Wood County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Wood County, Texas are issued by the County Clerk in Quitman. Both applicants must appear in person to apply. All licenses are issued under the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency in Wood County or Texas is required. Both applicants need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. Wood County is in East Texas and the Quitman courthouse is the only location in the county for marriage license applications.

Wood County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Wood County Clerk handles all marriage license applications at the courthouse in Quitman. This is the single office in the county for this service. Staff can answer questions about the application, confirm fees, and help with any special circumstances. After the ceremony, the signed license is returned to this same office for official recording.

Wood County is in East Texas between Tyler and the Ark-La-Tex region. Some couples in the area near Mineola or other Wood County communities choose to apply in Quitman. The courthouse is in downtown Quitman. Check hours before you travel, especially if you are coming from a distance. The office is closed on state holidays.

The standard fee for a Wood County marriage license is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course pay around $22 instead and also waive the 72-hour waiting period. Find course providers near Wood County at twogetherintexas.com. Bring your completion certificate when you apply. Call ahead to confirm payment methods accepted at this office.

Note: If either applicant was divorced within the last 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Per Texas Family Code Section 2.009, no license can be issued until 30 days after a divorce is final.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics maintains a statewide marriage index and provides verification letters for marriages recorded across Texas since 1966.

DSHS verification letters cost $20 and confirm that a marriage record is on file. For a certified copy, contact the County Clerk in Quitman directly.

How to Get a Marriage License in Wood County

Both applicants must go to the Quitman courthouse together. You cannot apply by mail or online. The process is usually done in under an hour if you come 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 the time of application)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the past 30 days
• Court order if either applicant is under 18

No Texas residency is required. No blood test is needed. The license is valid anywhere in Texas once issued. Just show up together with your IDs and Social Security numbers, fill out the form, and pay the fee. The state form under Texas Family Code Section 2.004 asks for full legal names, birth information, and prior marriage history for both applicants.

If either applicant has been married before, be ready to say when and how it ended. The clerk will note whether it was by death or divorce and when. Providing false information on a marriage license application is a criminal offense in Texas. Answer all questions honestly and completely.

The 72-Hour Wait and License Costs

Under Texas Family Code Section 2.204, the ceremony cannot happen until 72 hours after the license is issued. Apply early enough that the wait is over by your ceremony date. Get the license on a Friday morning and you cannot hold the ceremony until Monday morning at the earliest. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the wedding to give themselves flexibility.

The waiting period has three exceptions. Active duty military can apply for a waiver. A judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas course get the wait waived automatically and also pay a reduced fee of about $22 instead of the standard $82. The 8-hour course is available across East Texas. Visit twogetherintexas.com for providers near Wood County.

The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. There is no extension. If it expires before the ceremony, you must apply again and pay again. Plan your application date accordingly. The 90-day window gives couples plenty of time as long as they do not apply too far out.

Wood County Marriage License Records

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed license to the Wood County Clerk within 30 days. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.206. Once recorded, the marriage is on the official public record. Certified copies cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail through the county clerk in Quitman.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index going back to 1966. Verification letters cost $20. They confirm a record exists but are not certified copies. For legal purposes you will need a certified copy from the Wood County Clerk.

Older Wood County marriage records are available through the clerk's office for research purposes. Some historical records may also appear in genealogy databases or regional archives. The county has been issuing marriage licenses since the late 1800s. Contact the Quitman office directly to ask about older records and any research fees.

Nearby Counties

Wood County is in East Texas. Neighboring county clerks follow the same Texas state rules for marriage license applications.