Howard County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Howard County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Big Spring. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under the rules of the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required. Both people must bring valid photo ID and know their Social Security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued before any ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

Howard County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Howard County Clerk in Big Spring is the only office that issues marriage licenses in Howard County. Both formal and informal marriage license applications are handled here. Staff can answer questions about what to bring and how the process works. Once the signed license is returned after your ceremony, the clerk's office maintains the permanent marriage record.

The office is located at the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring. This West Texas county has one courthouse location for marriage licensing with no satellite offices. Call ahead to confirm hours and any special requirements before making the trip.

The standard fee for a Howard County marriage license is approximately $82. Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education course reduces the fee to around $22. Certified copies of marriage records cost about $21 each. Call to confirm current fees and payment options before visiting.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.009 prevents a new marriage license from being issued within 30 days of a divorce.

The Howard County website provides information about county services and contact details for the County Clerk's marriage license office in Big Spring.

Reviewing the Howard County website before your visit confirms current office hours and any recent changes to requirements or fees for marriage licenses.

Marriage License Requirements in Howard County

Both applicants must come to the clerk's office together. There is no online or mail option to start the process. Bring the right documents and the application can usually be done in one visit, typically in 15 to 30 minutes.

What to bring to the Howard County Clerk:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (memorize it or bring your card)
• Certified divorce decree if either applicant was divorced in the past 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 years of age

No residency in Howard County or Texas is required. The license is valid for any ceremony held anywhere in Texas. No blood test is required. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 collects full legal names, birth dates, birth places, Social Security numbers, and information about prior marriages. All information must be accurate and complete.

Fees and the 72-Hour Waiting Period

Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between when the Howard County Clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can legally happen. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Getting a license on a Tuesday means you cannot hold the ceremony before Friday at the same time of day.

Active duty military members can skip the wait. A judge can issue a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas 8-hour premarital education course can also waive the wait and receive a reduced fee. The Howard County standard fee of about $82 drops to roughly $22 with a valid Twogether completion certificate. That savings makes the course worth considering early in your planning.

The license expires 90 days from the date it is issued. An expired license requires a fresh application and full fee. Plan your application so the 72-hour period clears before the ceremony and you still have several weeks inside the 90-day window. An informal common law marriage declaration is available at the clerk's office for approximately $42 and also requires both applicants to appear in person.

Howard County Marriage Records

After your ceremony, your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Howard County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 requires this. Once recorded, your marriage becomes part of the official public record. You can then request certified copies for name changes, benefits enrollment, and legal matters.

Certified copies of Howard County marriage licenses cost around $21 each and are available in person or by mail from the clerk's office. For a statewide marriage verification from 1966 to the present, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit provides $20 verification letters. Those letters confirm a record is on file but are not certified copies. Always go to the Howard County Clerk directly for certified copies.

Howard County marriage records stretch back many decades and are part of the permanent public record. The clerk's office can assist with research requests. Genealogists may also find older records through digital databases or microfilm archives held at regional repositories.

Nearby Counties

Howard County is in West Texas. All bordering county clerks issue marriage licenses under the same Texas state rules.