Temple Marriage License
If you need a marriage license in Temple, Texas, you apply at the Bell County Clerk's office in Belton, which is just a few miles from Temple and serves as the county seat. The Bell County Clerk handles all formal and informal marriage license applications for Temple and the rest of Bell County. Both applicants must appear together in person. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Bell County charges $67 for a marriage license, which is one of the lower fees in Texas. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place.
Temple Overview
Bell County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Bell County Clerk's office is located in the Bell County Justice Complex in Belton, about 10 minutes south of Temple. This is the only place in Bell County where you can get a formal or informal marriage license. Both applicants must be present at the same time. You cannot apply by mail or send someone in your place.
Bell County's marriage license fee is $67, which is lower than many other Texas counties where the fee runs closer to $82. Call ahead to confirm the current fee and verify hours before making the trip from Temple. The office is open standard business hours Monday through Friday.
| Office | Bell County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 550 E 2nd Ave Belton, TX 76513 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | $67 (one of the lowest fees in Texas) |
| Website | co.bell.tx.us |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee. The course is free, takes about eight hours online, and covers communication and relationship skills. Bring your completion certificate to the Bell County Clerk's office when you apply. The reduced fee varies but is significantly lower than the standard $67.
If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day wait after divorce before a new license can be issued.
How to Get Your Marriage License in Temple
Both applicants drive to the Bell County Clerk's office in Belton. It is a short trip from Temple. Go together, fill out the application, show your IDs, and pay the fee. The process is standard across all Texas counties.
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 divorce decree if either person was divorced in the last 30 days
- Court order if you are under 18 (required in Texas since September 1, 2017)
No residency requirement applies. You do not have to live in Bell County or Texas to get a license here. The license is valid anywhere in Texas for 90 days. Once the clerk issues the license, the 72-hour waiting period starts. The ceremony cannot take place until 72 full hours after the time of issuance.
The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 requires both applicants' full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and Social Security numbers. It also asks about prior marriages. The clerk reviews all answers before issuing the license. Be prepared and honest on the form to avoid delays.
After the ceremony, your officiant must sign the license and return it to the Bell County Clerk within 30 days. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the permanent public record.
The Bell County Clerk's website has current details on marriage license fees, hours, and what to expect at the Belton office that serves Temple.
Bell County's lower fee and convenient Belton location make it a practical choice for couples in Temple who need a marriage license.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour waiting period between when the clerk issues your license and when the ceremony can legally happen. Apply at least three full days before the wedding. The 72 hours runs from the exact time of issuance, not from midnight.
Bell County's standard fee is $67, which is lower than many Texas counties. Three exceptions allow you to waive the 72-hour wait. Active-duty military members can waive it with proper documentation. A judge can grant a written waiver for documented cause. And couples who finish the Twogether in Texas premarital course can waive the wait and pay a reduced fee. That course is free and available online at the Twogether in Texas program site. Completing it saves both time and money.
The license is valid for 90 days. If you don't marry within that period, the license expires and you must apply and pay again. Most couples in Temple apply about one to two weeks before the ceremony. That easily clears the 72-hour requirement while leaving the license plenty of time before expiration.
Marriage License Records in Temple
Once your ceremony is done and the officiant returns the signed license to the Bell County Clerk, the record is filed and becomes public. Certified copies of the marriage license cost about $21 each. You can get them from the Bell County Clerk in person or by mail. Order at least one right after the wedding for name-change purposes.
Certified copies are used for updating your driver's license, Social Security card, bank accounts, insurance, and other documents after marriage. They are also needed for legal matters including immigration applications and some benefit enrollments. Get one early. Coming back for it later is easy but takes time and costs a fee each time.
The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index of Texas marriages from 1966 forward. They provide verification letters for $20. This is a useful tool if you need to verify a marriage record from another Texas county or from years ago. For most day-to-day legal needs, though, the certified copy from Bell County is the right document.
Bell County marriage records stretch back many decades. Researchers can contact the clerk's office for guidance on accessing older records.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Temple where you can also get a marriage license:
Bell County Marriage License
Temple is in Bell County. All marriage licenses for Temple are issued by the Bell County Clerk in Belton. Visit the Bell County page for full details on fees, office information, and requirements.