Travis County, Texas
Marriage License Requirements

Office Location and Hours

Marriage licenses in Travis County are issued by the Travis County Clerk at 5501 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751 — note this is not the downtown courthouse. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Travis County uniquely processes a large number of same-sex marriage applications and is known for having efficiently trained staff for non-traditional family situations. The office also handles an online pre-application system similar to Harris County.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the following to the Travis County Clerk's office:

• Valid government-issued photo ID: State driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government photo ID. Must not be expired.
• Social Security Number: Required on the application. Physical card not required — just know the number.
• Prior marriage documentation: If either party was previously married, be prepared to provide the date and state the marriage ended. For divorces within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.

Fee — $82

The Travis County marriage license fee is $82. Accepted payment methods typically include cash, credit/debit card, and money order. Personal checks are not accepted at most county clerk offices. Call ahead to confirm current payment options.

Waiting Period — 72 hours (waivable)

The waiting period in Travis County is 72 hours (waivable). Plan your license application date carefully relative to your ceremony date. See our complete waiting periods guide for more detail on this state's rules and how to request a waiver if applicable.

License Validity — 90 days

Your Travis County marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Texas. If your ceremony falls outside this window, the license expires and you must reapply. Use our expiration calculator to find your exact expiration date.

After the Ceremony

Your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the Travis County Clerk within the timeframe required by Texas law. The clerk then records it as a permanent public record. Certified copies of the marriage certificate can be ordered from the clerk's office after recording — typically available 2–4 weeks after the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Visit to the Texas County Clerk

The Texas County Clerk handles marriage license applications for Travis County. Texas issues licenses through the county clerk. The standard fee is $82, reduced to $22 for couples who complete a state-approved 8-hour premarital education course and present the certificate at application.

Texas's 72-hour waiting period can be waived by a county or district judge at the courthouse — ask the district clerk about the waiver procedure after receiving your license. Waivers cost $5–$25 and are routinely granted for scheduling reasons.

Step-by-Step: Application to Certified Copies

Here is the complete sequence for a Travis County marriage license, from the day you apply through receiving certified copies for name changes:

1. Gather documents: Both parties need valid, unexpired photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, have the divorce date and state ready (bring a certified decree if divorced within the past 6 months).
2. Visit the office: Both parties appear together at the Texas County Clerk. The application takes 15–25 minutes. Pay the $82 (or $22 with premarital course) fee.
3. License issued: You receive a physical paper marriage license. Keep it safe — it is the document your officiant will sign after the ceremony.
4. Waiting period: 72 hours (waivable by judge) from the moment of issuance. Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
5. Ceremony anywhere in Texas: Your license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Texas within the 90 days validity window. Your officiant signs immediately after the ceremony.
6. Return the license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by Texas law (typically 10–30 days). Confirm responsibility — you or your officiant.
7. Order certified copies: After the marriage is recorded (2–4 weeks post-ceremony), order certified copies from the Texas County Clerk or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
8. Name changes: Use certified copies for Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. Start with Social Security first — other agencies verify against SSA records. See our name change guide for the complete sequence.