Access Crane County Marriage License Records

Crane County, Texas issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk's office in the city of Crane. Both applicants must appear in person and comply with Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency in Texas is required. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A 72-hour wait follows the issuance of the license before the ceremony, and the license is valid for 90 days.

Crane County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Crane County Clerk's office is the only location in the county where you can get a marriage license. Formal and informal marriage licenses are both available here. Staff can answer questions about requirements, what documents to bring, and the current fee. After the ceremony, the signed and completed license is returned and recorded at this office.

The clerk's office is located at the Crane County Courthouse at 115 W 6th St in Crane. Crane is a small city in West Texas in the Permian Basin region. The office operates standard weekday hours and is closed on state and federal holidays. Call ahead to confirm the office will be open, especially if you are driving in from another county.

Cash and check are typical forms of payment. Confirm whether cards are accepted before your visit. The fee for a marriage license in Crane County is approximately $81. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program pay about $21 to $22 and skip the 72-hour wait. Bring the certificate to the clerk the day you apply.

If either applicant was divorced in the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 bars a new license from being issued within 30 days of a final divorce.

Visit the Crane County Clerk's website for current contact information and office hours in Crane, Texas.

Checking the county site or calling before your trip confirms you have everything in order for a successful visit to the Crane County Courthouse.

How to Get a Marriage License in Crane County

Both applicants go to the clerk's office together. Show your ID and documents, fill out the form, and pay the fee. If everything is ready, you can finish the same day.

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 in the last 30 days
• Court order if under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)

No residency in Crane County or Texas is required. The license is valid for use anywhere in the state. No blood test is needed. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. The clerk will ask about any prior marriages and when they ended. Both applicants sign and the clerk witnesses the signatures.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Under Texas Family Code Section 2.204, Texas requires a 72-hour wait between the time the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. A license issued Wednesday morning can't be used until Saturday morning.

Active duty military skip the wait automatically. A judge can issue a written waiver. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas program also waive the wait and pay a reduced fee of about $21 to $22 instead of the standard $81. The program is eight hours and classes are offered around the state. Sign up at www.twogetherintexas.com. Bring your certificate to the clerk on the day of your application.

The license is valid for 90 days. If no ceremony takes place within that time, you must reapply and pay again. Time your application so the ceremony date falls well within the 90-day window.

Informal marriage declarations are also available through the Crane County Clerk. Both people must appear in person. The fee is typically around $42.

Crane County Marriage License Records

The officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Crane County Clerk within 30 days of the ceremony, as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage is part of the permanent public record. Certified copies are available after that point for name changes and other legal needs.

Certified copies from the Crane County Clerk cost around $21 per copy. Request them in person or by mail. For statewide records going back to 1966, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit provides $20 verification letters. These confirm a record is on file but are not certified county copies.

Crane County is a small West Texas county with marriage records that go back many decades. Genealogists and researchers can request historical records directly from the clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Crane County is in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. These neighboring counties also issue marriage licenses through their County Clerk offices.