Search Refugio County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Refugio County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Refugio. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required to apply here. Both people must bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and be ready to wait 72 hours after the license is issued before the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

Refugio County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Refugio County Clerk's office handles all marriage license applications for the county. It is the only place in Refugio County where you can apply for a formal or informal marriage license. Staff can help with the application form, explain requirements, and answer questions about fees. After the ceremony, the office records the completed license once the officiant returns it within 30 days.

The city of Refugio is the county seat and where all marriage license applications are processed. The office follows a regular weekday schedule. It closes on state and county holidays. If you are coming from a nearby county like Aransas or San Patricio, call ahead to confirm hours before making the drive.

The standard marriage license fee in Refugio County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can get that fee reduced to around $22. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods. Bring cash or check if you are unsure. Present your documents and payment together when you arrive to complete the process in one visit.

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

The Refugio County official website provides information about county services and the County Clerk's office hours and contact details.

Reviewing the county site before your visit helps confirm current hours and any updated requirements for getting a marriage license in Refugio, Texas.

How to Get a Marriage License in Refugio County

Getting a marriage license in Refugio County follows the standard Texas process. Both applicants go to the clerk's office together in the city of Refugio. Come with the right documents and the process can usually be completed in a single visit. No appointment is typically required.

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 is helpful)
• 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 in Refugio County or Texas. No blood test is needed. The license is valid anywhere in Texas once issued. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.004, the application form collects full legal names, maiden surnames, dates of birth, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. If either applicant was married before, the clerk will ask how and when that marriage ended. These are standard Texas requirements.

Waiting Period and License Fees

Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. A license issued on Monday means the ceremony cannot happen before Thursday. Plan your application date with your wedding date in mind.

Three situations allow the wait to be waived. Active duty military are exempt. A judge can grant a written waiver. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course can skip the 72-hour wait and pay a lower fee. In Refugio County, the standard fee is about $82. With a Twogether in Texas certificate, the fee drops to approximately $22. The course is eight hours and locations are listed on the Twogether in Texas website.

The license is valid for 90 days from issuance. If you do not hold the ceremony in time, you have to apply again and pay the full fee. Most couples apply about one to two weeks before the wedding. That keeps plenty of time after the waiting period while staying within the 90-day window.

Refugio County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Refugio County Clerk within 30 days. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the official public record. You can then get certified copies for name changes, insurance, or legal matters.

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

Historical Refugio County marriage records are held in the permanent public record. Genealogists researching South Texas coastal families can request older records through the clerk's office or look through regional archives and genealogy databases.

Nearby Counties

Refugio County is on the Texas Gulf Coast. Neighboring county clerks issue marriage licenses under the same state rules.