New Braunfels Marriage License
Couples getting married in New Braunfels need a Texas marriage license from the Comal County Clerk before the ceremony. New Braunfels is the county seat of Comal County, so the clerk's office is right in town on North Seguin Avenue. Both applicants must come in person at the same time, show valid photo ID, and pay the fee. There is no Texas residency requirement. Once the clerk issues your license, a mandatory 72-hour waiting period begins before you can hold the ceremony. Plan ahead so the wedding date falls well within the 90-day validity period of the license.
New Braunfels Overview
Comal County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Comal County Clerk in New Braunfels handles all marriage license applications for the county. Since New Braunfels is the county seat, the office is centrally located for most residents. Both applicants must be present at the same time. You fill out the application, show your documents, take the oath, and pay the fee before the clerk issues the license.
The Comal County Clerk follows the rules set out in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. The application collects full legal names, maiden names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, birthplaces, and prior marriage history. Once issued, the license is valid anywhere in Texas for 90 days.
| Office | Comal County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 N Seguin Ave New Braunfels, TX 78130 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | co.comal.tx.us |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course before applying pay a reduced fee of about $22 and can waive the 72-hour waiting period. Bring the completion certificate when you visit the clerk. No refund is given if you bring the certificate after the application is done.
Note: Comal County has grown rapidly in recent years. The clerk's office can get busy, especially on Friday afternoons. Arriving early in the week and earlier in the day will help you avoid a long wait.
How to Get Your Marriage License in New Braunfels
Both applicants must appear together at the Comal County Clerk's office. You can't send someone else or mail in an application. Both people have to be physically present at the same time. Most applications are completed the same day.
Documents to bring for each applicant:
- Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport
- Social Security number (you don't need the card, just know the number)
- Certified copy of divorce decree if either person was divorced within the last 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (Texas Family Code Section 2.003, effective September 1, 2017)
- Twogether in Texas certificate if seeking reduced fee and waiver of waiting period
Texas has no residency requirement. You don't have to live in New Braunfels or Comal County to apply here. The license is valid anywhere in the state once issued. Many couples who plan to hold their wedding ceremony in the New Braunfels area but live elsewhere choose to apply locally for convenience.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Comal County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and forwards the information to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Once recorded, the marriage is part of the public record and certified copies can be ordered.
The Comal County Clerk's website has information on marriage license requirements, fees, and how to apply for residents of New Braunfels and all of Comal County.
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics maintains the statewide marriage record index and includes all marriages recorded in Comal County.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Under Texas Family Code Section 2.204, there is a required 72-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can happen. This applies to nearly all couples. If you pick up the license Monday at 9 AM, the ceremony can't happen until Thursday at 9 AM.
Exceptions exist. Active-duty military are exempt. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples with a Twogether in Texas certificate skip the wait entirely and also pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. That's a $60 savings. The course is free, takes about eight hours, and is available online and at sites across Texas. Go to twogetherintexas.com to find a class.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. If the ceremony doesn't happen within that window, the license expires and you must apply again. Most couples in New Braunfels apply one to two weeks before the wedding. That gives you enough time after the waiting period and plenty of days left before the 90-day mark.
Marriage Records in New Braunfels
The Comal County Clerk holds all marriage records for the county. After the officiant returns the signed license, the clerk records it and files the original. The record is part of the public archive. Certified copies are available from the Comal County Clerk for about $21 each. You can request them in person or by written request.
For statewide verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services can provide a $20 verification letter confirming a marriage record is in their system. DSHS verification letters are not certified copies but are widely accepted for name change and benefit purposes.
Keep at least one certified copy of your marriage license after the wedding. You will need it for name changes on your driver's license, Social Security card, bank accounts, and more. Getting a copy right after the ceremony is much easier than trying to track one down months or years later when you're in the middle of some other important task.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near New Braunfels where you can also get a marriage license:
Comal County Marriage License
New Braunfels is the county seat of Comal County. All marriage licenses for New Braunfels are issued by the Comal County Clerk. Visit the Comal County page for more details on the application process and local resources.