Carrollton Marriage License
Most of Carrollton falls within Dallas County, so Carrollton couples typically apply for a Texas marriage license at the Dallas County Clerk's office in downtown Dallas. A small portion of Carrollton is in Denton County. If your address is in that part, you could apply at the Denton County Clerk instead. Either way, both applicants must appear in person together, show valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. The license is valid for 90 days and requires a 72-hour wait after issue before the ceremony can take place.
Carrollton Overview
Dallas County Clerk - Marriage License
The Dallas County Clerk handles marriage license applications for the majority of Carrollton. The clerk's office is at the Records Building in downtown Dallas. Both applicants must be present at the same time. If your Carrollton address is in the Denton County portion of the city, you can apply at the Denton County Clerk in Denton instead. Check your address on the county line map if you're not sure which county you're in.
| Office | Dallas County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 509 Main St Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | dallascounty.org |
Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22. The eight-hour online program is free, state-sponsored, and provides a certificate you bring to the clerk's office to claim the discount and waive the 72-hour waiting period.
Note: Texas has no residency requirement. You don't need to live in Dallas County to apply there. But you need to know which county your Carrollton address falls in, as applying in the wrong county doesn't invalidate the license, it just may add unnecessary travel.
Applying for a Marriage License from Carrollton
You must apply in person. Both applicants need to appear together at the county clerk's office. No mail-in process exists in Texas. Bring your documents and payment. The application itself is short. You'll both sign it, the clerk will enter your information, and you'll walk out with the license.
Required documents:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each person (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security number for each applicant (you don't need the card, just know the number)
- Certified copy of divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)
Once issued, the 72-hour waiting period starts. Your ceremony can't happen until those 72 hours pass. Most couples apply about a week before the wedding. That's a comfortable buffer that also keeps you well within the 90-day expiration window. Don't wait until a day or two before your ceremony to apply.
The Dallas County Clerk's website has current information on the marriage license application process, fees, and office hours for Carrollton and Dallas County residents.
Carrollton residents in Dallas County make the trip downtown to apply for their Texas marriage license at the Dallas County Records Building on Main Street.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between the issuance of the license and the ceremony. This comes from Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The wait cannot be skipped unless you're on active military duty or you've completed the Twogether in Texas program.
Dallas County charges about $82 for a standard marriage license. If you complete the Twogether in Texas course first, you pay about $22. The $60 savings comes from a free eight-hour state-sponsored online program. The course is worth doing if you have the time. It covers topics like budgeting, communication, and conflict resolution that are relevant to any new couple.
The license is valid for 90 days. It expires if not used. You can't extend it or get a refund. Schedule your ceremony for a date that falls after the 72-hour wait and before the 90-day expiration. Most couples hit that target easily with a little planning.
Carrollton Marriage License Records
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the 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. You can order a certified verification letter from DSHS for $20 if you need proof of the marriage.
Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the Dallas County Clerk for about $21. These are needed for name changes on your driver's license, Social Security card, and passport. Get two or three copies right after the wedding while you're thinking about it. They make the name-change process much faster.
Dallas County marriage records are public. The county archives go back many decades. To look up an older record, contact the Dallas County Clerk with the full names of both parties and an approximate year. There may be a small search or copy fee depending on how old the record is.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Carrollton where couples can apply for a marriage license:
Dallas County Marriage License
Most of Carrollton is in Dallas County. All marriage licenses for Dallas County residents are issued by the Dallas County Clerk. Visit the Dallas County page for full details on the application process and what to expect.