Corpus Christi Marriage License
Corpus Christi couples apply for their Texas marriage license at the Nueces County Clerk's office on Leopard Street. Corpus Christi is the county seat of Nueces County, and the clerk's office there handles all marriage license applications for the city. Both applicants must show up together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. You must wait 72 hours after the clerk issues the license before your ceremony can be held.
Corpus Christi Overview
Nueces County Clerk - Marriage License
The Nueces County Clerk's office is in the courthouse on Leopard Street in downtown Corpus Christi. That's where you go to apply for a marriage license if you live in or plan to marry in the Corpus Christi area. Both applicants must appear at the same time. The clerk enters your information, you both sign, and you pay the fee. The license is issued the same day.
| Office | Nueces County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 901 Leopard St, Rm 201 Corpus Christi, TX 78401 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | co.nueces.tx.us |
Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education program save about $60 on the license fee. The course is online, takes about eight hours, and is funded by the state. Bring the certificate when you apply to receive the reduced rate and, if you choose, waive the 72-hour waiting period.
How to Get a Marriage License in Corpus Christi
Go to the Nueces County Clerk's office on Leopard Street. Both of you must be there together. No mail-in applications are accepted in Texas. Bring your IDs, any required documents, and payment. The clerk handles everything in person and gives you the license before you leave.
Required documents:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each person (Texas driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security number for each applicant (card not required)
- Certified divorce decree if either person was divorced within the last 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)
Texas has no residency requirement. You don't need to live in Corpus Christi or in Texas to apply here. Visitors and out-of-state couples can apply for a Texas marriage license just like local residents. As long as both people meet the legal requirements, the clerk issues the license without restriction.
Once you have the license, the 72-hour wait begins. Plan your ceremony for at least three days after your application date. The license is good for 90 days. Try not to apply too early if you're planning a wedding months away. Applying one to two weeks before the ceremony is usually ideal.
The Nueces County Clerk's website has up-to-date information on fees, hours, and the marriage license application process for Corpus Christi residents.
Both applicants appear together at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi to apply for their Texas marriage license in person.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
State law requires a 72-hour wait between the issuance of the license and the ceremony. This rule is part of Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Nearly all couples must comply with this requirement. The only two exceptions are active-duty military members and couples who complete the Twogether in Texas program.
Nueces County charges about $82 for a standard marriage license. Couples with the Twogether in Texas certificate pay about $22. The program is free, online, and available through the Texas Attorney General's website. You get the certificate after completing about eight hours of coursework. The program also lets you skip the 72-hour waiting period if you want to waive it.
The license expires 90 days after issue. No extensions. If your ceremony doesn't happen in time, you apply again and pay again. Schedule your application so the wedding falls after the three-day wait and well before the 90-day expiration. Most couples have no trouble hitting that window with a bit of planning ahead.
Note: Confirm the exact fee with the Nueces County Clerk before your visit. Fees can change and the amount listed here may not reflect the most current rate.
Marriage Records in Corpus Christi
After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the Nueces County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it and forwards the data to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS maintains a statewide marriage index and can issue certified verification letters for $20 each.
Certified copies of the marriage record are available from the Nueces County Clerk for about $21. You need these for name changes on a driver's license, Social Security card, passport, and bank accounts. Order a few copies right after your ceremony to have them ready when you need them.
Nueces County marriage records are public and kept permanently on file. To search for an older marriage record from Corpus Christi or Nueces County, contact the clerk's office with the names of both parties and an approximate year of the ceremony. The clerk can search and provide certified copies.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Corpus Christi with marriage license services:
Nueces County Marriage License
Corpus Christi is the county seat of Nueces County. All marriage licenses for Corpus Christi are issued by the Nueces County Clerk. Visit the Nueces County page for full details on the application process and available resources.