Dallam County Marriage License

Couples in Dallam County get their marriage license from the County Clerk in Dalhart. You and your partner both need to show up in person and bring valid photo ID. The clerk issues the license, and you have 90 days to use it. Dallam County sits in the far northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle, and the process here follows the same rules that apply across the state. If you want to search existing marriage records or get a certified copy, the County Clerk handles those requests too.

Dallam County Clerk Office

The Dallam County Clerk's office in Dalhart is where you apply for a marriage license. Both applicants must come in together. You can't send someone else in your place, with a few narrow exceptions for active military. Bring your government-issued photo ID and know your Social Security number. The clerk will have you fill out an application and collect the fee.

The county clerk also keeps official records of all marriages issued in Dallam County. If you need a certified copy of a license issued here, call ahead to find out what documentation you need to provide. Requests can usually be handled in person. Processing takes only a short time if you visit the office directly.

What You Need to Apply

Texas law requires both people applying for a marriage license to appear in person at the county clerk's office. This rule comes from Texas Family Code Chapter 2. You'll need a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. You also need your Social Security number. The clerk does not need your card, just the number.

If either of you has been divorced, Texas has a 30-day remarriage waiting period. That means the divorce must have been final for at least 30 days before you can get a new license. You may be able to get a waiver in some situations, but the clerk can explain what applies to your case. If either person has been widowed, a death certificate may be needed depending on how recently the prior spouse died.

There is no blood test in Texas. No residency requirement either. You can get a license in Dallam County even if you live somewhere else in the state. The license is valid in any Texas county once issued.

Note: If one applicant is on active military duty and cannot attend, there is a limited absent applicant provision under Texas Family Code. Contact the clerk's office to find out if this applies to your situation.

The official Dallam County website at co.dallam.tx.us has county department contact information including the County Clerk. Use it to confirm hours and any updated fee information before you visit.

The County Clerk office is the single point of contact for marriage licenses in Dallam County. Staff there can answer questions about requirements and help you complete the application.

Fees and the Waiting Period

The standard marriage license fee in Dallam County is around $82. That is the typical Panhandle-area rate. If you complete a state-approved premarital education course through the Twogether in Texas program, the fee drops significantly to about $22. The course takes eight hours and must be completed within the year before you apply. You bring your certificate of completion to the clerk's office.

Once you pay and the clerk issues your license, a 72-hour waiting period starts. You cannot legally marry during that window. The clock starts at the moment the license is issued. After 72 hours, you can hold your ceremony any time during the next 90 days. The license expires after 90 days and cannot be renewed. If your wedding does not happen in time, you have to apply and pay again.

The 72-hour wait can be waived for active duty military or if you have a signed waiver from a district judge. The Twogether in Texas certificate also waives the waiting period. That makes the program a good deal if you want to marry quickly and save on the fee at the same time.

After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and must return it to the Dallam County Clerk within 30 days. Don't forget that step. If it isn't returned, the marriage may not be officially recorded.

Dallam County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Dallam County are maintained by the County Clerk. The clerk keeps all issued licenses on file and can provide certified copies. These official copies are what you need for legal name changes, insurance updates, immigration paperwork, and similar purposes. Uncertified copies may be available but are not valid for official use.

The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide marriage index going back to 1966. If you know someone was married in Texas but aren't sure which county issued the license, DSHS can search the index and issue a verification letter for $20. That's not a certified copy of the license itself, but it does confirm the record exists.

For marriages before 1966, historical records may be on file at the County Clerk's office in paper or microfilm format. FamilySearch has some older Texas county marriage records available to browse for free online. The coverage varies by county and year.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony

Texas law sets out who is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony. Judges at various levels are authorized, including justices of the peace, which makes it easy to find an officiant even in a small county like Dallam. Licensed or ordained ministers, rabbis, and priests are also authorized under state law.

Your officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the county clerk within 30 days after the ceremony. You do not need a witness to attend the ceremony under Texas law, though many couples have one anyway. The signed license is the official record. Once the clerk receives it and records it, the marriage is on file.

Common law marriage, also called informal marriage, is another option in Texas. Both of you must agree to be married, live together in Texas as a married couple, and represent to others that you are married. You can register an informal marriage with the county clerk by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage. The fee for that is lower than a formal license.

Nearby Counties

Dallam County is in the northwestern tip of the Texas Panhandle. Neighboring counties include: