Harrison County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Harrison County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Marshall. The clerk issues all marriage licenses and maintains the official records for the county under the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency in Harrison County or Texas is required to apply here. Both people must bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and plan for the 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date.

Harrison County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Harrison County Clerk's office in Marshall is the sole location in the county for marriage license applications. Staff handles both formal ceremony licenses and informal (common law) marriage declarations. They also maintain the official record file for all marriages in the county. If you have questions about the process, fees, or required documents, the clerk's office is the right place to start.

Marshall is the county seat of Harrison County in East Texas. The county courthouse on West Houston Street is where the clerk's office is located. The office operates weekdays during standard business hours and closes on state and county holidays.

The standard fee for a marriage license in Harrison County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22. The informal marriage declaration fee is approximately $42. The office accepts standard payment types. Call ahead to confirm whether cards are accepted.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 bars issuing a new license within 30 days of a prior divorce without a waiver.

The Harrison County Clerk's website provides information about marriage license services, office hours, and contact information in Marshall.

Check the Harrison County Clerk's website for the most current fee schedule and office hours before your visit to Marshall.

How to Get a Marriage License in Harrison County

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office in Marshall. The process follows the same rules as every other Texas county. Bring the right documents and you should be able to complete the application in a single visit.

Each applicant must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (you must know it; a card is helpful)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017 under Texas law)

No blood test is needed. No residency requirement applies. A Harrison County marriage license is valid anywhere in Texas. The application form asks for full legal names including maiden surnames, dates and places of birth, Social Security numbers, and any prior marriage history. The form is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.004. If a prior marriage ended in divorce or death, you will need to say when and how.

Harrison County has a long history of maintaining marriage records going back to the 1840s. Staff at the clerk's office can help with both current applications and questions about older records.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait from the time the license is issued until the ceremony can take place. This rule comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. If the license is issued on Monday at noon, the ceremony cannot happen until Thursday at noon at the earliest.

The waiting period can be skipped for active duty military members. A family law judge can issue a written waiver for good cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course can skip the wait and pay a lower fee. Without the course, the fee is around $82. With a valid completion certificate, it drops to about $22. The 8-hour course is available at locations across Texas.

The license is valid for 90 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the couple must reapply. Plan the application date with the ceremony in mind. An informal marriage declaration is also available through the Harrison County Clerk for approximately $42.

Harrison County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Harrison County Clerk within 30 days. This requirement is in Texas Family Code Section 2.206. The clerk then records the license as part of the official public file. After that, certified copies can be ordered for name changes, benefits, or other legal matters.

Certified copies of Harrison County marriage licenses cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For statewide records, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a marriage index from 1966 to the present. They provide $20 verification letters confirming a record is on file. Those letters do not replace certified copies from the county clerk.

Harrison County marriage records date back to the 1840s. The county clerk holds the official permanent record file. Historical records may also be accessible through FamilySearch and other genealogy databases. Delayed birth records from Harrison County spanning 1860 to 1933 are available at FamilySearch, showing the depth of the county's archive holdings.

Nearby Counties

Harrison County is in East Texas near the Louisiana border. These nearby county clerks also issue marriage licenses under the same state rules.