Kent County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Kent County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Jayton. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Kent County is a small, rural county in West Texas. Call ahead before you visit since staff availability may vary. No Texas residency is required. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days.

Kent County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Kent County Clerk in Jayton handles all marriage license applications for the county. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. Given the small population, calling ahead before your visit is strongly recommended. Staff can confirm availability and walk you through what documents to bring.

The office is in the Kent County Courthouse in Jayton. There are no other locations in the county for marriage license services. Business hours are Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays.

The standard fee is about $82. Cash and check are typical payment methods at a small county office. Confirm payment options when you call. 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. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires this before the clerk can issue a new license.

The Kent County official website has contact information for the County Clerk and general information about county offices in Jayton.

Review the county website before your visit to Jayton to confirm hours and procedures. For a small county like Kent, calling ahead is especially important.

How to Get a Marriage License in Kent County

Both people must go to the County Clerk's office in Jayton together. Bring your documents, complete the state form, and pay the fee. Call before you come to confirm the office will be open.

Each applicant must bring:

• 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 needed. No residency in Texas is required. The license works anywhere in the state. The state application under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. The clerk reviews the form and issues the license the same day if your documents are in order.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

A 72-hour waiting period is required 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. Plan your trip to Jayton accordingly.

The wait can be skipped. Active duty military can waive it. A judge can grant a waiver for cause. Couples who complete Twogether in Texas skip the wait and pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. Given the remote location of Kent County, completing the course before you apply can save you from making multiple trips.

The license expires 90 days after it is issued. If you don't use it in time, you have to apply again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. For a small, rural county, give yourself extra time in case of any unexpected issues.

Kent County Marriage Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Kent County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 requires this. 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 from the county clerk. 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 DSHS verification letter costs $20 and confirms a record exists, but it is not a certified copy from the county.

Older Kent County marriage records are kept at the clerk's office. Contact the office to ask about historical records and the mail request process if you cannot visit Jayton in person. The clerk can explain what is available and how to get copies remotely.

Nearby Counties

Kent County is in West Texas and borders several neighboring counties. Marriage license rules are the same at each county clerk across the state.