Starr County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person at the Starr County Clerk's office in Rio Grande City to get a marriage license in Starr County, Texas. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued before a ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date.

Starr County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Starr County Clerk in Rio Grande City handles all marriage license applications for the county. This is the single office in Starr County for formal and informal marriage licenses. Staff there take applications, collect fees, and issue licenses. After the ceremony, the clerk also records the returned license and handles requests for certified copies.

Starr County is located along the Rio Grande in deep South Texas. The clerk's office is at the Starr County Courthouse in Rio Grande City. There are no satellite offices for this service. You must visit in person on a weekday during regular business hours. The office closes on state and federal holidays.

The standard fee for a marriage license in Starr County is approximately $82. Couples who finish the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay a reduced fee of about $22. Call the office ahead of time to confirm payment options. Cash, check, and money order are common forms of payment at county clerks in Texas.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the past 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 being finalized.

The Starr County official website has contact information for the clerk's office and details about county services available in Rio Grande City.

Check the Starr County website before your visit to confirm current hours and any updates to the application requirements.

How to Get a Marriage License in Starr County

Both applicants must go to the clerk's office at the same time. In most cases you can complete the application during one visit. Have your documents ready and the clerk will walk you through the state application form, verify your IDs, and issue the license.

Each person 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 helpful 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 person is under 18 years old

No Texas residency is required. You can get a license in Starr County regardless of where you live. The license is valid for use anywhere in Texas once issued. No blood test is needed. The application asks for full legal names, birth dates, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. Prior marriages and how they ended must be disclosed as required by Texas Family Code Section 2.004.

Starr County has a bilingual population and the clerk's staff is accustomed to assisting applicants in both English and Spanish. If you have questions about the application in Spanish, the office should be able to assist.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

After the Starr County Clerk issues your marriage license, Texas requires a 72-hour wait before the ceremony can be performed. This is set out in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. You cannot waive this period on your own. However, active military members on duty can have it waived. A judge can also issue a written waiver for cause.

Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program also have the 72-hour wait waived and pay only about $22 for the license rather than the standard $82. The course covers eight hours of content on communication, finances, and relationship skills. You can find course locations and online options at twogetherintexas.com.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. If you do not hold the ceremony before the license expires, you must apply again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before their ceremony date. That timing handles the 72-hour wait while keeping the license within the 90-day window.

Informal marriage declarations are also handled by the Starr County Clerk. Both people must appear together and the fee is typically around $42. This creates a formal legal record under Texas law.

Starr County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the license to the Starr County Clerk within 30 days. This requirement is in Texas Family Code Section 2.206. The clerk records it and it becomes part of the official public record. Certified copies can be ordered for name changes, insurance, government benefits, and other legal purposes.

Certified copies from the Starr County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit also keeps a statewide index going back to 1966 and issues verification letters for $20. Those letters confirm that a record is on file but are not certified copies.

Older Starr County marriage records are part of the permanent county archive. Researchers and genealogists should contact the clerk's office directly to ask about accessing historical records. Some documents may be available on microfilm or through genealogy databases.

Nearby Counties

Starr County is in South Texas near the Rio Grande. Neighboring county clerks follow the same Texas state rules for marriage licenses.