Val Verde County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person at the Val Verde County Clerk's office in Del Rio to get a marriage license in Val Verde County, Texas. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No Texas residency is required. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. Texas law sets a 72-hour waiting period between issuance and the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days.

Val Verde County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Val Verde County Clerk in Del Rio handles all marriage license applications for the county. Del Rio is the county seat and the location of the single office where applicants must appear in person. The clerk issues both formal and informal marriage licenses, maintains the official records, and provides certified copies upon request. Both applicants must appear together in most cases.

The clerk's office is at the Val Verde County Courthouse in Del Rio. There are no satellite locations for marriage license services. The office operates during regular weekday hours and is closed on state holidays. Del Rio sits near the Texas-Mexico border and is accessible from the surrounding region and from Eagle Pass, Laredo, and other nearby border cities.

The standard fee in Val Verde County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program pay around $22. Call the office to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit. Cash or money order is safest for in-person payments at smaller county offices.

Note: If either applicant finalized a divorce within the last 30 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree must be presented at the time of application. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.009, a new marriage license cannot be issued within 30 days of a final divorce.

The Texas Department of State Health Services publishes statewide guidance on marriage license requirements applicable throughout Texas, including Val Verde County.

Reviewing state requirements before visiting the Val Verde County Clerk in Del Rio ensures you know exactly what to bring on the day you apply.

How to Apply in Val Verde County

Both applicants go to the Del Rio courthouse at the same time, bring their IDs, fill out the state form, and pay. The clerk processes most applications the same day. No appointment is typically needed, but calling ahead is a smart idea.

Each person must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (you must know it; having the card helps)
• Certified divorce decree if either person was divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18

No residency in Val Verde County or Texas is required. Applicants from Mexico, other states, or anywhere else in the world can apply for a marriage license at the Val Verde County Clerk. The license is valid for any ceremony held in Texas. No blood test is needed.

The state form asks for full legal names, maiden names, birth dates, birthplaces, and Social Security numbers. Prior marriages must be disclosed, including how and when they ended. This requirement comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.004.

72-Hour Wait and License Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The wait starts at the moment the clerk issues the license. A Thursday afternoon issuance means Sunday afternoon is the earliest date for the ceremony.

Three groups may waive the wait. Active duty military can skip it. A judge may grant a written waiver for good cause shown. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital program receive a waiver of the waiting period and pay a reduced fee of about $22. The course takes approximately eight hours. Providers operate in San Antonio and other larger cities near Val Verde County.

The license expires 90 days after issue. Missing the window means reapplying and paying again. Plan ahead and leave buffer time between your application date and the wedding date. An informal marriage declaration in Val Verde County typically costs about $42 and also requires both people to appear in person.

Val Verde County Marriage Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the license to the Val Verde County Clerk within 30 days. This requirement is under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once filed, the record is public. Certified copies are available for name changes, insurance enrollment, passport applications, and other official purposes.

Certified copies cost approximately $21 each from the Val Verde County Clerk. Request them in person in Del Rio or by mail. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit holds a statewide marriage record index going back to 1966. DSHS verification letters cost $20 and confirm whether a record exists, but they are not the same as a certified county copy.

Historical Val Verde County marriage records are part of the permanent public archive. Genealogists and researchers can contact the Del Rio clerk's office for access to older records. Some records may also be available through genealogy databases and regional archives.

Nearby Counties

Val Verde County borders several counties in the Texas border region and Hill Country.