Bowie County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Bowie County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Boston, the county seat located in far northeast Texas near the Arkansas border. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, and no Texas residency is required to apply here. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. The 72-hour waiting period begins the moment the license is issued, and the license remains valid for 90 days.

Bowie County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Bowie County Clerk's office in Boston is where all marriage license applications for the county are processed. Bowie County is in the far northeastern corner of Texas, bordering Arkansas and near Texarkana. The clerk's office handles all official records for the county, including marriage licenses for both formal and informal (common law) marriages.

Note that while the county seat is Boston, the largest city in Bowie County is Texarkana, which straddles the Texas-Arkansas state line. If you are in the Texarkana area and need a Texas marriage license, you apply at the Bowie County Clerk's office in Boston. The office is open regular weekday hours. Call ahead before visiting, especially on days near state holidays.

The clerk typically accepts cash and check. Call to verify card payment options. The standard fee is about $82. With a Twogether in Texas completion certificate, that fee drops to approximately $22. Bring the certificate to the clerk's office on the day you apply.

If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a new marriage license cannot be issued until 30 days after a divorce is finalized.

The Bowie County official website provides contact information for the county clerk and general information about county services in New Boston.

Visit the Bowie County site or call the clerk's office before your trip to confirm current hours and requirements for marriage license applications.

How to Get a Marriage License in Bowie County

Both applicants must appear together at the Bowie County Clerk's office. There is no option to apply separately or by proxy. Bring the required documents, fill out the state application, and pay the fee. The clerk issues the license the same day in most cases.

What each applicant must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (you must know it; a card is helpful but not always required)
• 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)

No residency in Texas or Bowie County is required. The license can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Texas. No blood test is needed. The standard application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates and places, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. Answer all questions accurately and fully.

People living in Texarkana on the Arkansas side who want a Texas marriage license can apply at the Bowie County Clerk's office. A Texas marriage license can be used for ceremonies in Texas. Those wanting a ceremony in Arkansas would need an Arkansas marriage license from the appropriate Arkansas county clerk.

The 72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Once the Bowie County Clerk issues the license, Texas law requires a 72-hour wait before the ceremony can legally take place. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. A license issued Tuesday at noon means the earliest ceremony is Friday at noon.

The wait can be waived three ways. Active duty military are exempt. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course can waive the wait and also pay a lower license fee. The course is 8 hours and available in multiple formats. Bring the completion certificate to the clerk when applying. The standard Bowie County fee is about $82, dropping to approximately $22 with the certificate.

The license is valid for 90 days. If unused, it expires and you must reapply and pay again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony to allow plenty of time after the 72-hour hold while staying within 90 days. If you are planning a destination ceremony elsewhere in Texas, the timeline stays the same since the license is valid statewide.

Bowie County also processes informal marriage declarations through the clerk's office. Both people must appear in person. The fee is approximately $42. The declaration is filed and becomes part of the permanent public record.

Bowie County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Bowie County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 requires this. Once the clerk records it, the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record and certified copies can be requested.

Certified copies from Bowie County cost approximately $21 each. Request them in person or by mail. For Texas-wide records from 1966 to the present, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index. They issue verification letters for $20, which confirm a record exists but are not certified copies from the county clerk.

Older Bowie County marriage records are archived at the courthouse. Genealogists can request access through the clerk's office. Some historical records may be available through online genealogy databases.

Nearby Counties

Bowie County is in far northeast Texas. The following nearby Texas counties have their own clerk offices that issue marriage licenses.