FAQs • McLennan County, TX • CivicEngage

Do both parties have to be present at the same time license is purchased?: Yes. Both parties are required to be present when you are purchasing a marriage license.

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County Clerk Marriage License

1. What year do your marriage records start?: Marriage Records for McLennan County start in 1850, and through 1995 were recorded and indexed in books here in our office. Marriage Records from 1996 to the present were recorded and indexed electronically.
Official Public Records

2. Are any of your marriage records available electronically?: Yes. Currently, all marriage records from 1878 to the present are available electronically on the public workstations in our office, or online via the McLennan County website.

3. What is a formal marriage?: Two persons desiring to enter into a ceremonial marriage must obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk of any county in this state.

4. What is an informal marriage (common law)?: When two persons agree to be married, and after the agreement they live together in this state as spouses, and they represent to others that they are married. As proof, the couple may apply for a Declaration of Informal Marriage. No ceremony is required and the fee is $36.

5. How do I obtain a copy of my marriage license?: You can obtain a copy of your marriage license by mail or online. See the instructions above on how to do this.
Request a License Copy page.

6. When will the license be issued?: The license will be issued the same day.

7. How long must I wait after acquiring my license?: There is a 72-hour waiting period following the issuing of the license prior to the ceremony. If either party is active military the 72-hour waiting period is waived. Military identification is required at the time of application.

If a marriage ceremony has not been conducted before the 90th day after the license is issued, the marriage license expires. If the license expires before the marriage ceremony, a new license will have to be purchased.

8. What is the cost for obtaining a marriage license?: $71. If you take the Twogether in Texas pre-marital education course and present the appropriate certificate of completion the fee for the marriage license will be $11. To learn more about this program please go to the Twogether in Texas website.

9. What type of identification do I need to present in order to obtain a marriage license?: You must present a valid driver’s license, (i.e. certified birth certificate, state issued identification).

10. Do I have to have my Social Security Card?: No, you will need to only provide us the Social Security Number.

11. Do both parties have to be present at the same time license is purchased?: Yes. Both parties are required to be present when you are purchasing a marriage license.

12. Do I have to purchase a marriage license in the county in which I am getting married?: No, you may purchase your license anywhere within State of Texas and use it in any county of Texas.

13. Who can perform the ceremony?: View the list of options above in the blue margin for people who can officiate your wedding.
List of Officiates

14. How long does it take to get my original license back after I am married?: It depends on when the officiant returns the license to our office. Once our office is in receipt of the license it is placed in the mail the same business day.

15. What if an error is discovered on a marriage license that has been recorded?: If one or both parties to a marriage license discover an error on the recorded marriage license, both parties to the marriage shall execute a notarized affidavit (see Fees & Forms) stating the error. The County Clerk then files and records the notarized affidavit as an amendment to the marriage license.

16. Can I get a certified copy of my divorce decree?: No, you will need to contact McLennan County District Clerk’s Office located at
501 Washington Avenue
Waco, TX 76701
Phone: 254-757-5057