Reeves County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Reeves County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Pecos. The clerk handles all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency in Reeves County or Texas is required to apply. Both people must bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and be prepared to wait 72 hours after the license is issued before the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days. Note that the county seat here is the city of Pecos in Reeves County, which is separate from Pecos County to the east.

Reeves County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Reeves County Clerk's office in Pecos is the only place in the county to apply for a formal or informal marriage license. Staff can guide you through the application form, explain the fee structure, and answer questions about the process. After your ceremony, the clerk records the completed license once the officiant returns it within 30 days.

Pecos is located in far West Texas in the Trans-Pecos region. The courthouse in Pecos serves as the single location for marriage license applications in Reeves County. The office follows a standard weekday schedule and closes on state and county holidays. If you are traveling from out of the area, call ahead to confirm office hours before your visit.

The standard marriage license fee in Reeves County is approximately $82. Couples who finish the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can have the fee reduced to around $22. Call the office to ask about accepted payment methods. Cash or check is generally the safest option for small West Texas county offices. Bring everything you need on your first visit to avoid a second trip.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a new license cannot be issued until 30 days after the divorce is finalized.

The Reeves County official website has information on county services and the County Clerk's contact details in Pecos.

Reviewing the county site before your visit helps confirm current office hours and what you need to bring to get a marriage license in Reeves County.

How to Get a Marriage License in Reeves County

Getting a marriage license in Reeves County follows the standard Texas process. Both applicants must go to the clerk's office in Pecos together. Bring the required documents, fill out the state application form, and pay the fee. Most people finish the whole process in under an hour.

Each applicant must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (must know it; having the card can help)
• Certified copy of divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order removing disabilities of minority if under 18 (required since September 1, 2017)

There is no residency requirement for Reeves County or Texas. No blood test is required. The license is valid anywhere in Texas once issued. The state form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, maiden surnames, birth dates, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. If either applicant was previously married, the clerk will ask about how and when that marriage ended. These are standard Texas requirements that apply in every county across the state.

Waiting Period and Fees in Reeves County

Texas law sets a 72-hour waiting period between the time the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. This is established by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Get your license on Monday and the earliest you can hold the ceremony is Thursday. Factor this into your planning.

The waiting period can be waived for active duty military. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course can waive the 72-hour wait and pay a lower fee. The standard fee in Reeves County is about $82. With a valid Twogether in Texas certificate, the fee drops to roughly $22. The course is eight hours and can be taken at locations across Texas.

The license is valid for 90 days. If you do not use it in that time, you have to start over and pay again. Apply about one to two weeks before the ceremony to give yourself room while staying comfortably within the 90-day window. Do not apply too far in advance or you risk the license expiring.

Reeves County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Reeves County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the permanent official record. You can then request certified copies for legal purposes such as name changes or benefits.

Certified copies of Reeves County marriage licenses cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail through the clerk's office. For marriages anywhere in Texas since 1966, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide index and provides verification letters for $20. These letters confirm a record exists but are not certified copies from the county clerk.

Historical Reeves County marriage records are part of the permanent public record. Researchers and genealogists can request older records through the clerk's office or look for historical materials in regional archives.

Nearby Counties

Reeves County is in far West Texas. Nearby county clerks issue marriage licenses under the same Texas state rules.