Kerr County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Kerr County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Kerrville. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county 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. Kerr County is in the Texas Hill Country and is a popular area for weddings.

Kerr County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Kerr County Clerk in Kerrville handles all marriage license applications. The office is the only place in Kerr County that issues formal and informal marriage licenses. Staff can walk you through the application, explain what documents you need, and answer questions about fees and waiting periods. The clerk also maintains official records after the signed license is returned.

The office is at 700 Main St in Kerrville. That is the address for the Kerr County Courthouse. Business hours are Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state holidays. Kerrville is the main city in the county and parking is available near the courthouse.

The standard license fee is about $82. Payment options typically include cash and check. Check the county website or 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, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day waiting period after a divorce before a new license can be issued.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics website provides statewide marriage record verification and services available for all Texas counties including Kerr County.

The DSHS Vital Statistics site is useful for verifying past marriages from any Texas county or for finding out what statewide records are available since 1966.

How to Get a Marriage License in Kerr County

Both applicants go to the County Clerk's office in Kerrville together. You fill out the state application, present your IDs, and pay the fee. Most couples are done in a single visit if they have all the required documents.

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 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 state 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 takes payment, the license is issued that day.

Kerr County sees a high number of couples planning Hill Country weddings. If your ceremony is in the area, applying locally can be more convenient than applying in another county. Keep in mind the license is valid anywhere in Texas regardless of where you got it.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can happen. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 sets this rule. Get the license on a Saturday and the ceremony cannot happen until Tuesday. For couples planning Hill Country weddings, account for this when deciding when to apply.

The wait can be waived in three situations. Active duty military members can skip it. A judge can issue a waiver for cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas course skip the wait and pay a lower fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. The eight-hour program is available at locations across Texas. It is a practical option for couples who want to save money or avoid the hold.

The license is valid for 90 days. After that it expires. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. For destination weddings in the Hill Country, applying slightly earlier is smart in case plans shift. The license is valid from the day the clerk issues it.

Kerr County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the license to the Kerr County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the permanent public record. Certified copies can then be requested for legal needs like name changes or benefits enrollment.

Certified copies cost about $21 each from the county clerk. You can request them in person or by mail from the Kerrville office. For marriages anywhere in Texas 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 Kerr County marriage records are kept at the clerk's office. Researchers and genealogists can contact the office to ask about what historical records are available and how to request copies by mail. The clerk can explain what is in the archive and the process for remote requests.

Nearby Counties

Kerr County is in the Texas Hill Country near several neighboring counties. Each county clerk issues marriage licenses under the same state rules.