Tyler Marriage License
To get a marriage license in Tyler, both applicants must appear in person at the Smith County Clerk's office, which is located right in downtown Tyler since Tyler is the county seat of Smith County. The Smith County Clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses for Tyler and the rest of Smith County. Both people must bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and pay the fee at the time of application. Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period between when the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place, so plan the timing of your visit accordingly before your wedding date.
Tyler Overview
Smith County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Smith County Clerk's office is in the Smith County Courthouse in downtown Tyler. This is the only location in Smith County where you can get a marriage license. Both applicants must appear together. No proxy applications are permitted under Texas law. The clerk handles all marriage license applications, records management, and certified copy requests.
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, so you don't have to travel to a different city to apply. The courthouse is in central Tyler and accessible by car. Paid parking is available nearby. Plan to arrive with time to spare before the office closes at the end of the business day.
| Office | Smith County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N Broadway Ave Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (call to confirm current amount) |
| Website | smith-county.com |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. The course is free and takes about eight hours to complete online. Bring the certificate when you apply to receive the discounted rate.
If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, Texas does not issue a new license within 30 days of a divorce without that documentation.
How to Get Your Marriage License in Tyler
Both applicants go to the Smith County Courthouse together. You fill out the application form, show IDs, provide Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. The visit typically takes less than an hour when you arrive prepared and the office is not busy.
What to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- Your Social Security number (the card is not required, just the number)
- Certified copy of divorce decree if either person was divorced in the last 30 days
- Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required in Texas since September 1, 2017)
Texas does not require residency. You don't have to live in Tyler, Smith County, or Texas to apply here. The license is valid anywhere in Texas. Once the clerk issues the license, the 72-hour waiting period starts. You cannot marry before those 72 hours are fully up.
The application 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 whether either person has been married before and how that marriage ended. Answer accurately. The clerk reviews all entries before issuing the license.
After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the Smith County Clerk within 30 days under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. That return filing completes the legal record. If the officiant fails to return it, contact the clerk's office for help correcting the situation.
The Smith County Clerk's website has current information on marriage license fees, hours, and requirements for Tyler residents.
Checking the Smith County website before your visit helps you confirm what to bring and arrive fully prepared.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour waiting period from the time the clerk issues your license to when the ceremony can legally take place. This applies everywhere in Texas. The clock starts when the license is issued, not the next morning. Apply at least three full days before your ceremony.
There are limited exceptions to the wait. Active-duty military can waive it with proper documentation. A judge can grant a written waiver for documented cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can also waive the 72-hour wait and pay a lower fee. The standard Smith County fee is about $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, it drops to about $22. The course is free, takes eight hours online, and is available through the Twogether in Texas program site.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. If your ceremony has not happened before the 90 days expire, the license is void and you have to apply again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the wedding. That accounts for the 72-hour wait while keeping the license well within the 90-day period.
Smith County also handles informal marriage declarations. Contact the clerk's office for fees and requirements related to that process if it applies to your situation.
Marriage License Records in Tyler
After the ceremony and once the officiant returns the signed license, the Smith County Clerk records it. The marriage is then part of the permanent public record. Certified copies cost about $21 each from the Smith County Clerk. You can request them in person or by mail.
Certified copies are used for name changes on your driver's license, Social Security card, and bank accounts. They are also required for insurance and benefit enrollment and for immigration-related paperwork. Order at least one right after the wedding. It is far easier to get a certified copy immediately than to wait until you urgently need it later.
The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide index of Texas marriages from 1966 forward. They issue verification letters for $20. These confirm that a record exists but are not the same as a certified copy from the county clerk. For most legal tasks, the certified copy from Smith County is what you need.
Smith County marriage records extend back many decades. Genealogists and researchers can contact the clerk's office to learn about older records and how to request access to them.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Tyler where you can also get a marriage license:
Smith County Marriage License
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County. All marriage licenses for Tyler are issued by the Smith County Clerk. Visit the Smith County page for full details on the application process, fees, and office information.