Medina County Marriage License Search

To get a marriage license in Medina County, Texas, both applicants must appear together at the County Clerk's office in Hondo. The clerk handles all marriage licenses 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 of issue.

Medina County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Medina County Clerk in Hondo handles all marriage license applications for the county. Hondo is the county seat and is located west of San Antonio on US Highway 90. The clerk's office is at the Medina County Courthouse. Staff can answer questions about required documents, fees, and what the application process involves. The clerk also maintains the official marriage record once the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

All marriage license services for Medina County are provided at the main courthouse in Hondo. There are no satellite locations. The office follows standard weekday business hours. It is a good idea to call ahead before your visit to confirm hours and ask about accepted payment methods. The office closes on state and federal holidays.

The standard marriage license fee in Medina County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program qualify for a reduced fee of around $22. Bring the completion certificate when you apply. The 8-hour program is offered at locations across Texas. The San Antonio area, which is close to Hondo, has several course options.

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

The Medina County Clerk's website lists contact details, office hours, and general information for residents and visitors applying for marriage licenses in Hondo.

Checking the county's website before your visit ensures you arrive with the correct documents and can confirm the office hours at the Hondo courthouse.

How to Get a Marriage License in Medina County

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office in Hondo. You fill out the application, show IDs, pay the fee, and receive the license the same day. The visit typically takes under an hour if you have everything ready. Once the license is issued, the 72-hour waiting period begins. The ceremony cannot take place until those 72 hours have fully passed.

Each applicant must 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 Texas residency is required. The license is valid statewide. No blood test is needed. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, birthplaces, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage details. Names on the form must match your photo ID.

72-Hour Wait and License Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period between the time the license is issued and the time the ceremony can be held. That rule is set in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The wait starts the moment the clerk issues the license. Count three full days before planning the ceremony.

Active duty military can skip the wait. A judge can grant a written waiver for documented good cause. Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital program lets couples waive the wait and pay about $22 instead of the standard $82. Courses near Hondo and the San Antonio area are listed at twogetherintexas.com.

The license is valid for 90 days. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony. That clears the 72-hour wait while keeping the license valid for the wedding date. If the license expires before the ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again from scratch.

Medina County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Medina County Clerk within 30 days. That is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records the returned license, the marriage is part of the official public record. Certified copies can then be requested for name changes, insurance, or other legal purposes.

Certified copies from the Medina County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. The office accepts in-person and mail requests. For statewide marriage verification from 1966 to the present, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index. Their $20 letters confirm a record is on file but are not certified copies from the county.

Medina County's marriage records go back many decades and are part of the permanent county archive. Genealogists can contact the clerk's office in Hondo to ask about older records. Some South Texas records may also be available through genealogy databases or archives covering the San Antonio and South Texas region.

Nearby Counties

Medina County is west of San Antonio in South Texas. The counties around it all operate under the same Texas marriage license rules.