Search Johnson County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Johnson County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Cleburne. The clerk issues all marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period begins when the license is issued, and the license is valid for 90 days. Johnson County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and the clerk's office handles a steady volume of applications throughout the year.

Johnson County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Johnson County Clerk in Cleburne handles all marriage license applications for the county. The office is the only place in Johnson County where you can get a formal or informal marriage license. Staff can answer questions about the application, required documents, and fees. They also maintain the official marriage record after the signed license is returned.

The office is at 2 N Mill St in Cleburne, which is the county courthouse address. Business hours are Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays. For a suburban county south of Fort Worth, parking is typically available near the courthouse. Arriving early on a weekday usually means shorter wait times.

The standard fee is about $82. The county typically accepts cash, check, and may accept cards. Check the county website or call ahead to confirm current payment options. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay a reduced fee of around $22 and can waive the 72-hour wait. Bring the completion certificate when you apply.

Note: Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, if either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree before a new license can be issued.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics provides statewide marriage record services and information on verifying Texas marriage records from any county.

For verifying a marriage anywhere in Texas since 1966, the DSHS Vital Statistics unit offers verification letters and can direct you to the appropriate county for certified copies.

How to Get a Marriage License in Johnson County

Both applicants go to the County Clerk's office at the same time. You fill out the state application, show your IDs, and pay the fee. The process is straightforward and usually done in one visit.

What 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 helps)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)

No blood test is needed. No Texas residency is required. The license works anywhere in the state. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. Once the clerk reviews your documents and accepts payment, the license is issued the same day.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait between when the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. This rule is in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Get your license on a Saturday and you cannot hold the ceremony until Tuesday. Plan your application with your wedding date in mind.

Three situations allow the wait to be waived. Active duty military can skip it. A judge can issue a waiver for cause. Couples who complete Twogether in Texas skip the wait and pay a lower fee of about $22. The standard fee is around $82. The eight-hour Twogether course is available at locations around the state. It is worth considering if you want to save money or skip the waiting period.

The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. After that, it's expired. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. That timing works for most situations and keeps the license well within its validity window.

Johnson County also processes informal marriage declarations. Both people must appear in person for that process as well. The fee for an informal marriage declaration is typically around $42, separate from the standard license process.

Johnson County Marriage License Records

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

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

Older Johnson County marriage records are held at the clerk's office. The county's growth over the decades means there is a substantial archive. Researchers and genealogists can contact the office to find out what is available and how to request records by mail if they cannot visit Cleburne in person.

Nearby Counties

Johnson County is in North Texas south of Fort Worth and borders several other counties. Each county clerk follows the same state rules for marriage licenses.