Martin County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Martin County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Stanton. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under rules set by the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. You do not need to be a Texas resident to apply. Both people must bring 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 date it is issued.

Martin County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Martin County Clerk in Stanton handles all marriage license applications for the county. Stanton is a small West Texas city that sits between Midland and Lubbock on the Permian Basin. The clerk's office is located in the Martin County Courthouse. Staff can help with questions about documents, fees, and the process. Completed, signed licenses returned after ceremonies are recorded as part of the official permanent record.

There is one location in Martin County for marriage license applications. The office follows a standard weekday schedule. Call ahead before your visit to confirm the office is open and to ask about accepted payment methods. Smaller West Texas counties sometimes accept only cash or check. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

The standard marriage license fee in Martin County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program get a reduced fee of around $22. Bring your completion certificate when you apply. The 8-hour course is offered at locations across Texas and covers communication, finances, and relationship skills.

Note: If either person was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day period to pass after a final divorce decree before a new marriage license can be issued.

The Martin County official website provides contact information for the clerk's office in Stanton and general guidance about county services.

Checking the county website before your visit helps you confirm current hours and verify that you have the right documents to complete the application in one trip.

How to Get a Marriage License in Martin County

Both applicants must appear together at the courthouse in Stanton. You complete the application, present IDs, and pay the fee. The visit usually takes under an hour. After you get the license, the 72-hour waiting period starts immediately. The ceremony cannot be held until that time has fully passed.

Each applicant needs to bring:

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

No residency requirement applies. The license is valid statewide. No blood test is required. The application under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. You will also disclose any prior marriages and when they ended. Fill out everything accurately since it becomes a permanent public record.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

All Texas marriage licenses require a 72-hour wait after issue before the ceremony can happen. This is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Count 72 full hours from when the clerk hands over the license. Plan your application day accordingly.

Active duty military can have the wait waived. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program skip the wait and pay the reduced $22 fee instead of the standard $82. Course options near the Midland-Stanton area are listed at twogetherintexas.com.

The license is good for 90 days. Most couples apply about one to two weeks before the ceremony. That is usually enough time for the 72-hour wait to pass while keeping the license well within the 90-day validity window. If the license expires, you must reapply and pay again.

Informal marriage declarations can also be filed at the Martin County Clerk's office. Both people must appear in person. That process costs around $42.

Martin County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Martin County Clerk within 30 days under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage is part of the official public file. Certified copies can be requested for name changes, benefits, or other legal needs.

Certified copies from the Martin County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. Contact the office for instructions on in-person and mail requests. For statewide verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a Texas marriage index from 1966 to the present. Their $20 letters verify that a record is on file.

Martin County's marriage records go back many decades and are part of the permanent county archive. Contact the clerk's office if you need access to older records for genealogy or legal research purposes.

Nearby Counties

Martin County is in West Texas on the Permian Basin. The counties around it all follow the same Texas marriage license rules.