Castro County Marriage License

Castro County issues marriage licenses at the County Clerk's office in Dimmitt, Texas. Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the application. You bring photo ID and your Social Security number, pay the fee, and the clerk gives you the license that day. The 72-hour waiting period begins at that point. Your license is valid for 90 days. If you need to look up an existing Castro County marriage record or get a certified copy of a previously filed license, the clerk's office in Dimmitt is where you go.

Castro County Clerk in Dimmitt

The Castro County Clerk's office is located in the county courthouse in Dimmitt. The clerk processes marriage license applications for the whole county. You can apply here even if you do not live in Castro County. Texas law allows couples to apply at any county clerk in the state. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Castro County is a smaller South Plains county. Call ahead before you drive out to make sure someone is available to help you that day and to confirm what to bring.

After your ceremony, the officiant is legally required to complete the marriage license and return it to the Castro County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it and sends it back to you. That recorded copy is your official proof of marriage. Store it somewhere safe. You will need it for name changes and other official purposes later on.

The Castro County official website provides contact details and information on services available through the County Clerk's office in Dimmitt, including marriage license applications.

Check the Castro County site or call the clerk's office directly to confirm hours and current fee amounts before making the trip to Dimmitt.

Castro County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must show up at the Castro County Clerk's office at the same time. There is no online-only application option. Each person must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. A Texas driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID are all acceptable. Originals only. The clerk will not take photocopies.

You must know and provide your Social Security number. If either applicant has recently been divorced, Texas Family Code Chapter 2 requires a 30-day waiting period after the final divorce date before you can remarry. If that period has not passed, you must present a signed court waiver to the clerk. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree to help the clerk confirm the exact date the divorce was finalized.

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Texas Family Code 2.003, effective September 1, 2017, states that a person under 18 may not marry unless they have a court order removing their disabilities of minority. No blood test is required. No residency requirement applies. Couples related by blood within prohibited degrees or who are currently married to someone else are ineligible for a license.

Castro County Marriage License Fee

The marriage license fee in Castro County is approximately $82.00. This is paid at the clerk's office in Dimmitt when you apply. For rural county offices, cash is often the easiest payment method, though many now accept cards as well. Confirm the current payment options when you call ahead.

The Twogether in Texas program can drop the fee to around $21 to $22 if both applicants complete at least 8 hours of an approved premarital education course within 12 months before applying. Bring your completion certificate to the clerk at the time of application. The discount is not retroactive. The Twogether certificate also automatically waives the 72-hour waiting period. Find course providers through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics page.

Active-duty military members who are preparing to deploy may be exempt from the fee. Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost approximately $6.00 each and can be requested at the clerk's office.

Waiting Period and License Validity

Once the Castro County Clerk issues your marriage license, you must wait 72 hours before your ceremony can legally happen. This is set by Texas state law. Plan your application date accordingly. Apply Thursday morning and your earliest legal ceremony is Sunday morning.

This wait is waived if you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program. Military waivers are also available for active-duty members. A judge can issue a written waiver in other qualifying situations. If you have a waiver, bring it along when you apply so the clerk can note it on the license.

Your Castro County marriage license is valid for 90 days. It expires if you do not use it within that time. After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to return the completed license to the clerk. The clerk records it and sends it back. That mailed copy is the one that matters legally. Replacing a certified copy costs a fee, so store it carefully.

Note: Call the Castro County Clerk before your visit to make sure the office will be open and fully staffed on the day you plan to apply.

Castro County Marriage Record Search

Marriage records on file in Castro County are public records kept by the County Clerk. To search for a record, you need the names of both parties and the approximate date or year of the marriage. If the clerk finds the record, a certified copy can be issued for approximately $6.00.

Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature. They are accepted for name changes, insurance applications, passports, and legal proceedings. A plain copy or printout from the clerk's index is not sufficient for these purposes.

For a statewide search covering records from 1966 to the present, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide marriage index and can issue verification letters. For older Castro County records, the clerk's office in Dimmitt is your primary source.

Nearby Counties

Castro County is on the Texas South Plains. Nearby counties where couples can apply for a marriage license include:

• Lamb County - County seat: Littlefield
• Swisher County - County seat: Tulia
• Parmer County - County seat: Farwell
• Deaf Smith County - County seat: Hereford
• Hale County - County seat: Plainview