Archer County Marriage License

The Archer County Clerk in Archer City issues marriage licenses for anyone who needs one in this North Texas county. Both applicants must appear in person together, provide valid photo ID, and supply their Social Security numbers. There is no residency requirement. The standard fee is approximately $82, reduced to around $22 with a Twogether in Texas course completion certificate. A 72-hour waiting period applies before the ceremony can take place, and the license is good for 90 days from the date of issuance. The clerk's office also keeps the official record after the ceremony is complete.

Archer County Clerk - Marriage License Office

All marriage licenses in Archer County are issued at the County Clerk's office at the Archer County Courthouse in Archer City. This is a small rural county, so there is one location only. Call ahead to confirm hours if you are driving a long distance. The clerk handles formal marriages, informal marriage declarations, and records requests.

The fee for a formal marriage license is approximately $82. Couples with a valid Twogether in Texas completion certificate pay around $22. The informal marriage declaration fee is around $42. Certified copies of recorded licenses cost approximately $21 each.

Because this is a small county, it is a good idea to call the clerk's office before making the trip. This helps you confirm that the office is open, confirm current fees, and ask about acceptable payment forms. Cash is typically accepted; card payments vary by office.

The Archer County official website provides contact information and details about county offices and departments.

Check the county website before your visit for any updates to office hours or procedures that may affect your application.

What You Need to Apply for a Marriage License

Archer County follows Texas state law for all marriage license applications. The requirements are set by Texas Family Code Chapter 2 and apply uniformly across the state. Both people must appear at the clerk's office in person at the same time in most cases.

Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A Texas driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. You must also know your Social Security number. If either of you was divorced in the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas law requires 30 days to pass after a divorce before a new license can be issued, per Section 2.009. The only exception is if a court granted a waiver of that waiting period.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Under Texas law since September 1, 2017, anyone under 18 must present a court order removing disabilities of minority. Parental consent does not qualify on its own. No blood test is required, and no proof of residency is needed. The license can be used anywhere in Texas once issued.

Waiting Period, Fees, and Twogether in Texas

Texas mandates a 72-hour waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 2.204. You cannot hold your ceremony until 72 hours after the license is issued. The license is then valid for 90 days. If it expires unused, you must apply again and pay again.

The standard fee in Archer County is approximately $82. That covers the state and local fees combined. If you and your partner complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, you can reduce that to about $22. The savings come from a state law that allows counties to waive up to $60 of the fee for couples with a valid course completion certificate. The course takes eight hours and is offered at approved locations statewide.

Active duty military can skip the 72-hour wait entirely. Judges with family law jurisdiction can also grant written waivers in cases with good cause. For most couples, planning the application date at least three days before the ceremony is the simplest approach. The informal marriage declaration is also available at this office for couples who qualify and wish to register a common law marriage.

Marriage License Records in Archer County

Once the ceremony is complete, your officiant must sign and return the marriage license to the Archer County Clerk within 30 days. This step is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. After the clerk records it, the document becomes a permanent public record. Certified copies are available at that point.

Certified copies cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. You will need certified copies for name changes, updating Social Security records, changing beneficiaries, and various legal filings. Keep at least two certified copies for your personal records after the ceremony.

For statewide marriage verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics section keeps an index of marriages from 1966 to the present. Verification letters are available for $20. Those letters confirm a record exists but do not replace a certified copy from the county clerk.

Nearby Counties

Archer County is in North Texas near the Red River. Neighboring counties issue marriage licenses under the same state rules.