Sunday, August 11, 2013

Texas Marriage License Available Online

By Claire Dowell


If you are looking for a place in the US to get married, then the best state to do so is in Texas. Texas is one of the few states that offer marriage license to non-residents. The state is also one of the few that allows common marriage and proxy marriage though it does not allow same gender marriages as well as relatives/cousin marriage. The Texas state provides access to Texas marriage records and one can request for a verification letter of marriage by contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistic of the state.

In getting your marriage license, the couple has to present a valid identification card. This includes government issued ids such as passport, social security, driver's license and even a certified copy of birth certificate. If you are located out of state or country, you can also get married in Texas by applying for a "proxy marriage". This means that any adult person, whether they are the couple's family, friends or relatives can apply on the person's behalf. The proxy must include an affidavit of absent form, proof of identity of the absentee and parental consent if the absentee getting married is under the age of 18. The waiting period that one should wait to conduct the marriage ceremony is 72 hours from the time a marriage certificate is issued. There are exceptions to the waiting period one of which is that one of the couple is in active duty and the second one is when they attend a marriage seminar.

The fee for the marriage license costs about $60 and other fees may also apply depending on the county one is set to marry at. However, this fee is waived if the couple attends a pre-marital education seminar. The seminar discusses what is important in marriage including handling conflict and improving communication between the couple. The workshop lasts about eight hours and is completed one year before one applies for a marriage license. Once the couple finishes the workshop, the $60 fee is waived and the seventy-two hour waiting period is waived as well.

Underage couples can also get married in Texas. The first thing that they have to do is to get a parental consent. The state provides a parental consent form that couples can download and have their parents sign. If one of the couple is divorced, he/she should present a certificate of divorce. Another way is for them to gain a court order allowing them to marry.

Common marriages or informal marriages are recognized by the State. The State of Texas declares the marriage to be an informal or common marriage if the couple has (a) signed a declaration under oath of their marriage (b) when they have lived as husband and wife and (c) represent themselves to other people as such.

The marriage license is valid for thirty days (30) and a copy for certificate of marriage is available by contacting the issuing county clerk office. Another way to obtain the marriage record is through applying online which is the most expedient way to do so.




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