Get a Marriage License in Bee County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Bee County Clerk's office in Beeville to get a marriage license in Texas. The County Clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2 and does not require either applicant to be a Texas resident. You will need a valid photo ID, your Social Security number, and the ability to wait 72 hours after the license is issued before holding the ceremony. The license stays valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.

Bee County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Bee County Clerk in Beeville handles all marriage license applications for the county. This is the only office in Bee County where you can apply for a formal or informal marriage license. Staff there can walk you through the application, answer questions about what to bring, and process your payment on the spot.

The office is at the Bee County Courthouse in Beeville. There are no branch locations for marriage licenses. Business hours run Monday through Friday. Closures occur on state holidays, so it is worth calling before you make the trip if your timing is close to a holiday.

The clerk accepts cash and check. Confirm card payment options by phone before your visit. The standard marriage license fee is approximately $82. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops to around $22. Bring your course completion certificate with you to the office.

If either applicant was divorced in the last 30 days, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, Texas does not allow a new marriage license to be issued within 30 days of a divorce becoming final.

Visit the Bee County official website for current contact information and county clerk services, including details about applying for a marriage license in Beeville.

The county website also provides information on other clerk services and links to state resources for marriage and vital records.

How to Get a Marriage License in Bee County

The process is direct. Both applicants go to the clerk's office together. You fill out the application, show your IDs, give your Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. Most applications are processed the same day.

Here is what each applicant needs to bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (knowing it is required; bringing the card helps but is not always mandatory)
• Certified copy of divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)

Neither applicant needs to live in Bee County or Texas to apply here. The license works anywhere in Texas once issued. No blood test is needed. No medical documents are required. The application collects full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, and prior marriage history. This is the standard state application form laid out in Texas Family Code Section 2.004.

Answer all questions on the form honestly. The clerk will ask about prior marriages and whether they ended by death, divorce, or annulment. This information helps the clerk confirm you are legally eligible to marry before issuing the license. Any misrepresentation on the application is a criminal offense under Texas law.

The 72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

After the Bee County Clerk issues your license, Texas law requires a 72-hour wait before the ceremony can happen. That rule is in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. A license issued on Tuesday afternoon means the earliest legal ceremony time is Friday afternoon.

Three things can waive the wait. Active duty military members are exempt. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause shown. Couples who finish the Twogether in Texas premarital education program can also skip the 72-hour hold and pay a reduced fee. That course runs 8 hours and is available online or in person at locations around the state. Bring the completion certificate to the clerk's office when you apply and both benefits apply immediately.

The standard fee in Bee County is approximately $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, that drops to roughly $22. The license expires after 90 days. If you miss the window, you have to start over. Plan the application date carefully, especially if your ceremony date is set. Most people apply one to two weeks before the ceremony.

Common law (informal) marriage declarations are also processed at the Bee County Clerk's office. The fee is about $42 for that form. Both people must appear in person. The declaration is filed with the clerk and becomes a permanent public record.

Bee County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and must return it to the Bee County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 requires this. Once filed, the record is permanent and public. You can then request certified copies for legal purposes like changing your name with Social Security or updating insurance beneficiaries.

Certified copies of marriage records from Bee County cost approximately $21 each. You can get them in person at the clerk's office or by sending a written request by mail. For records anywhere in Texas going back to 1966, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide index and can issue verification letters for $20. These letters confirm a record exists but are not certified copies.

Historical marriage records from Bee County are part of the permanent public archive. Researchers and genealogists can request older records from the clerk's office directly. Some records may also appear in digital genealogy databases.

Nearby Counties

Bee County is located in south Texas. Surrounding counties each have their own clerk's offices that issue marriage licenses under the same state rules.