Abilene Marriage Records
Abilene marriage records are kept and issued by the Taylor County Clerk, which handles all marriage licenses for Abilene and the rest of Taylor County. The clerk's office is conveniently located in Abilene itself since Abilene is the county seat. If you need to find an Abilene marriage record, apply for a new license, or get a certified copy of a past one, the Taylor County Clerk at 300 Oak Street is the place to go. Marriage records in Taylor County go back to 1878, so the office also holds a significant collection of historical records for genealogy and research purposes.
Abilene Overview
Taylor County Clerk Marriage Services
The Taylor County Clerk handles all marriage license applications for Abilene. Abilene is the county seat, so the clerk's office is right in the city. County Clerk Larry G. Bevill's office is at 300 Oak Street, Suite 100. Both applicants must appear in person at the same visit. You cannot apply on separate days.
| Office | Taylor County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | Larry G. Bevill |
| Address | 300 Oak Street, Suite 100 Abilene, TX 79602 |
| Phone | (325) 674-1202 / (325) 674-1205 |
| Fax | (325) 674-1279 |
| Website | taylorcountytexas.org |
| Historical Records | Marriage records from 1878 |
Since Abilene is the Taylor County seat, residents don't have to travel far to take care of marriage license business. The clerk's office is centrally located and handles marriage applications, certified copy requests, informal marriage declarations, and general records inquiries.
The Taylor County Clerk's website has current office hours and contact information. Call ahead to confirm hours before your visit, especially around state holidays when hours may differ.
Getting a Marriage License in Abilene
Both applicants must appear together in person at the Taylor County Clerk's office. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Texas accepts a driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID, or a certified birth certificate issued within the past ten years. Both parties also need to verbally provide their Social Security numbers to the clerk.
The standard marriage license fee is $81.00 under Texas law. Cash is typically required. Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay only $21.00. The program is free and available throughout the Abilene area. Find a class at twogetherintexas.com. That $60 savings is worth a few hours of time for most couples.
Once the clerk issues the license, a 72-hour waiting period starts under Texas Family Code § 2.204. You cannot hold the ceremony until that time has passed. The license stays valid for 90 days from the issue date. Completing the Twogether in Texas course waives the waiting period entirely. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Taylor County Clerk within 30 days for it to become an official record.
Search Abilene Marriage Records
Taylor County marriage records go back to 1878. The county clerk's office holds these records and can assist with searches in person. For historical records, FamilySearch has digitized many older Taylor County marriage documents and makes them available for free online searching.
The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of all marriages in Texas from 1966 forward. They can provide a verification letter confirming that a marriage took place, but they do not issue certified copies. Contact them at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or by phone at (888) 963-7111. The verification fee is $20.00 per request.
Certified copies of Abilene marriage licenses must come from the Taylor County Clerk. You can request them in person at 300 Oak Street, or by mail. For online ordering, VitalChek offers authorized ordering services for Texas county vital records. The Texas State Library and Archives at tsl.texas.gov may hold some historical Taylor County records predating the county clerk system.
Certified Copies of Abilene Marriage Records
Only the Taylor County Clerk can provide a certified copy of a marriage license issued in Taylor County. Certified copies are legally recognized for name changes, legal proceedings, financial institutions, and government documents. Uncertified printouts from online searches cannot be used for these purposes.
In-person requests at the Abilene courthouse are the fastest way to get a certified copy. For mail requests, send a written request to Taylor County Clerk, 300 Oak Street, Suite 100, Abilene, TX 79602. Include the full names of both parties, approximate date of marriage, a copy of your photo ID, and payment for the applicable fee. Processing times for mail requests are longer than walk-in visits.
Informal Marriage in Taylor County
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code § 2.401. Three elements must all be present: agreement to be married, living together in Texas as a married couple, and representing to others that you are married. All three must exist at the same time for the marriage to be established. There is no minimum time requirement.
Abilene couples can register an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Taylor County Clerk's office. This creates a written official record, which is the clearest way to prove the marriage exists. An informal marriage has full legal effect under Texas law, including community property rights. You must go through a formal divorce to end it.
Legal Help for Abilene Residents
West Texas Legal Services provides free legal assistance for income-qualifying residents in the Abilene area. They can help with family law matters. The State Bar of Texas referral line is (800) 252-9690 or you can search at texasbar.com.
Self-help guides and court forms are available at no cost at texaslawhelp.org. The site has plain-language guides for family law matters including marriage license applications and common law marriage questions.
The City of Abilene is the Taylor County seat, which means the county clerk's office is located right in the city and serves all Abilene residents directly.
The Taylor County Clerk at 300 Oak Street handles marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and informal marriage declarations for all Abilene area residents.
The Taylor County Clerk's website provides contact information and guidance on what to bring when applying for a marriage license in Abilene.
Marriage records in Taylor County go back to 1878, making this office a useful resource for historical and genealogical research as well as current license needs.
Taylor County Marriage Records
Abilene is the county seat of Taylor County. All marriage licenses for Abilene residents are issued and recorded by the Taylor County Clerk. Visit the county page for full details on services, fees, and historical records.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Abilene with marriage record pages: