them on hand than to request them one at a time later.
Marriage records in Jefferson County are public records. The county maintains these records permanently. If you ever need to look up an older marriage record filed in Beaumont, contact the Jefferson County Clerk with the names of both parties and an approximate date. The clerk can search the index and provide copies for a fee.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Beaumont where marriage licenses are also available:
Jefferson County Marriage License
Beaumont is the county seat of Jefferson County. All marriage licenses for Beaumont are issued by the Jefferson County Clerk. Visit the Jefferson County page for full information on the application process and available resources.