Apply for a Burleson County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Burleson County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Caldwell. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, and no Texas residency is required. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. The 72-hour waiting period begins when the license is issued, and the license is valid for 90 days. Caldwell is the county seat and the only location where marriage license applications are processed in Burleson County.

Burleson County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Burleson County Clerk in Caldwell handles all official county records including marriage licenses. Burleson County is a rural county between Bryan-College Station and Austin. The clerk's office is the single location in the county where formal and informal marriage licenses are issued. Staff can help with the application form, answer questions about documents and fees, and process the application the same day.

The office is at the Burleson County Courthouse in Caldwell. There are no satellite offices for marriage licenses. Business hours are Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Call before making the trip to confirm hours and availability.

The clerk accepts cash and check. Call ahead to confirm card payment options. The standard fee is approximately $82. With a Twogether in Texas premarital course completion certificate, that drops to about $22. Bring the certificate to the office when you apply.

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

The Burleson County official website provides county clerk contact details and information about services available in Caldwell, including marriage licenses.

Review the county website before your visit to confirm current hours and any updates to the marriage license application process.

How to Get a Marriage License in Burleson County

Both applicants must appear at the Burleson County Clerk's office together. Fill out the state application form, show valid IDs, give Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. The license is typically issued the same day.

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 helps but is 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)

Residency in Burleson County or Texas is not required. The license works anywhere in Texas. No blood test is needed. The standard form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates and places, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. Be ready to state whether either person has been married before and how prior marriages ended.

The 72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas law requires a 72-hour wait after the Burleson County Clerk issues the license before the ceremony can happen. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 sets this rule. If the clerk issues the license on a Tuesday afternoon, the earliest legal ceremony is Friday afternoon.

Active duty military are exempt from the wait. A judge can issue a written waiver for cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course skip the 72-hour hold and pay a lower fee. That course runs 8 hours. The standard fee is about $82. With a Twogether in Texas completion certificate, the fee drops to around $22. Present the certificate at the clerk's office when you apply. Find course providers on the Twogether in Texas program website.

The license is valid for 90 days. If you do not hold the ceremony in that window, the license expires and you must reapply. Apply about one to two weeks before the ceremony for best results. That gives you time after the 72-hour hold while staying inside the 90-day window.

The Burleson County Clerk also handles informal marriage declarations. Both people must appear. The fee is approximately $42. The declaration is filed and becomes a permanent public record.

Burleson County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Burleson County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 requires this step. Once filed, the record is permanent and part of the public record. Certified copies can be requested for name changes, insurance, and legal matters.

Certified copies from Burleson County cost approximately $21 each. Request them in person or by mail at the Caldwell office. For Texas records from 1966 onward, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit has a statewide index. They issue verification letters for $20. These letters confirm a record exists but are not certified copies from the county clerk.

Historical Burleson County marriage records are archived at the courthouse. Genealogists can contact the clerk's office to access older records. Some records may also be available through genealogy databases and regional archives.

Nearby Counties

Burleson County is in east-central Texas. Surrounding counties each have their own clerk offices that issue marriage licenses under the same state rules.