Find Coleman County Marriage License Info
Coleman County, Texas issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk in the city of Coleman. Both applicants must appear in person and meet the requirements of Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Texas residency is not required to apply here. You'll need valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The state requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued, and the license is valid for 90 days.
Coleman County Overview
Coleman County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The Coleman County Clerk's office is the only place in the county to get a marriage license. Both formal and informal licenses are handled here. The office staff can walk you through the process, confirm the current fee, and let you know what to bring. Records from returned licenses are maintained here after the ceremony.
The office is located at the Coleman County Courthouse. There are no satellite locations in this rural West Texas county. The office is open weekdays during normal business hours and closes on state holidays. Call ahead if you are traveling from outside the county to make sure the office will be open.
| Office | Coleman County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Coleman County Courthouse 100 W Liveoak St Coleman, TX 76834 |
| Phone | (325) 625-2270 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.coleman.tx.us |
The office accepts cash and check. Call to ask about card payment before your trip. The standard fee for a marriage license is about $82. If you and your partner complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program, the fee drops to around $22 and the 72-hour wait is waived. Bring the completion certificate when you apply.
Anyone divorced in the last 30 days must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, no new license can be issued within 30 days of a final divorce.
The Coleman County official website lists contact information and county services including the Clerk's office.
Checking the county website before your visit helps confirm office hours and any updates to fees or requirements.
How to Get a Marriage License in Coleman County
Both applicants go to the clerk's office together. Bring your documents, fill out the application, and pay the fee. Everything is usually done in one trip if you come prepared.
What each applicant must bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- Social Security number (bring the card or know it from memory)
- Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
- Court order removing disabilities of minority if under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)
No residency in Coleman County or Texas is required. The license is valid for use anywhere in Texas. No blood test is needed. The state application form, as described in Texas Family Code Section 2.004, asks for full legal names including maiden names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. The clerk will ask about prior marriages. Be ready to provide dates and how any prior marriages ended.
Both applicants sign the form. The clerk witnesses the signatures. With all documents ready, the process usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees
Texas requires a 72-hour wait after a license is issued before any ceremony can take place. This rule is in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. A license issued Thursday morning means the ceremony can't happen until Sunday morning.
The wait can be skipped for active duty military, by judicial waiver for good cause, or for couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program. That program also drops the fee to about $22 from the standard $82. It runs eight hours and is offered at multiple locations around the state. Go to www.twogetherintexas.com to find a class. Bring your certificate on the day you apply.
The license is valid for 90 days. Plan your application date with the ceremony date in mind. Apply too early and the license may expire before the wedding. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the date to be safe.
An informal marriage declaration is also available through the Coleman County Clerk. Both people must appear in person. The fee is typically around $42.
Coleman County Marriage License Records
The officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Coleman County Clerk within 30 days of the ceremony, per Texas Family Code Section 2.206. After it is recorded, the marriage is part of the permanent public record. Certified copies can then be obtained for name changes, insurance, immigration, or other legal needs.
Certified copies from the Coleman County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For statewide records dating back to 1966, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit provides $20 verification letters. Those letters confirm a record is on file but differ from certified county copies.
Older Coleman County marriage records are part of the permanent county archive. Researchers and genealogists can request historical records through the clerk's office or find indexed records in Texas genealogy databases.
Nearby Counties
Coleman County is in central West Texas. These counties nearby each issue marriage licenses through their County Clerk offices.