Dallas Texas Marriage License

Dallas residents apply for a marriage license at the Dallas County Clerk's office, which has multiple locations across the city. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the fee at the time of application. Dallas County is one of the largest counties in Texas, so the clerk's office runs a high volume of license applications every week. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place, so plan ahead and do not wait until the last minute to apply.

Dallas County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Dallas County Clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses for Dallas and every other city in Dallas County. Dallas is unusual among Texas cities in that the county clerk operates more than one location where you can apply. This makes the process more convenient for residents spread across the large county. Whichever office you visit, the requirements and fees are the same.

The main office is at 509 Main Street in downtown Dallas. That location handles the highest volume of applications. There are also branch locations throughout the county. Call the main office or check the county website before your visit to confirm which locations currently offer marriage license services, since hours and availability can vary.

Payment methods vary by location. Most accept cash, check, and money order. Some locations may accept cards. Call ahead to confirm. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, you pay a significantly reduced fee and you can also waive the 72-hour waiting period. Bring your printed completion certificate to the clerk at the time of application.

The main downtown office can get busy, especially toward the end of the week. Early morning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday tends to be the least congested time to visit. Branch offices are often less busy than the main location.

How to Apply for a Dallas Marriage License

Both people must go to the clerk's office at the same time. You cannot apply on behalf of your partner or mail in the application. The process is straightforward and usually takes under 30 minutes when you have all your documents ready.

Each applicant needs to bring the following:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number for each applicant (you must be able to state it; bringing the card helps)
• Certified copy of the final divorce decree if either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days
• A valid court order if either applicant is under 18 (Texas law has required this since September 1, 2017)

Texas does not require residency. You do not have to live in Dallas or even in Texas to get a Dallas County marriage license. The license is valid anywhere in the state. No blood test is needed. The clerk will have both of you fill out and sign the state application form, which asks for full legal names, birth dates, places of birth, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history if any.

Keep the license in a safe place after the clerk gives it to you. It is a legal document. Do not fold, damage, or lose it before the ceremony. Your officiant will need to sign it, and it must be returned to the clerk within 30 days after your wedding. The signed and returned license becomes the official record of your marriage.

The Dallas County Clerk's website has current information on office locations, hours, and what to bring when you apply for your marriage license.

Dallas County offers one of the more convenient application processes in Texas because of its multiple clerk office locations spread across the county.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

After the clerk issues your license, you must wait 72 hours before the ceremony can happen. This rule is found in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The wait runs from the exact time the license is issued, not from midnight of the day you apply. So timing matters if your ceremony is on a specific date.

There are two ways to skip the 72-hour wait. Active duty military members can waive it. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program can also skip the wait and pay a reduced fee of about $21 to $22 instead of the standard $82. The program is free, funded by the state, and available online. It runs about eight hours and covers communication, conflict, finances, and expectations in marriage. You get a certificate when you finish. Print it and bring it to the clerk when you apply.

The license is valid for 90 days. Use it within that window or it expires. There are no extensions or refunds. If your wedding gets pushed past the 90-day mark, you have to start over and pay again. Most couples apply about one to two weeks before the ceremony. That gives enough buffer after the 72-hour wait while still keeping plenty of time within the 90-day limit.

Dallas County also handles informal marriage declarations, sometimes called common law marriage. Those applications also require both parties to appear in person at the clerk's office and pay a separate fee. Check with the clerk for the current fee on that process.

Dallas Marriage License Records

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Dallas County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and files it as part of the permanent public record. You can then request certified copies, which are needed for name changes, passport applications, Social Security updates, and other legal purposes.

Certified copies cost around $21 each from the Dallas County Clerk. You can order them in person or by mail. It is a good idea to get two or three copies right after the wedding while everything is fresh and accessible. Trying to track down records years later takes more time and effort.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide marriage index covering records from 1966 to the present. They can issue a verification letter for $20. That letter confirms a marriage is on file in the state system but is not the same as a certified copy from the county clerk. For most legal purposes, the county-issued certified copy is the one you want.

Dallas County has marriage records going back to the mid-1800s. Older records may be available through the clerk's office directly or through genealogy resources. The county is large and has a well-maintained records system. Most requests for records from the past few decades are processed quickly.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying Texas cities near Dallas with marriage license services through their county clerks:

Dallas County Marriage License

Dallas is the county seat of Dallas County. All marriage licenses for Dallas residents are issued by the Dallas County Clerk, which operates multiple office locations across the county for your convenience.

View Dallas County Marriage License