Coke County Marriage License Search

Coke County, Texas issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk's office in Robert Lee. Both applicants must appear in person under the rules of Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency in Texas is required. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A 72-hour wait is required after the license is issued before the ceremony, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

Coke County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Coke County Clerk in Robert Lee is the only place to get a marriage license in the county. The office handles formal and informal marriage applications. Staff can answer basic questions about the process and what to bring. They also keep records once your signed license is returned after the ceremony.

The clerk's office is located at the Coke County Courthouse in Robert Lee. There are no branch offices. Coke County is a rural county in West Texas, so it's best to call ahead and confirm hours before making the trip. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

Cash and check are the most reliable payment methods. Call to ask about card acceptance before your visit. The fee is around $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program pay about $22 and skip the 72-hour wait. Bring the course certificate to the clerk on the day you apply.

If either applicant was divorced within 30 days, bring a certified divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 bars a new license within that window.

Visit the Coke County Clerk's website for current contact details and information about marriage license services in Robert Lee.

Confirming hours and requirements online or by phone before the trip saves time, especially for applicants traveling from outside the county.

How to Get a Marriage License in Coke County

Both applicants must go in person to the Coke County Clerk's office. Bring your documents, complete the form, and pay the fee. Most people finish in one visit.

Required from each applicant:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (card or known by memory)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order removing disabilities of minority if either applicant is under 18

No Texas residency is needed. The license can be used anywhere in Texas regardless of where it was issued. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 collects full names including maiden names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. The clerk will ask about prior marriages and their end dates. No blood test is required.

Both people sign the form. The clerk witnesses the signatures. With documents in hand, most applicants wrap up in about 20 minutes.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas law imposes a 72-hour wait between the time a license is issued and when the ceremony can be performed, per Texas Family Code Section 2.204. A license issued on a Monday can't be used until Thursday.

The wait is waived for active duty military. A judge can grant a written waiver. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas program avoid the wait and pay about $22 instead of $82. The eight-hour course is available at sites across the state. Sign up at www.twogetherintexas.com. Bring the certificate when you apply, not after.

The license is good for 90 days. If the ceremony doesn't happen within that period, you must apply again and pay a new fee. Time your application so the ceremony date is well within the 90-day window.

An informal marriage declaration is also available at the Coke County Clerk's office. Both people must appear in person. The fee is around $42.

Coke County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the Coke County Clerk within 30 days, as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. The clerk records it and the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record. Certified copies are available for legal needs.

Certified copies from the Coke County Clerk cost around $21 per copy and can be obtained in person or by mail. For statewide records since 1966, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit provides $20 verification letters. These letters confirm a record exists but are not certified county copies.

Coke County marriage records go back many years. Genealogists and researchers can contact the clerk's office to request older records or check Texas genealogy databases for indexed records.

Nearby Counties

Coke County is in West Texas. These neighboring counties issue marriage licenses under the same Texas state rules.