Find a Marriage License in Bexar County

Bexar County is one of the most populated counties in Texas, and the County Clerk's office in San Antonio issues a large number of marriage licenses each year. Both applicants must appear in person to apply under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency in Texas is required. Both people need valid photo ID, their Social Security numbers, and must plan for the 72-hour wait after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 90 days. The Bexar County Clerk accepts cash or credit card, and the office is located in downtown San Antonio.

Bexar County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Bexar County Clerk's office in San Antonio processes a high volume of marriage license applications. This is a busy downtown location, so plan for potential wait times especially on Fridays and the day before holidays. Staff can assist with forms, answer questions about documentation, and process payment on-site. The clerk's office also keeps the official record once the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

The main location is at 100 Dolorosa St, Suite 104 in downtown San Antonio. Parking options vary near the courthouse, so check ahead if you are unfamiliar with the area. Business hours run Monday through Friday. The office closes on Texas state holidays and federal holidays. Calling ahead to confirm current hours is always a good idea for a busy office like this one.

Bexar County accepts cash or credit card. The standard fee is $81. With a valid Twogether in Texas completion certificate, that fee drops substantially. Confirm the reduced amount with the clerk's office when you call. Fees can change, so verify the current amount before your visit.

If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 bars issuing a new license within 30 days of a divorce being finalized.

The Bexar County marriage license page on the official county website provides detailed instructions, required documents, and fee information for applicants in San Antonio.

Review the Bexar County site before your visit for the most current hours, fee schedule, and any updates to the application process.

How to Get a Marriage License in Bexar County

Both applicants go to the clerk's office in person. You fill out the state application form, show your IDs, provide Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. Licenses are typically issued the same day. Given the volume at this office, arriving early helps.

Each applicant must have:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (you must know it; a card helps)
• Certified copy of divorce decree if divorced within the past 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)

No Texas residency is needed. A Bexar County license is valid anywhere in the state. No blood test is required. The application under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, and prior marriage history including how previous marriages ended. Answer all questions accurately. Both applicants sign the form under oath.

Bexar County also serves a large military population at Fort Sam Houston and Lackland Air Force Base. Active duty personnel are eligible for the waiting period waiver. Military ID is accepted as valid photo identification at the clerk's office.

The 72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas law requires a 72-hour wait between the issuance of the license and the start of the ceremony. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 sets this rule. Plan accordingly. A license issued Monday morning means the earliest legal ceremony is Thursday morning.

Active duty military members can waive the 72-hour requirement. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course can also skip the wait. That course runs 8 hours and reduces the fee significantly. The standard Bexar County fee is $81. With a completion certificate from the Twogether in Texas program, that amount drops. Check the clerk's website for the exact reduced rate. Present the certificate at the time of application.

The license expires after 90 days. If you do not use it in time, you must reapply and pay again. Most couples get the license one to two weeks before the ceremony. That timing gives enough buffer after the 72-hour wait and keeps the license well within the 90-day window.

Informal (common law) marriage declarations are also handled at the Bexar County Clerk's office. Both people must appear in person and the fee is approximately $42. The declaration is recorded and is a permanent public document.

Bexar County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Bexar County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk files it, the record is permanent and publicly accessible. Certified copies can then be requested for name changes, insurance updates, or other legal needs.

Certified copies from the Bexar County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For marriages anywhere in Texas from 1966 onward, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index and issues verification letters for $20. These verification letters are not certified copies but do confirm a record is on file.

Older Bexar County marriage records are part of the permanent public archive at the courthouse. Researchers can request historical records from the clerk's office. Some older records may also be available through genealogy websites or county archives.

Cities in Bexar County

San Antonio is the primary city in Bexar County and has its own marriage license information page.

Nearby Counties

Bexar County is in south-central Texas and borders several other counties with their own clerk offices.