King County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in King County, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Guthrie. The clerk issues all marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. King County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, so calling ahead before your visit is essential. 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.

King County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The King County Clerk in Guthrie is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. King County has one of the smallest populations of any county in Texas. Because of this, you must call ahead before making the trip to Guthrie. The clerk handles all applications, collects fees, and maintains official records. Staff availability can vary in a county this small.

The office is at the King County Courthouse in Guthrie. There are no satellite locations. The office is open on regular weekdays but calling first to verify availability is strongly advised. State holidays mean the office is closed.

The standard fee is about $82. Cash and check are the expected payment options. Confirm this 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 with you.

Note: Texas Family Code Section 2.009 bars issuing a new license within 30 days of a divorce. If that applies, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.

The King County official website provides contact information for the County Clerk and other county services in Guthrie.

Review the King County website before your trip to Guthrie to confirm hours and confirm the clerk's office will be open on the day you plan to visit.

How to Get a Marriage License in King County

Both people must visit the County Clerk's office together in Guthrie. Bring the required documents, fill out the state form, and pay the fee. Given King County's remote location, call ahead and confirm the office is open before you make the drive.

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 Texas residency is needed. The license is valid 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 everything and issues the license the same day if all documents are in order.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

After the license is issued, you must wait 72 hours before the ceremony. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires this. Get your license on a Monday and you cannot hold the ceremony until Thursday. This is especially important to plan around if you are making a long trip to Guthrie.

The wait can be waived. Active duty military can bypass it. A judge can grant a written waiver. Couples who complete Twogether in Texas skip the wait and pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. For a county as remote as King, completing the course before you apply is the most practical way to reduce the number of trips you need to make.

The license is valid for 90 days. After that it expires. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. For remote counties, give yourself extra buffer time in case anything comes up.

King County Marriage Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the King 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 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 any Texas marriage 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 county copy.

Older King County marriage records are held at the clerk's office. For a county with very few residents, the archive is complete but limited in volume. Contact the office to ask about what records exist and how to request copies remotely.

Nearby Counties

King County is in Northwest Texas near several neighboring counties. Marriage license rules are the same at each county clerk across the state.