Wichita County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Wichita County, Texas, both applicants must appear in person at the County Clerk's office in Wichita Falls. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency is required. Both people must bring valid photo ID, know their Social Security numbers, and be ready to wait the required 72 hours before the ceremony. The license is good for 90 days from the date it is issued. Wichita Falls is the largest city in the county and the seat of county government, so this is where all license applications are handled.

Wichita County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Wichita County Clerk's office handles all marriage license applications in the county. It sits in the courthouse in downtown Wichita Falls. Staff there can tell you what to bring, confirm current fees, and walk you through the application form. They also maintain official records after your signed license is returned from the officiant.

There is only one location in Wichita County for marriage license applications. No satellite offices issue licenses. Plan to arrive during business hours and bring everything you need. If you have questions before the trip, call ahead. The staff can confirm hours and whether anything has changed since your last check.

The standard fee for a marriage license in Wichita County is approximately $82. If both applicants complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course through twogetherintexas.com, the fee drops to around $22. Bring cash, check, or money order. Call ahead to ask about card payments before your visit.

Note: Anyone divorced within the last 30 days must bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree. Texas law at Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires a 30-day waiting period after a divorce before a new marriage license can be issued.

The Wichita County official website has contact details, office hours, and information about County Clerk services including marriage licenses.

Check the county website before your visit to confirm current hours and any updates to fees or requirements.

How to Get a Marriage License in Wichita County

Both applicants must go to the County Clerk's office together. You cannot apply by mail or online. The process is fast when you arrive prepared. Most couples finish the application in under an hour.

Each applicant must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID
• Social Security number (know it; a card is helpful but not always required)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the past 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (Texas requires removal of disabilities of minority by court order since 2017)

No residency in Wichita County or Texas is required. The license is valid anywhere in the state, regardless of where you apply. No blood test is required. Just show up with your ID, your Social Security number, and your partner. The clerk will give you a state application form to fill out.

The form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and prior marriage history. If either applicant was married before, the clerk will ask how and when that marriage ended. Answer honestly. Providing false information on a marriage license application is a criminal offense under Texas law.

72-Hour Waiting Period and License Fees

After the license is issued, Texas law requires a 72-hour wait before the ceremony. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. If you pick up your license on a Monday at noon, you cannot legally marry until Thursday at noon. Most couples plan ahead by getting the license one to two weeks before the wedding.

Three exceptions can waive the waiting period. Active duty military members can apply to skip the wait. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. And couples who finish the Twogether in Texas premarital course both waive the waiting period and pay a lower fee. The standard fee is around $82. With a completed Twogether in Texas certificate, it drops to roughly $22. The course runs about 8 hours and is offered at sites across North Texas. Details are at twogetherintexas.com.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. It does not matter when you plan the ceremony as long as it falls within that window. If the license expires, you must apply again and pay the fee again. Most couples apply well in advance but not more than a few months out.

Informal marriage declarations are also available through the Wichita County Clerk. Both parties must appear in person. The fee is typically around $42. An informal marriage creates the same legal status as a formal marriage and the record is kept at the county level.

Wichita County Marriage License Records

Once the ceremony is done, the officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Wichita County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.206. After the clerk records it, the marriage is part of the official public record. Certified copies are then available for legal use, including name changes, insurance enrollment, and immigration paperwork.

Certified copies of Wichita County marriage licenses cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person at the County Clerk's office or by mail. For statewide records going back to 1966, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains an index. Their verification letters cost $20 and confirm a record exists but are not the same as a certified county copy.

Older records in Wichita County may be available through the clerk's office or through genealogical archives. The county has been recording marriages since its formation in the late 1800s. Researchers can contact the clerk directly to ask about older record availability and any associated search fees.

Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County and home to the County Clerk's office where all marriage licenses are issued.

Nearby Counties

Wichita County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. Adjacent counties follow the same state rules for marriage licenses.