Falls County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Falls County, Texas, both applicants must appear together at the County Clerk's office in Marlin. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under rules set by Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is needed to apply here. Both people must bring valid photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. After the license is issued, a 72-hour waiting period applies before the ceremony can take place. The license stays valid for 90 days.

Falls County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Falls County Clerk in Marlin is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. The office is located at the county courthouse. The clerk's staff handle applications, collect fees, and record the license once the officiant returns the signed document after the ceremony. They can also issue certified copies on request.

The Falls County Courthouse is in Marlin, which is the county seat. The office keeps regular weekday hours and is closed on state and federal holidays. Call ahead to confirm hours and any current requirements before you make the drive to Marlin.

The fee for a standard marriage license in Falls County is approximately $82. Payment is typically accepted in cash, check, or money order. Call ahead if you need to pay by card. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22 and are exempt from the 72-hour waiting period.

Note: Applicants divorced within the last 30 days must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a 30-day wait after a divorce is required before a new marriage license can be issued.

The Falls County official website provides contact information for the County Clerk and other county offices, including information about marriage licenses in Marlin.

Review the county website before your visit to verify hours and what you need to bring for your Falls County marriage license application.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Falls County

Both applicants must go to the Falls County Clerk's office in Marlin together. Bring your documents and the clerk can usually issue the license that same day. The full process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Each person must bring the following:

• Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID
• Social Security number (you must know it; bring your card if available)
• Certified divorce decree if either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order removing disabilities of minority if either applicant is under 18

Residency in Falls County or Texas is not required. The license is valid anywhere in Texas regardless of which county issued it. No blood test is needed. The state application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 collects full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and information about prior marriages. The clerk reviews all documents and guides you through the form.

The 72-Hour Wait, Waivers, and Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period after a license is issued before the ceremony can happen. The rule is found in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The wait starts at the exact time of issuance. If you get the license on a Monday at 10 AM, the earliest you can marry is Thursday at 10 AM.

Active-duty military are exempt from the wait. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. The most common way to skip it is by completing the Twogether in Texas program. This is an 8-hour premarital education course. After finishing, bring your certificate to the Falls County Clerk. The waiting period is waived and the fee drops from about $82 to around $22. Find providers near Marlin at twogetherintexas.com.

The license is good for 90 days from the date of issue. If you do not use it in time, you start over and pay the full fee again. Plan your application date so you allow time for the wait while staying comfortably inside the 90-day window.

An informal marriage declaration can also be filed through the Falls County Clerk. Both parties must appear in person. The fee is typically around $42.

Falls County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Falls County Clerk within 30 days. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded by the clerk, the license is part of the official public record for Falls County. Certified copies can then be ordered for name changes, insurance, or legal filings.

Certified copies from Falls County cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. To verify a marriage in Texas from 1966 forward, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit holds a statewide index. DSHS charges $20 for a verification letter. This confirms the record is on file but is not a certified copy from the county.

Falls County marriage records go back many decades. Genealogists and researchers can contact the clerk's office to ask about older documents. Some historical records may also be available through regional archives covering Central Texas.

Nearby Counties

Falls County sits in Central Texas between Waco and Bryan. Neighboring county clerk offices also issue marriage licenses under the same state requirements.