Kaufman County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Kaufman County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Kaufman. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required to apply. Both people need valid photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period begins when the license is issued, and the license is valid for 90 days. Kaufman County is east of Dallas and the clerk's office handles a growing volume of applications.

Kaufman County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Kaufman County Clerk handles all marriage license applications. The office is located at the county courthouse in the city of Kaufman. Staff can answer questions about the application process, what to bring, and how fees work. The clerk also maintains official marriage records once the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

The office is at 100 W Mulberry St in Kaufman. Regular business hours apply Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays. Kaufman County is one of the faster-growing counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, so arriving early or checking for appointment options is a good idea during busy periods.

The standard license fee in Kaufman County is about $82. Payment options typically include cash, check, and possibly cards. Confirm current payment methods with the office before your visit. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay around $22 and can skip the 72-hour waiting period. Bring the completion certificate when you apply.

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

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics provides statewide marriage record services and verification options for any Texas county.

If you need to verify a prior Texas marriage or find records from another county, the DSHS Vital Statistics site is a useful starting point for statewide searches.

How to Get a Marriage License in Kaufman County

Both people must go to the clerk's office together. You complete the state application form, present your IDs, and pay the fee. If you bring everything needed, the process is 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 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. No residency in Texas or Kaufman County is needed. The license is valid anywhere in Texas. The state form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 collects full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and information about any prior marriages. The clerk reviews the form and issues the license the same day if everything is in order.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas law requires a 72-hour wait between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 establishes this. Get your license on a Monday morning and your earliest legal ceremony is Thursday morning. Factor this into how far in advance you apply.

The wait can be waived. Active duty military can skip it. A judge can grant a written waiver. And 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 course is offered at multiple locations around the state. Completing it before you apply saves both time and money.

The license is valid for 90 days. If you don't use it in that window, it expires and you'll need to apply again. For a growing suburban county like Kaufman, most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. That is usually close enough to be practical while staying well within the 90-day limit.

Kaufman County Marriage License Records

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

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

Older Kaufman County marriage records are kept at the clerk's office. As the county has grown, so has its record archive. Researchers and genealogists can contact the office to ask about what historical records are available and how to request them. Mail requests are an option if you cannot visit Kaufman in person.

Nearby Counties

Kaufman County is east of Dallas and borders several other North Texas counties. Marriage license rules are the same at every county clerk across Texas.