Waco Marriage License
To get a marriage license in Waco, both applicants must appear in person at the McLennan County Clerk's office, which is right in Waco since the city serves as the county seat of McLennan County. The McLennan County Clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses for Waco and the rest of McLennan County. Both people need valid photo ID, must know their Social Security numbers, and pay the fee at the time of application. Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period between the time the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can legally occur, so apply early enough to allow for that delay before your wedding.
Waco Overview
McLennan County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The McLennan County Clerk's office is located in the McLennan County Courthouse in downtown Waco. This is the only place in McLennan County where you can get a formal or informal marriage license. Waco is the county seat, so no travel to another city is required. Both applicants must show up at the same time and apply in person. No proxy or mail applications are accepted.
The office is open standard business hours Monday through Friday. Arrive with enough time to complete the paperwork before the office closes. The clerk's staff can answer questions about the process, required documents, and current fees. Call ahead to verify hours and confirm the current fee before making the trip.
| Office | McLennan County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 N 5th St Waco, TX 76701 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (call to confirm current amount) |
| Website | co.mclennan.tx.us |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. The course is free, takes about eight hours to complete online, and covers communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning. Bring the completion certificate to the clerk's office when you apply.
If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 prevents issuance of a new license within 30 days of a divorce without that document.
How to Get Your Marriage License in Waco
Both applicants go to the McLennan County Courthouse together. You fill out the state application, show IDs, give your Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. The process is the same at every Texas county clerk's office. Most people finish the visit in under an hour if they come prepared.
What to bring:
- Valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- Your Social Security number (the card itself 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 either applicant is under 18 (required in Texas since September 1, 2017)
Texas has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't have to live in Waco, McLennan County, or even Texas to apply here. The license is valid anywhere in Texas once issued. Most Waco couples apply here for convenience, but you could apply in any Texas county. Once the clerk issues the license, the 72-hour clock starts. You cannot hold the ceremony until 72 full hours have passed.
The state application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers for both applicants. It also asks whether either person has been married before and how that marriage ended. The clerk reviews the answers before issuing the license.
After the ceremony, your officiant must sign and return the license to the McLennan County Clerk within 30 days per Texas Family Code Section 2.206. That return step finalizes the legal record. Contact the clerk's office if the license is not returned on time.
The McLennan County Clerk's website has current details on fees, hours, and the marriage license process at the Waco courthouse.
Both applicants must visit the McLennan County Courthouse in downtown Waco together to complete the marriage license application in person.
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 take place. This is not three calendar days from the following day. It is 72 exact hours from the time of issuance. Apply at least three full days before the ceremony.
There are limited exceptions. Active-duty military can waive the 72-hour wait. A judge can grant a written waiver for documented cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can also waive the wait and pay less. The standard fee in McLennan County is about $82. With a completion certificate from the Twogether in Texas course, the fee drops to about $22. The course is free and takes eight hours to complete online. Sign up at the Twogether in Texas program site.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. After 90 days, it expires. No extensions. If you miss the window, you apply again and pay again. Plan your application date carefully. Most Waco couples apply one to two weeks before the wedding. That clears the 72-hour wait while keeping the license well within its 90-day life.
Marriage License Records in Waco
Once the officiant returns the signed license to the McLennan County Clerk after the ceremony, the record is filed and becomes permanent public record. Certified copies cost about $21 each. You can get them in person or by mail from the McLennan County Clerk. Order at least one right after the wedding for use in legal name-change processes.
Certified copies are needed for updating your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, bank accounts, and insurance documents. They are also required for immigration-related matters in many cases. Get one early. The process for obtaining a replacement later is simple but takes time and costs money. Having a copy ready when you need it is much easier.
The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index of Texas marriages from 1966 forward. They offer verification letters for $20. A verification letter confirms a record is on file but is not a certified copy from the county. For most legal needs, the McLennan County certified copy is the right document to have.
McLennan County marriage records go back many decades. Genealogical researchers can contact the clerk's office to ask about older records and how to request access. Some historical records may also be available through genealogy databases or archive collections.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Waco where you can also get a marriage license:
McLennan County Marriage License
Waco is the county seat of McLennan County. All marriage licenses for Waco are issued by the McLennan County Clerk. Visit the McLennan County page for full details on requirements, fees, and office information.