County Clerk - Marriage License

County Clerk

Marriage License

County Clerks issue all marriage licenses in the State of Texas. A marriage license issued in a County is valid for marriage in any County in Texas. There is a 72-hour waiting period from the time the license is issued until the marriage takes place. A Judge may sign a document waiving the 72-hour waiting period. The marriage license expires 31 days from date of issue.

The person performing the ceremony fills out the license and returns it to the County Clerk that issued the license. The license is recorded in the County where it was issued, the information forwarded to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Austin, and the original license returned to the couple.

Requirements for marriage license:

Proof of age and identity (Bring a social security card and a valid government issued identification. If you do not have a valid government issued identification, please bring a social security card and a certified copy of birth certificate.)

Must be 18 years of age or have signed parental consent if ages 16-18, if 16 or under must petition the court.

Must be divorced at least 31days from date the divorce was final

There is no blood test required

72.00 fee must be paid in cash or money order (Effective 09/01/2008 HB 2685 increased marriage license fee to $72.00.) This fee may be reduced to $26.50 fee with the “Twogether In Texas” premarital education course certificate which complies with Section 2.013 of the Family Code. The course must be completed not more than a year before the marriage license application is filed with the County Clerk’s office, and applicants must provide the County Clerk a “Twogether in Texas” course completion certificate. Please call the County Clerk’s office (432) 688-4401 for an updated list of the “Twogether in Texas” premarital education courses that are available in Midland.

Marriage licenses are issued from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is also a Prison Proxy form for those who are incarcerated and unable to be present for ceremony.

An Informal Marriage (Common-Law) is legal in the State of Texas. A couple living as husband and wife may register this informal marriage with the County Clerk. The same requirements apply for this type of license. The fee for purchasing an informal marriage is $37.00 cash. The couple applying for an informal must be 18 years of age, parents may not sign for a minor to obtain an informal marriage license. (The HB 2685 or Family Code 2.013 does not apply to the informal marriage and the fee will remain $37.00)

A certified copy of a marriage license filed in the Midland County Clerk's office may be obtained for $10.00 per certified copy. If requesting the certified copy of marriage by mail, please include Name of male and female (maiden), marriage date and a return address, along with a money order or cashiers check for $10.00 per certified copy.
Send to: Midland County Clerk
PO Box 1350
Midland, Texas 79702 Phone (432) 688-4401

Note: Information on a marriage license can't be obtained until the marriage license is recorded in our office. Marriage license open to the public and marriage applications are not.