Bastrop County Marriage License

Bastrop County, Texas is one of the original 23 counties formed in 1836, and today marriage licenses are issued through the County Clerk's office in Bastrop. Both applicants must appear in person together, present valid photo IDs, and provide their Social Security numbers. No residency in the county or state is required. The standard fee is approximately $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, the fee drops to around $22. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued, and the license remains valid for 90 days. The county is located east of Austin and sees many couples from the Austin metro area applying here.

Bastrop County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Bastrop County Clerk handles all marriage license applications from the Bastrop County Courthouse. The office issues formal and informal marriage licenses and maintains permanent marriage records for the county. Bastrop County has grown significantly due to its proximity to Austin, so the clerk's office sees increased demand. No appointment is typically needed, but arriving early in the day helps avoid longer waits.

The fee for a formal marriage license is approximately $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, it drops to around $22. The informal marriage declaration fee is approximately $42. Certified copies are about $21 each. Confirm payment methods with the office before your visit, as some rural and smaller county offices prefer cash or money order.

The Bastrop County official website provides contact details and department listings including the County Clerk's services.

The county website helps confirm current hours and any updates to procedures for obtaining a marriage license in Bastrop County.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Bastrop County

The requirements in Bastrop County are set by Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Both applicants must appear together in person. Each must have a valid government-issued photo ID and be prepared to provide a Social Security number.

Acceptable IDs include a Texas driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military identification. A certified birth certificate combined with a valid photo ID also qualifies. If either applicant was divorced within the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas law sets a 30-day gap between a divorce and new license issuance under Section 2.009. Remarrying the same person you recently divorced is an exception to this rule.

Applicants must be 18 or older. Anyone under 18 needs a court order removing disabilities of minority per the 2017 change to Texas law. No blood test is required. No proof of residency is needed. The license is valid anywhere in Texas. Bastrop County also borders Travis County, so couples from the Austin area often have a choice of which county to apply in. The fee and process are similar at both offices.

72-Hour Waiting Period and the Twogether Program

Every Texas marriage license comes with a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can occur. This is established in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Apply at least three days before your wedding date. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The waiting period can be waived for active duty military, by written court order, or by completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education program. Completing the Twogether course also reduces the license fee from about $82 to about $22. The 8-hour course is offered at approved locations around the state. Couples near the Austin area often have several convenient class locations to choose from. The certificate must be from within one year before your application date.

Note: If you are getting married in the Lost Pines area or at a venue in Bastrop County, make sure your license is from any Texas county. The county where you get your license does not need to match the county where you hold your ceremony. A Bastrop County license works for a ceremony in Travis County and vice versa.

Bastrop County Marriage Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Bastrop County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage is part of the public record. You can then order certified copies.

Certified copies from the Bastrop County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. You need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration and the Texas DPS, as well as for insurance, bank accounts, and other legal purposes. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail.

For statewide records verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics section holds an index of marriages from all Texas counties since 1966. Verification letters cost $20. For actual certified copies, contact the specific county clerk where the license was issued. Bastrop County maintains its own records going back many decades as one of Texas's oldest counties.

Nearby Counties

Bastrop County is east of Austin between the Colorado River and the Piney Woods. Neighboring counties also issue marriage licenses under the same state requirements.