Williamson County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Williamson County are issued by the County Clerk in Georgetown, the county seat. Both applicants must appear in person at the Justice Center to apply. The office follows all rules under the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency is required. You need valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The fee is approximately $82, with a reduced fee available for couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course. After the license is issued, you must wait 72 hours before holding the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days.

Williamson County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Williamson County Clerk issues all marriage licenses at the Justice Center in Georgetown. This office handles a high volume of applications given that Williamson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. The clerk's office is in the basement of the Justice Center building. Staff there can help with the application process, confirm current fees, and answer questions about what to bring. The office also maintains official records once the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

Williamson County has specific payment rules. The office prefers cash and does not accept personal checks. Bills over $20 are not accepted. No checks of any kind are allowed. Plan to bring smaller bills or call ahead to confirm current payment options. These rules are set at the county level and may differ from other Texas counties.

The standard fee is approximately $82, which includes an $11 preservation fee. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course pay around $32 total instead. The course runs about 8 hours. Details and provider locations are at twogetherintexas.com. Bring your completion certificate to the clerk's office when you apply.

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

The Williamson County official website provides current information about the County Clerk, office location, hours, fees, and services including marriage licenses.

Check wilcotx.gov before your visit to confirm any changes to office procedures or payment requirements, as Williamson County processes a high volume of applications year-round.

How to Get a Marriage License in Williamson County

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office. There is no online or mail option for applying. The process usually takes under an hour if you arrive prepared.

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 provide it at time of application)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the past 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18 (a minor must have a court order removing disabilities of minority)
• Cash in small bills (no bills over $20, no checks accepted at Williamson County)

No Texas residency is required. You can get a Williamson County license and use it anywhere in Texas. No blood test is needed. The application form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth dates and places, and prior marriage history for both applicants. If you have been married before, be ready to say when and how it ended.

Williamson County sees a lot of applications. Arrive early in the day if you want to avoid a wait. Mornings tend to be faster than afternoons. The Justice Center in Georgetown has parking available. The clerk's office is located in the basement level of the building.

The 72-Hour Wait and License Fees

Texas law under Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour waiting period from the time the license is issued. You cannot hold the ceremony until those 72 hours pass. Apply at least three days before your ceremony date and plan your timeline carefully. Many couples in Williamson County apply a week or two before the wedding to stay comfortable within both the waiting period and the 90-day validity window.

Waivers exist for three groups. Active duty military can request a waiver. A judge can issue a written waiver for specific cause. And couples who complete the Twogether in Texas course get the waiting period waived automatically. The Twogether in Texas benefit for Williamson County couples brings the fee down from roughly $82 to about $32 total (compared to $22 in some counties due to the $11 preservation fee). Bring your certificate when you apply.

The 90-day clock starts the day the license is issued. Not the day of the ceremony. Not the day you picked up the certificate. Apply close enough to your wedding that you do not risk the license expiring. If it does expire, you have to start over and pay again. There is no way to extend or renew.

An informal marriage declaration is also available through the Williamson County Clerk. Both parties must appear. Fees vary. Ask the clerk's office for current amounts when you call or visit.

Williamson County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, your officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Williamson County Clerk within 30 days. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage is part of the public record. You can then request certified copies for legal use. Common uses include name changes with Social Security, changing your name on a driver's license, updating insurance, and immigration matters.

Certified copies of Williamson County marriage licenses cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person at the Georgetown office or by mail. For records from other counties or statewide verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index back to 1966. Their verification letters cost $20. Those confirm a record exists but are not certified copies.

Williamson County has been one of Texas's highest-growth counties for years. The volume of marriages processed each year is substantial. Records are well-maintained at the county level. If you need an older record or have a question about a specific filing, contact the Williamson County Clerk directly at (512) 943-1515 or through the Williamson County website.

Cities in Williamson County

Several large cities are in Williamson County. All marriage licenses for these cities are issued at the Georgetown courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Williamson County is in Central Texas just north of Austin. Neighboring county clerks follow the same state rules for marriage licenses.