Montgomery County Marriage License

Montgomery County offers three locations where couples can apply for a marriage license, making it one of the more convenient counties in Texas for this process. All three offices are run by the Montgomery County Clerk under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Both applicants must appear in person together. Bring valid photo ID and know your Social Security numbers. The fee is $81 and is accepted as cash only at all three locations. No residency is required. After the license is issued, you must wait 72 hours before holding the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.

Montgomery County Clerk - Marriage License Offices

Montgomery County is one of the few Texas counties with multiple clerk office locations. This is helpful for couples living in different parts of the county. You can go to whichever location is most convenient. All three process marriage licenses under the same rules and charge the same fee. Payment is cash only at every location, so come prepared.

Montgomery County marriage records go back to 1838, making it one of the longer-running records in the state. The county has kept official records since its early organization, and the current clerk's office maintains them along with all new filings.

Montgomery County also offers online ordering for certain vital records through the Montgomery County vitals portal. This can be helpful when requesting certified copies of records after the ceremony is complete and the license has been returned and recorded.

Note: The East Office in New Caney closes for a lunch break from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Plan your visit outside that window. The fee is $81 cash only at all locations. No cards or checks are accepted for marriage license applications.

The Montgomery County government website lists all clerk office locations, current hours, and service details for marriage licenses and other county records.

Checking the county's official site before your visit helps you confirm which location fits your schedule and whether any holiday closures affect your plans.

How to Get a Marriage License in Montgomery County

The process is the same at all three Montgomery County clerk locations. Both applicants go to the office together, fill out the state application, show their IDs, and pay the $81 cash fee. Most people complete the visit in under an hour. No appointment is needed at most times, though busy periods may have short waits.

Each applicant must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID card
• Social Security number (you must know it; a physical card is not always required)
• Certified divorce decree if either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order removing disabilities of minority if either applicant is under 18 years old

No residency documents are required. You do not need to live in Montgomery County or Texas to apply here. No blood test is needed. The application form used at all three offices is the standard state form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004. It asks for full legal names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. Staff will also ask about any prior marriages and how they ended.

The license is valid anywhere in Texas after the 72-hour waiting period passes. It does not matter which Montgomery County office issued it. You can hold the ceremony in any Texas county.

72-Hour Waiting Period and the $81 Fee

Texas law requires a 72-hour wait between when the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. This rule is found in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The 72 hours begin from the exact time stamped on the license. Count forward three full days before scheduling your ceremony time.

The waiting period can be waived in certain cases. Active duty military members do not have to wait. A judge can also issue a written waiver. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program can skip the 72-hour wait and also get a reduced license fee. With a valid Twogether in Texas certificate, the fee drops significantly from the standard $81. The course takes about 8 hours and is available through approved providers statewide. Bring the certificate to the clerk's office when you apply.

Remember: bring cash. Montgomery County does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or checks for marriage license payments. Come with the exact amount or close to it. The $81 fee is firm and applies at all three office locations. If you complete the Twogether in Texas course, ask the clerk about the reduced fee amount when you apply.

The 90-day validity window starts on the issue date. Apply one to two weeks before your ceremony to leave buffer time. If the license expires before the ceremony, you must apply again and pay the fee again.

Montgomery County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Montgomery County Clerk within 30 days. This deadline is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. When the clerk receives and records the signed license, the marriage becomes part of the official public record. Certified copies can then be requested through the clerk's office or through the online vitals portal.

Montgomery County marriage records go back to 1838. The county has some of the oldest marriage records in Texas due to its early settlement history. Current records and historical records are maintained by the clerk. For certified copies, visit any of the three clerk locations or order online through montgomerytxvitals.permitium.com. Certified copies cost approximately $21 each.

For statewide verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit holds a marriage index covering records from 1966 onward. They issue verification letters for $20. These letters confirm that a marriage record exists in the state index but are not the same as a certified copy. Use the county clerk for certified documents needed for legal and administrative purposes.

Cities in Montgomery County

Montgomery County includes Conroe, which is served by the county clerk's main office on West Davis Street.

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County borders several counties in the Houston metro area and East Texas. Each issues marriage licenses through their county clerk's office.