Search Smith County Marriage License Records

To get a marriage license in Smith County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Tyler. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency is required. Both people must bring valid photo ID and know their Social Security numbers. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before any ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued, and no blood test is needed.

Smith County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Smith County Clerk in Tyler is the office to go to for a marriage license in Smith County. The clerk handles all formal and informal marriage license applications, takes payment, and issues the license. After your ceremony, this office also records the completed license once your officiant returns it. If you need certified copies later, you request them from the clerk as well.

Smith County is one of the larger counties in East Texas, with Tyler as its county seat. The main clerk's office is at the Smith County Courthouse on N Broadway Avenue in Tyler. This is a busy office and you may want to go early in the day to avoid wait times. The office is open on regular weekdays and closed on state and county holidays.

The fee for a standard marriage license in Smith County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22. Smith County accepts several forms of payment. Check the Smith County website or call ahead to confirm whether credit and debit cards are accepted at the clerk's office.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. Texas law does not allow a new marriage license to be issued within 30 days of a divorce, per Texas Family Code Section 2.009.

The Smith County official website has information on the County Clerk's office, services available in Tyler, and how to contact the office directly.

Check the Smith County website before your visit to see current hours, office closures, and any updates to the application process in Tyler.

How to Get a Marriage License in Smith County

Both applicants must go to the clerk's office in Tyler together. You can usually complete the process in one visit if you bring the right documents. The office will have you fill out the standard state application and review your IDs. Larger counties like Smith can be busier, so going early in the morning or midweek can help you avoid a longer wait.

Each applicant must bring:

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

You do not have to live in Smith County or in Texas to get your license here. The license is valid for use in any Texas county. No blood test is required. The application form asks for full legal names including maiden surnames, dates of birth, places of birth, and Social Security numbers. Any prior marriages and how they ended must be disclosed, as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.004.

Smith County processes many applications each year. The clerk's office is set up to handle the volume efficiently. Most visits take 20 to 30 minutes. If you have questions about your documents or prior marriage history, the staff can help you sort things out.

72-Hour Waiting Period and License Fees

After the Smith County Clerk issues your marriage license, Texas law requires a 72-hour wait before the ceremony can take place. This is set out in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. So if you pick up your license on a Friday afternoon, the earliest your ceremony can happen is Monday afternoon.

Active military members on duty can have the waiting period waived. A judge can issue a written waiver for documented good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program also get the wait waived and pay only about $22 for the license instead of the regular $82. The course is eight hours long and can be done online or in person. Find details at twogetherintexas.com.

The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the day it is issued. Do not apply too early. If your ceremony does not happen within 90 days, you have to apply again and pay a second time. Most couples in Smith County apply about one to two weeks before their wedding date. That gives enough time for the 72-hour wait without letting the license expire.

The Smith County Clerk also handles informal marriage declarations for couples who wish to formalize a common law marriage. Both parties must appear in person and the fee is typically around $42. An informal marriage declaration is a legal document under Texas law.

Smith County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Smith County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once the clerk files it, the marriage becomes part of the official public record. You can then order certified copies for name changes, insurance changes, benefits enrollment, or other legal needs.

Certified copies from the Smith County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person at the Tyler courthouse or by mail. For statewide marriage verification going back to 1966, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains an index and issues verification letters for $20. Those letters confirm a record is on file but are not the same as a certified copy from the county.

Smith County has maintained marriage records for many decades. The clerk's office holds these records as part of the permanent county archive. Genealogists and researchers can contact the office to ask about historic records and how to access them. Some older records may be available through microfilm or genealogy research services.

Cities in Smith County

Tyler is the largest city in Smith County and is served directly by the Smith County Clerk's office on N Broadway Avenue.

Nearby Counties

Smith County is in East Texas near several other counties. Each county clerk follows the same Texas state rules for marriage licenses.