Bandera County Marriage License

Bandera County, Texas issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk's office in Bandera, the county seat. Both applicants must appear together in person with valid photo identification and their Social Security numbers. The county is in the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio and is a popular destination for weddings. The standard license fee is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay around $22. A 72-hour waiting period applies after issuance and the license is valid for 90 days. No residency in the county or state is needed to apply.

Bandera County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Bandera County Clerk issues all marriage licenses in the county from the courthouse in the city of Bandera. The office handles both formal and informal marriage declarations. Given that Bandera County is a popular Hill Country wedding destination, the clerk's office sees applicants from San Antonio and surrounding areas regularly. No appointment is typically needed.

The County Clerk maintains all official marriage records after licenses are returned following ceremonies. Certified copies of recorded licenses are available from this office. There are no satellite locations in Bandera County, so all services are through the main courthouse office.

The standard fee for a formal marriage license in Bandera County is approximately $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, the fee is around $22. The informal marriage declaration is approximately $42. Certified copies are about $21 each. Call ahead to confirm current fees and payment methods.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics section provides statewide context for marriage records in Texas, including Bandera County.

State-level resources from the Texas Department of State Health Services provide information about marriage verification and records that apply to all Texas counties including Bandera.

Marriage License Requirements in Bandera County

All Texas counties follow the same state requirements for marriage licenses, set in Texas Family Code Chapter 2. In Bandera County, both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. Each must provide valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number.

Accepted forms of ID include a Texas driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military identification card. A certified birth certificate paired with a photo ID also works. Each applicant must know their Social Security number. If either person was divorced in the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas requires 30 days to pass after a divorce before a new license can be issued.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Under the 2017 change to Texas Family Code Section 2.003, any person under 18 must have a court order removing disabilities of minority. No blood test is required. No proof of residency in Bandera County or Texas is needed. The license is valid anywhere in Texas once issued.

Waiting Period and License Validity

After the Bandera County Clerk issues your marriage license, you must wait 72 hours before the ceremony. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The license remains valid for 90 days from that date. If the 90-day window passes unused, you must apply and pay again.

Three exceptions allow the 72-hour wait to be skipped. Active duty military are automatically exempt. A judge with family law jurisdiction can issue a written waiver. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course receive an automatic waiver and also get a reduced fee. Bandera County, like most Texas counties, lowers the fee from around $82 to around $22 with a valid Twogether certificate. The course is 8 hours and offered at locations around the state.

Bandera County is close to other Hill Country counties like Kerr, Medina, and Kendall. Couples who want to get married in the Hill Country but are not sure which county clerk to use can apply in any county. The license is valid statewide. Whichever office is most convenient works just fine.

Marriage Records in Bandera County

Your officiant must return the completed and signed license to the Bandera County Clerk within 30 days of the ceremony. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage is public record. Certified copies are available at the clerk's office for $21 each.

Certified copies serve as official proof of marriage for name changes, benefits enrollment, and legal filings. Keep several copies in a safe place after your ceremony. You can also request additional copies later from the Bandera County Clerk if needed.

For verification of any Texas marriage from 1966 to present, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics section offers a statewide search service. Verification letters cost $20. They confirm a record exists but do not replace a certified copy. Contact the county clerk directly for certified copies.

Nearby Counties

Bandera County is in the Texas Hill Country. Neighboring counties all issue marriage licenses under the same state requirements.