Jim Wells County Marriage License

Couples who want a marriage license in Jim Wells County need to go to the County Clerk's office in Alice. Both applicants must appear together in person. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Texas residency is not required. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. After the license is issued, a 72-hour waiting period applies. The license is valid for 90 days.

Jim Wells County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Jim Wells County Clerk in Alice is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. The clerk processes applications, collects fees, and keeps all official marriage records. Staff at this office can walk you through the application and answer questions about requirements. If you are unsure what to bring, call ahead before your visit.

The office is located at the Jim Wells County Courthouse in Alice. There are no satellite locations in Jim Wells County for marriage license services. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Plan around state holidays, when the office is closed.

The standard license fee is about $82. Typical payment options include cash and check. Confirm card payment availability when you call. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of around $22 and can waive the 72-hour waiting period. Bring the completion certificate when you apply.

Note: Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day wait after a divorce before a new marriage license can be issued. If either applicant was recently divorced, bring a certified copy of the decree.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics website covers statewide marriage record verification and services available for any Texas county.

The DSHS Vital Statistics site is useful if you need to verify a prior Texas marriage or look up information about state-level marriage records going back to 1966.

How to Get a Marriage License in Jim Wells County

Both applicants must visit the County Clerk's office together. The process involves filling out the state application form, presenting your IDs, and paying the fee. If your documents are ready, it is usually done in one visit.

Each applicant must bring:

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

No blood test is required. Residency in Texas or Jim Wells County is not needed. The license is valid anywhere in Texas. The state form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. The clerk reviews the form and issues the license that day if everything is in order.

72-Hour Waiting Period and License Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait between the time the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 sets this rule. Get your license on a Thursday and you cannot marry before Sunday. Plan your application date with your wedding date in mind.

The wait can be waived in three ways. Active duty military can skip it. A judge can grant a waiver for cause. Couples who complete Twogether in Texas skip the wait and pay a lower fee. The standard fee is about $82. With the Twogether certificate, it drops to around $22. The eight-hour course is offered at sites across the state.

The license expires after 90 days. If you don't use it in that window, you have to start over. Most couples apply a week or two before the ceremony. That leaves enough time to work through any issues without letting the license expire.

Jim Wells County Marriage Records

Once your ceremony is done, the officiant must sign and return the marriage license to the Jim Wells County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. After the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the permanent public record. Certified copies are available for legal needs like name changes or benefits enrollment.

Certified copies cost about $21 each from the county clerk. You can request them in person or by mail. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide index of Texas marriages since 1966. A DSHS verification letter costs $20 and confirms a record exists but is not a certified copy from the county.

Older Jim Wells County marriage records are preserved at the clerk's office. Genealogists and researchers can ask about historical records and how to request them remotely. The clerk's staff can explain what records are on file and what the mail request process involves.

Nearby Counties

Jim Wells County is in South Texas and borders several neighboring counties. Each county clerk issues marriage licenses under the same Texas state rules.