Mission Texas Marriage License

Couples who want to get married in Mission must obtain a Texas marriage license from the Hidalgo County Clerk before the ceremony. Mission is in Hidalgo County, so the clerk's office in Edinburg handles all applications for residents here. Both applicants must appear together in person, show valid photo ID, and pay the fee. The 72-hour waiting period starts as soon as the clerk issues the license, so plan your application date at least three full days before your planned ceremony. No Texas residency is required to apply in Hidalgo County.

Hidalgo County Clerk - Marriage License

The Hidalgo County Clerk in Edinburg issues marriage licenses for all of Hidalgo County, which includes Mission, McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, and other Rio Grande Valley communities. You must go to the main clerk's office in Edinburg to apply. Both applicants need to be present at the same time. Bring all required documents and the fee. The clerk follows Texas Family Code Chapter 2 for all applications.

The application form asks for each person's full legal name including maiden name, date of birth, birthplace, Social Security number, and prior marriage history. You will sign the application under oath before the clerk. Once the clerk issues the license, the 72-hour waiting period begins automatically.

Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course before applying pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard amount. The eight-hour course covers communication and relationship skills. Bring the completion certificate to the clerk when you apply. You won't receive a refund if you bring it after the application is processed.

Note: Edinburg is about 10 miles north of Mission. Plan for the drive and allow extra time during busy weekday mornings when the clerk's office tends to be crowded.

How to Get Your Marriage License in Mission

Both applicants must go in person to the Hidalgo County Clerk in Edinburg. You cannot apply by mail or send someone else in your place. Both people must be there at the same time to complete the application, take the oath, and receive the license.

Documents to bring for each applicant:

• Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card
• Your Social Security number (memorize it or bring the card)
• Certified copy of divorce decree if either person was divorced in the last 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (Texas Family Code Section 2.003 has required this since September 1, 2017)
• Twogether in Texas certificate if you want the reduced fee and waiting period waiver

There is no Texas residency requirement. You do not have to live in Mission, Hidalgo County, or even Texas to apply here. Any couple from any state can apply in any Texas county. Most couples in Mission apply at the Edinburg courthouse, which is the closest and most convenient location for Hidalgo County residents.

After the wedding ceremony, your officiant signs the license and must return it to the Hidalgo County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and files the original. Certified copies can be requested after recording. The marriage also gets forwarded to the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit for the statewide record.

The Hidalgo County Clerk's website provides information on marriage license requirements, fees, and how to apply for residents of Mission and all other Hidalgo County communities.

Texas DSHS Vital Statistics maintains a statewide record of all marriages, including those issued in Hidalgo County to Mission residents.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the clerk issues the license. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The ceremony cannot take place until 72 hours have passed. If you get your license on a Tuesday at 10 AM, the earliest your ceremony can happen is Friday at 10 AM.

Active-duty military members are exempt from the waiting period. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples with a valid Twogether in Texas certificate skip the wait entirely. That program also reduces the fee from about $82 to around $22, a savings of $60. The course is free and takes about eight hours to complete. It's available online and at sites across Texas. Go to twogetherintexas.com to find a class or start online.

The license is valid for 90 days from issue. You must hold the ceremony within that window. If the license expires before the ceremony, you need to apply and pay again. Couples in Mission typically apply one to two weeks before the wedding to give themselves comfortable time on both ends.

Marriage Records in Mission and Hidalgo County

The Hidalgo County Clerk holds all marriage records for the county, including those for Mission residents. After the officiant returns the signed license, the clerk records it and it becomes part of the permanent public record. Certified copies are available from the clerk for about $21 each.

You can also contact the Texas Department of State Health Services for statewide verification letters at $20. DSHS can confirm that a marriage record is on file but cannot issue certified copies. For certified copies, you must go to the Hidalgo County Clerk directly or send a written request by mail.

Keep a certified copy of your marriage license somewhere safe. You'll need it to change your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, bank accounts, and other documents. It's best to request a certified copy right after the wedding rather than waiting until you need it urgently later on.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying Texas cities near Mission where you can also get a marriage license:

Hidalgo County Marriage License

Mission is in Hidalgo County. All marriage licenses for Mission are issued by the Hidalgo County Clerk in Edinburg. Visit the Hidalgo County page for more details on the application process and available resources.

View Hidalgo County Marriage License