Nolan County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Nolan County, both applicants must visit the County Clerk's office in Sweetwater. Bring valid photo ID and know your Social Security numbers. No Texas residency is required. The license is issued under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license stays valid for 90 days. If you do not use it before it expires, you must reapply and pay the fee again.

Nolan County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Nolan County Clerk in Sweetwater issues all marriage licenses for the county. Both applicants must appear in person at the same time. There is only one location for this service in Nolan County. Staff can help you complete the application and will collect payment. They also maintain the permanent record once the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

The courthouse is in downtown Sweetwater. It is open on regular weekdays. Call ahead if you have questions about current hours, fees, or required documents. The office is closed on state holidays and weekends.

The standard fee is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay a reduced fee of around $22. Bring a valid completion certificate when you apply. Cash, check, and money order are usually accepted. Call to confirm whether credit or debit cards are taken before your visit.

Note: If either applicant was divorced in the past 30 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.009 prohibits issuing a new license within 30 days of a divorce without a court-issued waiver.

The Nolan County official website has contact information for the County Clerk's office in Sweetwater and other county departments.

Visiting the county website before your trip helps you confirm current hours and any details about the marriage license process in Sweetwater.

How to Get a Marriage License in Nolan County

Both people go to the clerk's office in Sweetwater at the same time. Show your IDs, fill out the state form, and pay. No appointment is needed. Most visits wrap up in under an hour. Bring everything on the list below and the process will be smooth.

What each applicant needs:

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

No residency is required. No blood test is needed. The state application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. Staff will ask about prior marriages. The license is valid statewide after the 72-hour waiting period ends.

72-Hour Waiting Period and License Fees

Texas sets a required 72-hour wait between the time the license is issued and the earliest the ceremony can take place. This rule is in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Three full days must pass from the exact time on the license before the ceremony can happen.

The wait can be waived in certain cases. Active duty military members are exempt. A judge can grant a written waiver. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program can skip the wait and pay a reduced fee. The 8-hour course covers communication, finances, and conflict management. Providers are listed at twogetherintexas.com. The standard Nolan County fee is about $82. With a valid certificate, it drops to approximately $22.

The license is good for 90 days from the issue date. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the wedding. That timeline works well after the 72-hour wait and keeps the license well within its validity window. Do not apply months in advance since the license can expire before the ceremony.

Nolan County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Nolan County Clerk within 30 days. That requirement comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is in the permanent public record. Certified copies are available from that point on.

Certified copies cost approximately $21 each through the Nolan County Clerk. Request them in person or by sending a written request with payment by mail. These copies are required for name changes on government IDs, passports, and Social Security records. They are also used for insurance enrollment, benefit applications, and immigration filings.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide marriage index from 1966 to the present. Verification letters from DSHS cost $20 and confirm a record is in the state system. These letters are not certified copies and are not accepted in all legal situations. For certified documents, always go through the county clerk where the license was filed.

Nearby Counties

Nolan County is in West Texas between Abilene and Midland. These surrounding counties each have a county clerk that issues marriage licenses.