Bryan Texas Marriage License
Bryan couples apply for a Texas marriage license at the Brazos County Clerk's office on East 26th Street. Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County, and the clerk's office there handles all marriage license applications for Bryan, College Station, and the rest of the county. Both applicants must appear in person at the same time, bring valid photo ID, and pay the fee. The license is valid for 90 days and cannot be used until 72 hours after it is issued.
Bryan Overview
Brazos County Clerk - Marriage License
The Brazos County Clerk handles marriage licenses for Bryan, College Station, and all of Brazos County. One office serves the entire county. Both applicants must appear together. The office is in downtown Bryan, close to city hall and the main courthouse complex. You can usually get in and out in under 30 minutes if you have everything ready.
| Office | Brazos County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E 26th St, Ste 120 Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov |
If both applicants finish the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course before applying, they pay a reduced fee of about $22. The course is online, takes about eight hours, and covers practical skills for building a strong marriage. Bring the completion certificate to the clerk's office to get the discount.
Applying for Your Bryan Marriage License
Both people must show up at the Brazos County Clerk's office in person. No one can apply for you by mail or proxy. Bring your IDs and any required documentation. The clerk will fill out the application, you both sign, and you pay the fee. You leave with the license the same day.
What to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant (Texas driver's license, state ID card, or passport)
- Social Security number for each person (no card needed, just know it)
- Certified copy of divorce decree if either person was divorced in the past 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)
Texas has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't need to live in Brazos County or in Texas. Couples from out of state or out of the country can apply here. The only requirements are meeting Texas legal standards for marriage, which include being of legal age, not currently married to someone else, and not being closely related by blood.
After you receive the license, the 72-hour waiting period begins. You must wait the full 72 hours before the ceremony. Plan to apply well in advance of your wedding date. The license is valid for 90 days, which gives you a comfortable window between the waiting period and the expiration date.
The Brazos County Clerk's website has information on office hours, current fees, and what documents to bring for marriage license applications in Bryan.
Bryan and College Station residents both apply for marriage licenses at the same Brazos County Clerk's office on East 26th Street in downtown Bryan.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. This is part of Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Almost all couples must wait the full 72 hours. The only exceptions are active-duty military members and couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program.
Brazos County charges about $82 for a standard license. Couples who finish the Twogether in Texas program first pay about $22. The $60 savings comes from a state-funded program that is free to all Texas couples. It's an eight-hour online course. Many couples find the material helpful even if they weren't planning to take it for the discount.
The license is valid for 90 days. If you don't use it within that time, it expires. You cannot extend it. Reapplying means paying the full fee again. For most couples, applying a week or two before the ceremony works well. It gives you enough time after the 72-hour wait while keeping you far from the 90-day expiration.
Note: Fees at Brazos County may change. Call the clerk's office or check the website before you go to confirm the current amount.
Marriage Records in Bryan and Brazos County
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Brazos County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and sends the data to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS keeps a statewide marriage index and can issue certified verification letters for $20 each.
Certified copies of your marriage record are available from the Brazos County Clerk for about $21. You'll need these to change your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, or passport. Order two or three right after the wedding. Having them ready saves time when you start the name-change process.
Marriage records in Brazos County are public records. The county keeps these permanently on file. If you need to find an older marriage record from Bryan or anywhere in Brazos County, you can contact the clerk's office and request a search. Bring or provide the full names of both parties and an approximate date of the ceremony.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Bryan where marriage licenses are available:
Brazos County Marriage License
Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County. All marriage licenses for Bryan and College Station are issued by the Brazos County Clerk. Visit the Brazos County page for full details on the application process and available resources.