Jones County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Jones County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Anson. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. You do not need to be a Texas resident to apply here. Both people need valid photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period starts when the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days.

Jones County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Jones County Clerk in Anson is the only place in the county where you can get a marriage license. The clerk handles applications, collects fees, and maintains official marriage records. Staff can answer questions about the process and what documents to bring. Jones County is a smaller rural county, so calling ahead is a good idea before you visit.

The office is in the Jones County Courthouse in Anson. There are no branch locations for marriage license services. Regular business hours apply Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays.

The standard marriage license fee is about $82. The office typically accepts cash and check. Call ahead to confirm whether cards are accepted. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay a reduced fee of around $22 and can skip the 72-hour wait. Bring the completion certificate with you.

Note: If either person was divorced within the past 30 days, Texas law requires you to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. See Texas Family Code Section 2.009.

The Jones County official website provides contact details for the County Clerk and information about county services.

Check the county website before your visit to confirm office hours and any updates to fees or procedures at the Anson clerk's office.

How to Get a Marriage License in Jones County

Both applicants must visit the County Clerk's office together. Bring the required documents, fill out the state application form, and pay the fee. The process is typically done in one visit.

Each applicant needs to 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. No Texas residency is needed. The license is valid anywhere in the state. The application under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates and places of birth, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. After the clerk reviews your documents and collects payment, the license is issued that day.

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 Wednesday and you cannot hold the ceremony until Saturday. Factor this into your planning.

The wait can be waived in three ways. Active duty military can skip it. A judge can grant a written waiver. Couples who complete Twogether in Texas skip the wait and pay a lower fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. The eight-hour premarital course is available at locations across Texas. Finishing it before you apply saves time and money.

The license is valid for 90 days. After that it expires. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony, which works well in most cases. If your plans shift, keep in mind the 90-day clock started the day the clerk issued the license.

Jones County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Jones County Clerk within 30 days. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record. Certified copies are available for legal purposes.

Certified copies cost about $21 each from the clerk's office. You can request them in person or by mail. For marriages from any Texas county since 1966, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit has a statewide index. A DSHS verification letter costs $20 and confirms a record is on file, but it is not the same as a certified copy from the county.

Older Jones County marriage records are kept at the clerk's office. Contact the office to ask about what historical records are available and how to request them remotely. The clerk can help with mail requests for older records.

Nearby Counties

Jones County is in West Texas near several neighboring counties. Marriage license rules are the same at each county clerk's office across the state.