Wichita Falls Marriage License
To get a marriage license in Wichita Falls, both applicants must appear in person at the Wichita County Clerk's office, which is conveniently located right here in Wichita Falls since the city is the county seat of Wichita County. The Wichita County Clerk handles all formal and informal marriage license applications for Wichita Falls and the entire county. Both people must bring valid photo ID and know their Social Security numbers. The fee is paid at the time of application. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before any ceremony can take place, so plan your visit ahead of time to account for that delay.
Wichita Falls Overview
Wichita County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Wichita County Clerk's office is located in the Wichita County Courthouse in downtown Wichita Falls. This is the only place in Wichita County where you can apply for a formal or informal marriage license. Since Wichita Falls is the county seat, there is no need to drive to another city. Both applicants must appear at the office at the same time. No proxy applications are allowed under Texas law.
The clerk's office is open during standard business hours. Plan to arrive well before closing. Bring your documents and be ready to fill out the state application form. Staff can answer questions about what to bring and how the process works. Calling ahead to confirm current hours and fees is always a good idea.
| Office | Wichita County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 7th St Rm 250 Wichita Falls, TX 76301 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Fee | ~$82 (call to confirm current amount) |
| Website | co.wichita.tx.us |
Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22. The course is free and available online. It takes about eight hours to finish. Bring the certificate you receive upon completion when you visit the clerk's office. The reduced fee is applied automatically when you present it.
If either applicant was divorced within the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day waiting period after a divorce before a new license is issued. The clerk will ask about this and needs to see the decree if it applies.
How to Get Your Marriage License in Wichita Falls
The process is simple and the same across all Texas counties. Both applicants go to the Wichita County Clerk's office together. You fill out the application, show IDs, provide Social Security numbers, and pay. The visit usually takes less than an hour if you have everything ready when you walk in.
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, but you must know the number)
- Certified copy of your divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
- Court order if you are under 18 (required in Texas since September 1, 2017)
You do not need to be a resident of Wichita Falls, Wichita County, or Texas to apply here. Texas has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. The license is valid anywhere in the state. Most couples in Wichita Falls apply here for convenience. Once issued, the 72-hour waiting period begins. The ceremony cannot happen until 72 full hours have passed from the time of issuance.
The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 requires 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. Answer honestly and completely. The clerk checks the information before issuing the license.
After the ceremony, your officiant must sign the license and return it to the Wichita County Clerk within 30 days under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. That return finalizes the legal record. If it is not returned, contact the clerk's office for guidance.
The Wichita County Clerk's website has current information about marriage license fees, office hours, and the application process in Wichita Falls.
Checking the county website before your visit helps confirm you have the right documents and know what to expect at the clerk's office.
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 take place. The clock starts at the exact time of issuance. Apply at least 72 full hours before your wedding.
Three exceptions allow you to waive the 72-hour wait. Active-duty military can waive it with documentation. A judge can grant a written waiver for documented cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can skip the wait and also pay a reduced fee. The standard Wichita County fee is about $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, that drops to about $22. The course is free and available online. Visit the Twogether in Texas program site to register and complete it before your clerk's office visit.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date issued. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and you have to start over. You apply again and pay the full fee again. Most couples in Wichita Falls apply one to two weeks before the wedding. That gives time for the 72-hour wait without risking the 90-day limit.
Wichita County also handles informal marriage declarations for couples seeking to formalize a common-law relationship. Ask the clerk's office for current fees and requirements if that applies to your situation.
Marriage License Records in Wichita Falls
After the ceremony and once the officiant returns the signed license to the Wichita County Clerk, the record is filed and becomes part of the permanent public record. Certified copies cost about $21 each. Request them in person or by mail from the Wichita County Clerk. Order at least one right after your wedding.
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 matters. Waiting to order a copy until you urgently need it can cause delays. It is much simpler to order one right away while the record is fresh.
For statewide verification of Texas marriages from 1966 forward, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index. They issue verification letters for $20. A verification letter confirms a record exists but is not a certified copy. For most legal purposes, the county-issued certified copy is the document you actually need.
Wichita County marriage records go back many decades. Genealogists and researchers can contact the clerk's office to learn what older records are available and how to request them.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Wichita Falls where you can also get a marriage license:
Wichita County Marriage License
Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County. All marriage licenses for Wichita Falls are issued by the Wichita County Clerk. Visit the Wichita County page for full details on fees, requirements, and office information.