Lamar County Marriage License Search

Lamar County marriage licenses are issued at the County Clerk's office in Paris, Texas. Both applicants must go to the office in person and bring valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. The license is good for 90 days after the clerk issues it, giving you plenty of time to plan the ceremony. This page covers the fees, ID requirements, the 72-hour waiting period, and how to get certified copies of your Lamar County marriage record after the ceremony.

Lamar County Clerk - Where to Apply

The Lamar County Clerk's office sits at the Lamar County Courthouse at 119 N Main St in Paris, Texas 75460. The phone number is 903-737-2410. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's office is closed on weekends and county holidays.

You can find more information on the Lamar County official website. The clerk's page lists contact information and may include updates on any changes to hours or procedures. Paris is the county seat and the main hub for all county services, so this is the one location where you apply.

Both people must be present at the same time. You cannot complete the process separately or by mail. Once you hand in the application and the clerk processes it, the 72-hour waiting period begins from the time the clerk signs the license.

Requirements for a Lamar County Marriage License

Texas sets the rules for marriage licenses through the Family Code Chapter 2. The County Clerk applies those rules when you apply. Here's what both applicants need to bring to the Paris courthouse:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Your Social Security number (or a document that shows it)
• If your last marriage ended within 30 days of today, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate
• Payment for the license fee

There is no residency requirement. You don't have to live in Lamar County or even in Texas to apply here. The license you get in Paris is valid anywhere in the state. No blood test is required. No waiting time before you can apply, only the 72-hour period after the clerk issues the license.

You must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. If you're 16 or 17, you need both parental consent and a court order. Texas does not allow marriage for anyone under 16.

Marriage License Fees in Lamar County

The standard marriage license fee in Lamar County is $82.00. This is set by the state and can vary slightly by county. Lamar County falls in the range typical for Northeast Texas counties.

If you've completed the Twogether in Texas premarital education program, bring your completion certificate. The Twogether certificate lowers the fee to around $22.00 and also waives the 72-hour waiting period. That's a significant benefit. You can find out more about the Twogether program through the Texas Attorney General's office.

Active-duty military members can also get the 72-hour wait waived. Bring military ID or deployment orders when you apply. For everyone else, the 72 hours starts ticking from when the clerk issues the license and cannot be shortened without one of those official waivers.

An informal marriage (common law) declaration costs around $42.00 in most Texas counties. Both parties must appear in person at the clerk's office to sign the declaration form.

Lamar County Marriage Records

The Lamar County Clerk keeps marriage records on file as part of the permanent official record. These records are public, meaning anyone can request access to them. The clerk's office in Paris is the first place to look if you need to verify a marriage that took place in Lamar County.

The Lamar County website may offer limited online search tools. For more complete searches, including older records, you may need to visit the courthouse in person or contact the clerk's office by phone. Historical marriage records for Lamar County can go back to when the county was formed, and some older records are available through genealogical resources.

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of marriages from 1966 forward. You can request a verification letter from DSHS Vital Statistics for $20.00. This letter is not a certified copy but can confirm whether a record exists. For a certified copy, you contact the Lamar County Clerk directly.

Certified copies of marriage licenses typically cost around $6.00 per copy in Texas. You'll need one for name changes on a Social Security card, driver's license, or passport, and for insurance and beneficiary updates.

After the Ceremony

The officiant who performs the ceremony is required to return the signed marriage license to the County Clerk's office within 30 days. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is official in the state record system. The Texas Family Code requires this return under Chapter 2. Make sure your officiant understands this responsibility before the ceremony.

The officiant must be legally authorized to perform marriages in Texas. That includes licensed or ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, judges, justices of the peace, and certain other officials. The officiant has 30 days from the ceremony date to return the license. After it's recorded, you can get certified copies from the Lamar County Clerk in Paris.

Note: The license image below is taken from the official Lamar County website and shows the county's public-facing marriage license information page.

The Lamar County Clerk's office is the source of record for all marriage licenses issued in the county.

The screenshot above reflects the county clerk's office page covering marriage license services available in Lamar County, Texas.

Nearby Counties

Lamar County is in Northeast Texas near the Oklahoma border. Neighboring counties where you could also apply for a marriage license include:

• Red River County - County seat: Clarksville
• Delta County - County seat: Cooper
• Fannin County - County seat: Bonham
• Hopkins County - County seat: Sulphur Springs
• Bowie County - County seat: Boston