b'Making itcation class as a couple, you wont have to pay the $60 state portion of the fee.You will still have to pay the county portion, which varies by county. Texas marriage licenses are valid in every state.Find someone appropriate to marry you. Texas law has spe-cic regulations as to whom can marry someone legally in the state.Those who qualify: A retired judge of a municipal court and a retired judge or magistrate of a federal court of Texas; a justice of the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court; judge of the Criminal appeals; judge of the district, county, and probate courts; judge of the county courts at law; judge of the courts of domestic rela-tions; judge of juvenile courts; and retired justice or judge of those APPLYING FOR A TEXAS MARRIAGE LICENSE courts or current or retired justice of the peace.Appear before the county clerk. To obtain a marriage license,Others qualied to marry people in Texas are a licensed or you need to show up to a Texas county clerks ofce. All coun- ordained Christian minister or priest, a Jewish Rabbi, or a person ties in Texas issue licenses.Sometimes these ofces are calledwho is an ofcer in a religious organization authorized by the marriage license bureaus. organization to conduct the marriage ceremony.Both partners must appear in person. The clerks ofcial willAttend the ceremony, unless you meet the military exemption. give you a formal application. You must be at least 16. ApplicantsSeems obvious, but, yes, you have to actually attend the ceremo-under age 18 need a certied copy of their long-form birth certi- ny and so does your partner or you wont be able to get married cate issued in the last 10 years and judicial approval or parentalin Texas.consent. The exception is if you or your future spouse is a member of You will need to take the oath that is printed on the applicationthe United States military who is stationed in another country in and signed before the county clerk. You dont have to get marriedcombat or another military operation.in the county from which you obtained the license. After the ceremony concludes, the person who conducts the Prove your identity and age. To obtain a marriage license, themarriage should record the date and county where the ceremony county clerk will ask you and your partner to prove your identitieswas performed on the license, and return it to the County Clerk and ages. There are several ways you can do this. who issued it no later than the 30th day after the date the cer-emony is conducted.Present a drivers license or identication card that was issued inFollow the time limits. To be married in Texas, you need to Texas or another American state. The identication card cant behave the marriage ceremony before the 90th day after the date torn or damaged. Expired documents are not accepted. your marriage license was issued.Present a current passport issued by the United States orIf you try to get married after that, you wont be able to do so another country. Present an original or certied copy of your birthbecause the marriage license will be expired.certicate. Present a valid government or Military ID.Pay the fee. To get a marriage license in Texas, you will need toBe aware that you have to wait 72 hours after obtaining the pay a fee. The fee is generally $70-81 varying by county. license to have the ceremony though. There is an exception for military personnel.If you go through the State of Texas approved marriage edu-'