Applying for a marriage license sounds like it should be the easy part of wedding planning, right up until you’re standing at the county clerk’s counter realizing you forgot your Social Security number or didn’t know there was a fee reduction sitting right there for the taking.
The application itself is simple once you know the steps, and there’s one move that makes it cheaper: completing the Twogether in Texas course ahead of time. Here’s exactly how to apply, what to bring, and how to knock up to $60 off the fee before you walk in.
Step 1: Confirm You’re Both Eligible to Apply
Both partners need to be 18 or older, or have a court order allowing marriage if younger, and neither can currently be married to anyone else. If either of you divorced recently, Texas generally requires 30 days to pass before you can remarry unless a specific exception applies. Confirming eligibility before you show up at the clerk’s office saves you a wasted trip if something needs to be sorted out first.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Bring valid government issued photo identification for both partners, such as a driver’s license or passport, along with your Social Security numbers. If either of you divorced recently, bring proof that the required waiting period has passed. If you have already completed a Twogether in Texas certificate, bring that too, since you will need the original document, not a photo or copy, to claim the discount described in step 4.
Step 3: Apply Together at the County Clerk’s Office
Both partners appear in person at any Texas county clerk’s office, regardless of where the wedding will actually take place. You will complete the application together, pay the license fee, typically $60 to $85 depending on the county, and in most counties receive your license the same day, pending any applicable waiting period. This step is where having your Twogether in Texas certificate ready actually matters, since the discount only applies at the point of application.
Step 4: Get Your $60 Discount with a Twogether in Texas Certificate
Present the original Twogether in Texas completion certificate, issued within the past year, and the clerk will deduct up to $60 from your license fee on the spot. The certificate comes from completing a state approved premarital education course, and how much Twogether in Texas actually costs breaks down what that course itself runs before the discount even applies.
Step 5: Know Your Waiting Period (or Skip It)
Without an exemption, Texas requires a 72 hour wait after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. A current Twogether in Texas certificate waives this wait entirely, in addition to reducing the fee, which is part of why couples on a tighter timeline often complete the course specifically to skip it. If you are also researching the broader Texas marriage license requirements beyond the discount itself, that guide covers documents, witnesses, and courthouse logistics in more detail.
Step 6: Use Your License Before It Expires
Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the issue date and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Texas, not just the county where you applied. Apply too early and you risk it expiring before the wedding, apply too late and you may run into the 72 hour wait without time to spare, so timing the application a few weeks out, once your date and venue are locked in, tends to work best.
FAQ: Texas Marriage License Discount Questions
How do I apply for a marriage license in Texas?
Both partners appear together at any Texas county clerk’s office with valid photo ID and your Social Security numbers. You will fill out an application, pay the license fee, and receive your license on the spot in most counties, ready for use once any waiting period clears.
What do I need to bring to get a Texas marriage license?
Bring valid government issued photo ID for both partners, such as a driver’s license or passport, plus your Social Security numbers. If either of you divorced recently, bring proof the required waiting period has passed. A Twogether in Texas certificate, if you have one, should come too.
How do I get a discount on my Texas marriage license?
Complete a state approved premarital education course, such as Twogether in Texas, before you apply. Bring the original completion certificate, issued within the past year, to the county clerk’s office, and they will deduct up to $60 from your license fee on the spot.
Can both people apply for a Texas marriage license separately?
Usually no, both partners need to appear together. Texas does allow an absent applicant in limited situations, using a notarized affidavit and the other partner appearing in person, but this requires extra paperwork, so plan to apply together whenever possible.
How soon before the wedding should I apply?
Apply at least a few days ahead to cover the standard 72 hour waiting period, unless you have a Twogether in Texas certificate or other exemption. Keep in mind your license is only valid for 90 days, so do not apply too far in advance either.
One Certificate, One Trip, $60 Saved
Getting your Texas marriage license does not have to be complicated or expensive. Show up together with the right documents, know your waiting period, and you will walk out with a valid license in one visit. The only real decision left is whether to grab the discount before you go.
Completing OurRelationship’s self guided Twogether in Texas course ahead of your appointment is the easiest way to cut $60 off your fee and skip the wait entirely. Want the full price breakdown first? Read how much Twogether in Texas actually costs before you sign up.
