Collin County Marriage License

Collin County, Texas issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk's office, with locations in McKinney and Plano. Both applicants must appear in person following the rules of Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required. You can start your application online but must complete it in person at a clerk's office. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A 72-hour waiting period applies before the ceremony, and the license is valid for 90 days.

Collin County Clerk - Marriage License Offices

Collin County has two clerk locations that handle marriage license applications. The main office is in McKinney at the Collin County Administration Building. A satellite office is in Plano for residents in the south part of the county. Both locations accept applications, process payments, and can start or complete your application. You can also begin the process online at the Collin County website before visiting in person.

Both offices handle all marriage license services. The Plano location can be more convenient for residents of Plano, Allen, Frisco, and nearby cities. For either office, plan to show up before 4:00 PM to make sure your application is processed that day.

The fee for a marriage license in Collin County is approximately $81. Collin County also offers an online application option where you can start the form before arriving. Both people still must appear in person within 10 days of starting the online application to complete and finalize it. If you bring a valid Twogether in Texas completion certificate when you apply, the fee drops to around $21 and the 72-hour wait is waived. Note that no refund is given if you bring the certificate after the application is completed.

If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a new license cannot be issued within 30 days of a final divorce.

The Collin County Clerk's website provides information about marriage license applications, locations, fees, and online pre-application options.

The county's online tools let you start the application before your visit, which can speed up the in-person process.

How to Get a Marriage License in Collin County

Both applicants appear together in person at either the McKinney or Plano clerk's office. You can pre-fill the application online, but both people must still show up to complete the process. Bring all required documents and the fee. Most applications are done the same day.

Required documents for each applicant:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (know it or bring your card)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order removing disabilities of minority if under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)
• Twogether in Texas completion certificate if seeking reduced fee and no wait

You do not need to live in Collin County or Texas to apply. The license is valid anywhere in the state. No blood test is required. The application form, set out in Texas Family Code Section 2.004, asks for full legal names including maiden names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. Prior marriage history is also collected.

Collin County's online application system lets you fill in basic information ahead of time. You then go to the clerk's office to confirm details, sign, and pay. This can save time compared to filling out the form from scratch at the counter. You must arrive at the clerk's office within 10 days of starting an online application.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Under Texas Family Code Section 2.204, Texas requires a 72-hour wait between when the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. If you get your license Monday morning, the ceremony cannot happen before Thursday morning.

Active duty military are exempt from the waiting period. A judge can issue a written waiver. And couples with a Twogether in Texas certificate skip the wait entirely. That program also cuts the fee from about $81 to around $21. The program is eight hours and is available at locations across the state. Visit www.twogetherintexas.com to find a class. Bring the certificate to the clerk when you apply. You will not get a refund if you bring it after the application is complete.

The license is valid for 90 days. Plan ahead so your ceremony date falls within the window. Most couples in Collin County apply one to two weeks before the wedding date. Collin County is a busy county with a large population, so expect some wait time at the clerk's offices during peak hours.

Informal marriage declarations are also available at the Collin County Clerk's offices. Both people must appear in person. The fee for an informal marriage record is typically around $42.

Collin County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Collin County Clerk within 30 days, per Texas Family Code Section 2.206. The clerk records it and the marriage enters the permanent public record. Certified copies are available after that for name changes, benefits, immigration, or other legal purposes.

Certified copies from the Collin County Clerk cost around $21 each. They can be requested at either clerk location or by mail. Collin County also has a records search portal on its website where you can search property records, marriage licenses, and other clerk records by name or date range. For older records, Collin County maintains a Genealogy Corner with marriage records going back to 1884. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit provides $20 verification letters for statewide records since 1966. These confirm that a record is on file but are not certified copies.

Collin County marriage records are part of the permanent public archive. Genealogists can search both the county's online records system and broader Texas genealogy databases for historical marriage data.

Cities in Collin County

Several large cities in Collin County have their own dedicated pages with more details about where and how to apply for a marriage license.

Nearby Counties

Collin County is in North Texas. These neighboring counties also issue marriage licenses through their County Clerk offices.