El Paso County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in El Paso County are issued by the County Clerk's office at the courthouse in downtown El Paso. Both applicants must appear in person to apply, following the requirements set by Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required. You must bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number. After the license is issued, a 72-hour waiting period applies before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.
El Paso County Overview
El Paso County Clerk - Marriage License Office
The El Paso County Clerk's office processes all marriage license applications for the county. The office is located at the El Paso County Courthouse in downtown El Paso. Staff there help applicants complete the forms, collect the fee, and issue the license. They also maintain the official marriage records once a signed license is returned by the officiant after the ceremony. El Paso is one of the larger counties in Texas by population, so this office sees a significant volume of applications.
The office is open weekdays during regular business hours and is closed on state holidays. There is no appointment system required for marriage licenses in most cases, but calling ahead to confirm procedures is always a good idea. El Paso County has been noted as one of the counties that may offer some remote or online options for certain records services. Check the county website for current procedures before your visit.
| Office | El Paso County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 E San Antonio Ave, Rm 105 El Paso, TX 79901 |
| Phone | (915) 546-2071 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | epcounty.com |
The standard marriage license fee in El Paso County is approximately $82. The office accepts common payment methods. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can reduce their fee to approximately $22 and skip the 72-hour waiting period. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current payment options and any updated procedures.
Note: If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree is required. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a new marriage license cannot be issued until 30 days after a divorce is finalized.
The El Paso County official website includes details on the County Clerk's office, marriage license procedures, and other vital records services available to El Paso residents.
Reviewing the El Paso County website before your visit will help you confirm current hours, any online application options, and what to bring to the clerk's office.
How to Get a Marriage License in El Paso County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office in person. El Paso County follows the same Texas state process. Bring all required documents and you can usually complete the application in a single visit.
Each applicant must bring the following to the El Paso County Clerk:
- Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID
- Social Security number (you must know it; a card helps but may not be required)
- Certified divorce decree if either applicant was divorced in the last 30 days
- Court order removing disabilities of minority if either applicant is under 18
You do not need to be a resident of El Paso County or Texas to get a marriage license here. The license works statewide. No blood test is needed. The application form required by Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. You will also answer questions about prior marriages. All information is verified by the clerk at the time of application.
El Paso County is one of the largest counties in Texas. The downtown courthouse can be busy. Allow extra time for parking and getting through the building to the clerk's office. The clerk's staff is experienced with high volumes of applicants. Prepare your documents ahead of time to keep your visit as quick as possible.
TexasFile also provides access to El Paso County official public records, including copies of documents from 1963 to the present for research and legal purposes.
The 72-Hour Waiting Period and Fee Details
Texas requires couples to wait 72 hours after a license is issued before the ceremony can take place. This is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The 72 hours run from the exact time the license is issued, not just the date. Plan your application date with that in mind.
The wait can be waived in certain situations. Active-duty military members are exempt from the waiting period. A judge can issue a written waiver for documented good cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program can skip the wait entirely while also paying a lower fee. The standard fee in El Paso County is around $82. With the Twogether in Texas certificate, it drops to about $22. The program is an 8-hour premarital education course. Find providers near El Paso at twogetherintexas.com.
The license is valid for 90 days. Most couples apply one to two weeks before their wedding date. That allows the 72-hour period to pass while keeping the license inside its window. If the license expires, you must apply and pay again. There is no extension or grace period.
El Paso County Marriage Records
The officiant who performs the ceremony must sign and return the license to the El Paso County Clerk within 30 days, as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage enters the permanent public record. Certified copies can then be requested for name changes, insurance updates, or other legal needs.
Certified copies of marriage licenses from El Paso County cost approximately $21 each. Requests can be made in person or by mail. For statewide verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 to the present. DSHS verification letters cost $20 and confirm that a record is on file without replacing a certified county copy.
El Paso County marriage records go back many decades. The county clerk's office holds these as part of the permanent public record. Researchers and genealogists can contact the office to ask about older records or explore third-party archives that cover the El Paso region.
Cities in El Paso County
El Paso is the main city in El Paso County. It has its own dedicated page with more information about getting a marriage license in the city.
Nearby Counties
El Paso County sits at the far western tip of Texas. Neighboring counties also have clerk offices where marriage licenses are issued under the same state rules.