Cameron County Marriage License

Cameron County processes marriage license applications at two locations, one in Brownsville and one in San Benito. Both applicants must appear in person at either office. The County Clerk accepts applications from any couple, regardless of where they live. You bring valid photo ID, provide your Social Security numbers, and pay the $81 fee. Bilingual services in English and Spanish are available. The 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued, and the license stays valid for 90 days. Residents of Brownsville will find the main office conveniently located at 964 E Harrison St.

Cameron County Clerk Marriage License Division

The Cameron County Clerk's Office has two convenient locations to serve residents throughout the county. The main office is in Brownsville, the county seat. A second location is in San Benito to serve residents in the northern part of the county. Both offices accept marriage license applications. Bilingual staff are available at both locations to assist English and Spanish-speaking applicants. Hours at both offices are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Cameron County sits on the US-Mexico border. Some applicants may have questions about international documentation. If you have foreign identification documents or your divorce was finalized in another country, contact the clerk's office in advance to ask what additional documents you need to bring. Staff can help clarify requirements for international applicants. The county has experience serving a binational population and can guide you through the process.

The Cameron County Clerk's official website has current forms, fee schedules, and contact information for the marriage license division at both the Brownsville and San Benito offices.

Check the Cameron County site before your visit to confirm any updates to procedures or hours at either location.

What You Need for a Cameron County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear together at one of the Cameron County Clerk offices. You cannot apply alone or send someone else. Each person must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. Texas driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, and military IDs are all accepted. Bring the original document. The clerk needs to see it and cannot accept copies.

You must each provide your Social Security number when you apply. You do not need to bring your card, just know your number. If you have been divorced, Texas law under Texas Family Code Chapter 2 requires a 30-day wait after the final divorce date before you can remarry. If that period has not ended, you need a court waiver. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree so the clerk can verify the exact date your divorce was final.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is required in Texas. Cameron County has no residency requirement. The county routinely serves applicants from across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

Note: For international documents such as foreign passports or birth certificates, call the clerk in advance to confirm what is acceptable and whether any translations or apostilles are required.

Cameron County Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee in Cameron County is $81.00. This is paid at the time of application at the clerk's office. The office accepts various payment methods. Contact the office to confirm current options, as policies can change.

Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program have the fee reduced to $21.00. This is one of the most significant discounts available. Both applicants must finish at least 8 hours of a state-approved course within 12 months before applying. Bring the course completion certificate to the clerk when you apply. The discount is applied only at the time of application. If you bring the certificate after you have already paid, no refund is issued.

The Twogether in Texas certificate also waives the 72-hour waiting period. That means you could potentially apply in the morning and hold your ceremony that afternoon if the judge or officiant is available. Military members preparing to deploy to a hostile fire zone may qualify for a full fee exemption. Ask the clerk about documentation requirements for this exemption.

Informal marriage declarations, which establish common-law marriages, carry a separate fee of $41.00 in Cameron County. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost $21.00 each.

Waiting Period and License Details

Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period after the Cameron County Clerk issues your license. Your ceremony cannot happen before that time is up. If you apply on a Tuesday morning, your earliest legal ceremony date is Friday morning.

The waiting period is waived automatically when you present a Twogether in Texas completion certificate. Active-duty military members and their partners may also qualify for a waiver. A county or district judge can issue a written waiver in other circumstances. Bring any waiver documentation to the clerk at the time of application.

Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days. If you do not use it within that time, it expires. You would then need to apply for a new one and pay the fee again. After the ceremony, the officiant must complete their section of the license and return it to the Cameron County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the license and mails it back to the couple. That recorded copy is your legal marriage record and is needed for name changes, insurance enrollment, and other official purposes.

Marriage Records in Cameron County

Cameron County marriage records are public records on file at the County Clerk's office. You can request a search at either the Brownsville or San Benito office. Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. If the record is found, you can get a certified copy for $21.00.

Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature. They are accepted for name changes, passport applications, and legal proceedings. A photocopy or printout does not meet these requirements.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section keeps a statewide marriage index for records from 1966 onward. For a verification letter about a marriage in the state system, DSHS can provide that service. For older Cameron County records or certified copies, contact the County Clerk directly.

Cities in Cameron County

Cameron County includes several major cities in the Rio Grande Valley. Residents of these cities apply for marriage licenses at the County Clerk offices in Brownsville or San Benito.

• Brownsville - County seat, main clerk office location

Nearby Counties

Cameron County is at the southern tip of Texas. Nearby counties include:

• Hidalgo County - County seat: Edinburg
• Willacy County - County seat: Raymondville
• Starr County - County seat: Rio Grande City