Burnet County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Burnet County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Burnet. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, and no Texas or county residency is required to apply here. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. The 72-hour waiting period begins when the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Texas.

Burnet County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Burnet County Clerk in Burnet handles all official county records including marriage licenses. Burnet County is in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin, and it is a popular area for outdoor weddings and destination ceremonies. The clerk's office issues formal and informal licenses for applicants from any state. Staff can answer questions about what to bring and process applications the same day.

The clerk's office is at the courthouse in the city of Burnet. There are no branch locations for marriage licenses. Office hours are Monday through Friday. The office closes on state holidays. If you are planning a destination wedding in the Hill Country and need to pick up the license in advance of your ceremony, call ahead to plan your visit around the 72-hour waiting period requirement.

The office accepts cash and check. Call to ask about card payment options. The standard fee is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay around $22. Bring the completion certificate when you apply at the clerk's office.

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

The Burnet County official website has information about the county clerk, office hours, and services including marriage license applications in Burnet.

Review the county site or call the clerk's office before your visit to confirm current fees, hours, and any updates to the application process.

How to Get a Marriage License in Burnet County

Both applicants must appear at the Burnet County Clerk's office together. Fill out the application, show IDs, give Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. The clerk issues the license the same day in most cases.

Each applicant needs to 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)
• 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 Burnet County or Texas is required. The license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Texas. No blood test or health documents are needed under Texas law. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and information about prior marriages. Provide complete and accurate answers. Both people sign the form under oath in front of the clerk.

Burnet County sees a good number of destination wedding couples because of the Hill Country setting. Getting the license at least four to five days before the ceremony is a smart move for destination couples traveling to the area. The 72-hour wait means you cannot get the license and marry the same day or even the next day.

The 72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait between when the Burnet County Clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires this. A license issued Thursday afternoon means the earliest ceremony is Sunday afternoon.

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

The license expires after 90 days. If you do not use it in time, you must reapply. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. This gives time after the 72-hour hold while keeping well inside the 90-day window. For destination Hill Country weddings, plan to get the license before traveling to the area if possible, or arrive several days early.

Burnet County also handles informal (common law) marriage declarations through the clerk's office. Both people must appear. The fee is around $42. The declaration is a permanent public record once filed.

Burnet County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Burnet County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 requires this step. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is permanently in the public record. Certified copies can be requested for name changes, insurance, immigration, or other official needs.

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

Historical Burnet County marriage records are archived at the courthouse. Genealogists can contact the clerk's office to request older records. Some records may also appear in digital genealogy platforms or regional archives.

Nearby Counties

Burnet County is in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin. The following nearby counties each have their own clerk offices and follow the same state rules for marriage licenses.