Loving County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Loving County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Mentone. Loving County is the least populous county in the United States, but the same Texas marriage license rules apply here as everywhere else in the state. The clerk operates under the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency is required. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. After the license is issued, a 72-hour waiting period applies before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date.

Loving County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Loving County Clerk in Mentone is the only place to apply for a marriage license in this county. Loving County has a very small population and the clerk's office serves a wide area of West Texas oil country. Staff can answer questions about what to bring and how the process works. All records filed here become part of the permanent county archive.

This is a very remote location. Mentone sits in far West Texas near the New Mexico border. If you are coming from a distance, call ahead to confirm the clerk is available and the office is open that day. Hours may be more limited than a typical county office due to the small staff. Confirm payment methods before your trip since very small county offices sometimes accept cash only.

The standard marriage license fee is approximately $82. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program, the fee drops to around $22. You must bring the program completion certificate when you apply. The 8-hour course is offered at locations across Texas and focuses on communication and relationship skills.

Note: Anyone divorced in the last 30 days must bring a certified copy of their divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a new marriage license cannot be issued until 30 days after the divorce was finalized.

The Loving County Clerk's office can be reached by phone to confirm availability before traveling to this remote West Texas location.

Because Loving County is the least populated county in the country, calling ahead is strongly recommended. The clerk serves a very small community and office arrangements can differ from a standard county courthouse.

How to Get a Marriage License in Loving County

The marriage license process in Loving County follows standard Texas rules. Both applicants must appear in person at the clerk's office in Mentone. You complete the application, present IDs, pay the fee, and receive the license that day. Then the 72-hour waiting period begins before the ceremony can be held.

Each person must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military card
• Social Security number (you must know it; a card is helpful)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18

There is no residency requirement. The license is valid anywhere in Texas. No blood test is needed. The application under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. It also asks about prior marriages and how they ended. Take care to fill it out accurately since the form becomes part of a permanent legal record.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

All Texas marriage licenses carry a 72-hour waiting period from the moment of issue. The rule is in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Count three full days from the issue time before scheduling the ceremony. Do not plan the wedding the same day you pick up the license.

Exceptions exist. Active duty military can waive the wait. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program also skip the wait and pay only about $22 instead of the standard $82. Course options are listed at twogetherintexas.com.

The license is valid for 90 days. Given the remote location of the Loving County Clerk, plan the application timing carefully. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. If the license expires before the wedding, you will need to travel back and apply again.

Informal marriage declarations can also be filed with the Loving County Clerk. Both people must appear in person. That process typically costs around $42.

Marriage License Records in Loving County

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Loving County Clerk within 30 days under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage enters the official public record. Certified copies can then be obtained for name changes, insurance, or other legal matters.

Certified copies from the Loving County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. Contact the office about in-person or mail request procedures. For statewide marriage record verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains an index of Texas marriages from 1966 to present. Their verification letters cost $20 and confirm that a record is on file.

Loving County's marriage records form part of the permanent archive. The volume is small given the county's size, but records are maintained as required by state law. Researchers interested in this remote county's history can contact the clerk's office directly about access to older files.

Nearby Counties

Loving County sits in far West Texas near the New Mexico state line. The surrounding counties all operate under the same Texas marriage license rules.