McKinney Marriage License
To get a marriage license in McKinney, both applicants must appear in person at the Collin County Clerk's office, which is located right here in McKinney since the city serves as the county seat. The Collin County Clerk handles all formal and informal marriage license applications for McKinney and the rest of Collin County. Both people need to bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and be ready to pay the fee. Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period after the clerk issues the license before any ceremony can take place, so plan your application date with enough lead time before your wedding day.
McKinney Overview
Collin County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Collin County Clerk's office is the only place in Collin County where you can get a marriage license. McKinney is the county seat, so the main clerk's office is based here. Both applicants must show up at the same time. You cannot send a proxy or mail in your application. The office staff can answer questions about what to bring, what the form asks, and how the process works.
The office is located at the Collin County Administration Building on Bloomdale Road. This is a short drive from most parts of McKinney and is accessible by car. Parking is available nearby. Plan to arrive with enough time to complete the paperwork before the office closes.
| Office | Collin County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2300 Bloomdale Rd Ste 3110 McKinney, TX 75071 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount when you call) |
| Website | collincountytx.gov |
If both applicants complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course beforehand, the fee drops to about $22. The course is free and available online. Bring your completion certificate to the clerk's office when you apply. Active-duty military members can also waive the 72-hour waiting period with proper documentation.
If either applicant was divorced within the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of that divorce decree. Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day waiting period after a divorce before a new license can be issued.
How to Get Your Marriage License in McKinney
The process is simple. Both applicants go to the Collin County Clerk's office together. You fill out the state marriage license application form, show your IDs, provide your Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. The whole visit typically takes less than an hour if you come prepared.
What to bring:
- Valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- Your Social Security number (you don't need the physical card, but you must know the number)
- Certified copy of divorce decree if either person was divorced in the last 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required under Texas law since September 1, 2017)
Texas does not require residency. You do not have to live in McKinney, Collin County, or even Texas to apply here. The license is valid anywhere in the state. Most couples apply in the county where they live or where the ceremony will happen. Once the clerk issues your license, the 72-hour clock starts. You cannot hold the ceremony before those 72 hours pass.
The application under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and Social Security numbers. It also asks whether either person has been married before. If so, how that marriage ended and when. The clerk reviews the answers and issues the license if everything checks out.
After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the Collin County Clerk within 30 days. That completes the legal record. If your officiant fails to return the license, contact the clerk's office for guidance on how to correct the record.
The Collin County Clerk's website has information about marriage license fees, hours, and what to bring to your appointment in McKinney.
Checking the county website before you visit can save time and help you confirm that you have everything you need.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law sets a 72-hour waiting period between the time the clerk issues your license and when the ceremony can legally take place. This rule is part of Texas Family Code Section 2.204. If you pick up your license Monday at noon, you cannot marry until Thursday at noon at the earliest. The wait applies regardless of where the ceremony takes place in Texas.
There are limited exceptions to the 72-hour rule. Active-duty military members can waive it. A judge can also grant a waiver for documented cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can waive the wait entirely. That same course also brings the fee down from about $82 to about $22. The course covers communication skills, conflict resolution, and financial planning. It runs roughly eight hours and is free to take online.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. If your ceremony falls outside that window, the license expires and you have to start over. You would need to apply again and pay again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. That gives enough buffer after the 72-hour wait while keeping the license well within its 90-day lifespan.
Collin County also offers informal marriage declarations for couples seeking legal recognition of a common-law relationship. The fee for that is typically lower than for a formal license. Ask the clerk's office for specifics if that applies to your situation.
Marriage License Records in McKinney
Once the signed license is returned to the Collin County Clerk after your ceremony, it becomes part of the official public record. The clerk's office files it and reports the marriage to the Texas Department of State Health Services. From that point on, the record is permanent and accessible.
Certified copies of the marriage license cost about $21 each. You can request them from the Collin County Clerk in person or by mail. These copies are what you use for legal purposes: updating your name on a driver's license, changing your Social Security card, enrolling in benefits, or handling immigration matters. Order at least one certified copy right after your wedding so you have it on hand.
For statewide verification of Texas marriages from 1966 to the present, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit offers a verification letter for $20. This is not the same as a certified copy from the county but can serve as proof for some purposes. If you need older records or records from other counties, DSHS is a good starting point.
Collin County marriage records go back many decades. Genealogical researchers can contact the clerk's office to ask about accessing older records. Some historical records may also appear in genealogy databases. The clerk's office can tell you what is available and what the process is for requesting older filings.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near McKinney where you can also get a marriage license:
Collin County Marriage License
McKinney is the county seat of Collin County. The Collin County Clerk's office here handles all marriage license applications for the county. Visit the Collin County page for full details on the application process and local resources.