Karnes County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Karnes County, both applicants must go in person to the County Clerk's office in Karnes City. 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.

Karnes County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Karnes County Clerk handles all marriage license applications in Karnes City. This is the only office in the county that issues formal and informal marriage licenses. Staff can help you fill out the application, explain what documents are required, and answer questions about fees. The clerk also keeps official records after the ceremony and the signed license is returned.

The office is at the Karnes County Courthouse in Karnes City. There are no satellite locations. Regular weekday hours apply. The office is closed on state holidays.

The standard fee is about $82. Cash and check are the typical payment methods. Call to confirm if cards are accepted. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay around $22 and can skip the 72-hour wait. Bring the completion certificate when you apply.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.009.

The Karnes County official website has contact information for the County Clerk and general information about county services.

Check the Karnes County website before visiting to confirm current hours and any changes to procedures or payment options at the County Clerk's office.

How to Get a Marriage License in Karnes County

Both applicants must appear at the County Clerk's office at the same time. You fill out the state application, present your IDs, and pay the fee. Most couples complete the process in a single visit.

Documents required from each applicant:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (know it; a physical card helps)
• 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. You do not need to live in Texas. The license is valid anywhere in the state. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 collects full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. The clerk reviews everything and issues the license once all the paperwork and payment are in order.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

After the license is issued, you must wait 72 hours before holding the ceremony. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Get the license on a Tuesday and your earliest legal ceremony is Friday. Plan your application date accordingly.

The wait can be waived. Active duty military members can skip it. A judge can grant a waiver for cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas course skip the wait and pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. The eight-hour Twogether program is offered at locations across Texas.

The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. If it expires before you use it, you need to apply again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony, which works well for most situations.

Karnes County Marriage Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Karnes County Clerk within 30 days, as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record. Certified copies are available for legal use.

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

Older Karnes County marriage records are kept at the clerk's office. If you are doing genealogical research or need historical records, contact the office to ask about what is available and how to request records by mail.

Nearby Counties

Karnes County is in South Texas between San Antonio and the Coastal Bend. Neighboring county clerks issue marriage licenses under the same state rules.