Odessa Texas Marriage License
To get married in Odessa, you need a Texas marriage license from the Ector County Clerk before the ceremony takes place. Odessa is the county seat of Ector County, so the clerk's office is in town and easy to reach. Both applicants must come in together, present valid photo ID, and pay the fee. No residency in Texas is required. After the clerk issues the license, a 72-hour waiting period begins, so plan to apply at least three full days before your wedding. The license is good for 90 days once issued.
Odessa Overview
Ector County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Ector County Clerk in Odessa handles all marriage license applications for the county. You must apply in person. Both applicants must be present at the same time. The clerk's office is in the Ector County Courthouse in downtown Odessa. You fill out the application, present your ID and Social Security number, sign the form under oath, and pay the fee before the clerk issues the license.
Ector County follows Texas Family Code Chapter 2 for all license applications. The form asks for full legal names including maiden names, dates of birth, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. Once the clerk issues the license, it is valid anywhere in Texas for 90 days.
| Office | Ector County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N Grant Ave, Room 111 Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (confirm current amount with the clerk) |
| Website | co.ector.tx.us |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course and bring the completion certificate to the clerk when they apply pay about $22 instead of the standard fee. The certificate also allows you to skip the 72-hour waiting period. Bring the certificate with you when you go to apply. No refund is given if you bring it after the application is processed.
Note: Call the Ector County Clerk before your visit to confirm office hours, current fees, and accepted payment methods.
How to Get Your Marriage License in Odessa
The process is in person only. Both people must show up together at the Ector County Clerk's office. You can't send a representative, file by mail, or apply online. Both applicants must be there at the same time to complete the application and receive the license.
Documents required for each applicant:
- Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport
- Social Security number (the card is helpful but not strictly required if you 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 (required since September 1, 2017)
- Twogether in Texas certificate if seeking the reduced fee and waiting period waiver
There is no residency requirement. You don't have to live in Odessa or Ector County to apply here. Any couple from anywhere in Texas or out of state can apply in any Texas county. Most Odessa couples apply at the local courthouse since it's the most convenient option.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Ector County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage. Certified copies can be requested after recording. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit is also notified, adding the marriage to the statewide record.
The Ector County Clerk's office in the Odessa courthouse is where couples in the area come to apply for their Texas marriage license in person.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index of all marriage records, including those issued in Ector County for Odessa residents.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between when the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. This is set out in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The wait applies to virtually everyone. If you get the license on a Thursday at 2 PM, the earliest the ceremony can happen is Sunday at 2 PM.
Active-duty military members are exempt from the waiting period. A judge can issue a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course skip the wait entirely. That program also reduces the license fee from approximately $82 to about $22. The course is free and takes about eight hours. It's available online and at locations around the state. Visit twogetherintexas.com to learn more and sign up.
The license is valid for 90 days from issue. If you don't use it in that time, it expires. You'd then need to apply and pay again. Most couples in Odessa apply about one to two weeks before the wedding day. That gives comfortable time for the waiting period and leaves days to spare before expiration.
Marriage Records in Odessa
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Ector County Clerk. The clerk records it and keeps the original on file. The record is public. Certified copies cost about $21 each and are available from the Ector County Clerk in person or by written request.
You can also contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit for a $20 verification letter. This confirms that a marriage record is in the statewide system. DSHS letters are widely accepted for name change and benefit purposes but are not the same as certified copies from the county.
Get a certified copy right after your wedding. You'll use it to update your name with the Social Security Administration, the Texas DPS, your bank, and other agencies. It's a lot easier to get a copy while the record is fresh than to search for it later.
Note: For historical records older than a few decades, contact the Ector County Clerk directly to ask about availability and search options.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Odessa where you can also get a marriage license:
Ector County Marriage License
Odessa is the county seat of Ector County. All marriage licenses for Odessa are issued by the Ector County Clerk. Visit the Ector County page for more details on the process, fees, and local resources.