San Antonio Marriage License
To get a marriage license in San Antonio, both applicants must appear in person at the Bexar County Clerk's office and apply together on the same visit. The Bexar County Clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses for San Antonio and the rest of Bexar County. Both people need to bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and pay the fee at the time of application. The office accepts cash or credit card. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can happen, so schedule your visit with enough time before your wedding day.
San Antonio Overview
Bexar County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Bexar County Clerk's office is the place to go for a marriage license in San Antonio. The office is located in the Paul Elizondo Tower in downtown San Antonio, a short drive or ride from most parts of the city. San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County, so the main clerk's office is right here. Both applicants must show up at the same time. There is no way to apply remotely or by proxy under Texas law.
Bexar County accepts cash or credit card for the marriage license fee. The current fee is $81. That's slightly below the standard $82 you see in many Texas counties, but call ahead to confirm the amount hasn't changed. Hours are standard business hours Monday through Friday. Arrive early enough to allow time for the application process before the office closes.
| Office | Bexar County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Dolorosa St #104 San Antonio, TX 78205 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | $81 (cash or credit card) |
| Website | bexar.org/1758/Marriage-Licenses |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $21 instead of $81. The course is free and takes about eight hours online. Bring your completion certificate to the clerk's office when you apply.
If either applicant was divorced within the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, Texas does not allow a new marriage license to be issued within 30 days of a divorce without that document.
How to Get Your Marriage License in San Antonio
Both applicants go to the Bexar County Clerk's office together. The process is the same across all Texas counties. Fill out the state application, show IDs, provide Social Security numbers, and pay. Most people complete the visit in under an hour when they arrive prepared.
What to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- Your Social Security number (the physical card is not required, but you must know the number)
- Certified copy of your divorce decree if you were divorced in the last 30 days
- A court order if you are under 18 (Texas requires one for minors as of September 1, 2017)
No residency is required. You do not have to live in Bexar County or Texas to apply at this office. The license is valid anywhere in Texas. Most San Antonio couples apply here since it's convenient, but any Texas county will issue you a license. Once the clerk issues your license, the 72-hour waiting period begins. The ceremony cannot happen before that 72-hour window closes.
The state application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for each applicant's full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and Social Security number. It also asks about prior marriages. Answer accurately. The clerk reviews all answers before issuing the license.
After the ceremony, your officiant must sign the license and return it to the Bexar County Clerk within 30 days under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. That step completes the legal record. If it doesn't happen, contact the clerk's office for guidance on correcting the situation.
The Bexar County Clerk's marriage license page has current fee information, office hours, and what to expect when you visit in San Antonio.
Checking the Bexar County website before your visit helps you confirm current requirements and bring the right documents.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour waiting period between the time the clerk issues your license and when the ceremony can legally begin. Apply at least three full days before your wedding. The 72 hours is counted from the exact time of issuance, not from midnight of the following day.
There are a few narrow exceptions. Active-duty military can waive the wait with proper documentation. A judge can grant a written waiver for cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course can skip the wait and pay a much lower fee. In Bexar County the standard fee is $81. With a Twogether in Texas completion certificate, that drops to about $21. The course is free, available online, and takes about eight hours to complete. Visit the Twogether in Texas program site to get started.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. After 90 days it expires. There is no renewal. If the 90-day window passes before the ceremony, you have to apply again and pay again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the wedding. That leaves time for the 72-hour wait while keeping the license well within its 90-day lifespan.
Bexar County also handles informal marriage declarations for couples formalizing a common-law union. Contact the clerk's office directly for details on that process and the current fee.
Marriage License Records in San Antonio
Once the officiant returns the signed license to the Bexar County Clerk after the ceremony, the record is filed and becomes permanent public record. Anyone can request a copy. Certified copies cost about $21 each and can be ordered in person or by mail from the Bexar County Clerk.
Certified copies are what you need for name changes, benefit enrollment, immigration applications, and other legal purposes. Order at least one right after your wedding. The process of getting a replacement copy later is easy but costs money and takes time. Having one on hand from the start is simpler.
For statewide marriage verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index of Texas marriages from 1966 to the present. They provide verification letters for $20. Those letters confirm a record exists but are not the same as certified copies. For most legal needs, the certified copy from the county clerk is the right document to get.
Bexar County processes one of the highest volumes of marriage licenses in Texas. Records go back many decades. Older records and genealogical research inquiries can be directed to the Bexar County Clerk's office, which can advise on what is available and how to access it.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near San Antonio where you can also get a marriage license:
Bexar County Marriage License
San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County. All marriage licenses for San Antonio are issued by the Bexar County Clerk. Visit the Bexar County page for complete details on the application process, fees, and office information.