Bryan Texas Marriage Records
Bryan marriage records are kept by the Brazos County Clerk, located in downtown Bryan at 300 East 26th Street. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for Bryan and the rest of Brazos County, handles certified copy requests, and maintains official records going back to the county's formation in 1841. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a license, and the office accepts cash and credit cards but not personal checks. The Twogether in Texas program can reduce your license fee by $60 if you complete the free premarital education course first.
Bryan Overview
Brazos County Clerk - Marriage Services
The Brazos County Clerk's office in Bryan handles marriage licenses, probate filings, birth certificates, and real estate records. For marriage licenses, both applicants must appear together in person during regular business hours. The office is open five days a week and does not always close for the full lunch hour, but hours can vary. Call ahead if you plan to go mid-day.
| Office | Brazos County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 East 26th St., Ste. 120 Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4128 |
| Fax | (979) 361-4125 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov |
One note about Bryan specifically: as of January 1, 2019, death records for deaths that occur within Bryan city limits are kept by the City Secretary, not the County Clerk. Marriage records are not affected by this. Marriage licenses are still issued and kept by the Brazos County Clerk regardless of where in the county you live.
The clerk handles brand registrations, DD214 military discharge records, and probate filings in addition to vital records. The deed records for the county began in 1841, which is one of the older record sets in Texas. That historical depth extends to marriage records as well, with indexes going back to the county's earliest years.
How to Get a Marriage License in Bryan
Both parties must appear together at the clerk's office. You need a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Bring your Social Security number. If you were divorced, you must have been divorced at least 31 days before applying for a new license. If you are under 18, contact the clerk's office before your visit for guidance.
The standard Brazos County marriage license fee is $81. This must be paid in cash or by credit or debit card. The clerk does not accept checks of any kind for this transaction. The fee drops to $21 if you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program and bring your certificate. That is a $60 discount. The course is free and available in Bryan and the surrounding area.
Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the clerk issues your license before you can get married, under Texas Family Code § 2.204. Completing the Twogether in Texas course waives this waiting period. The license is valid for 90 days under § 2.201. If you do not get married within that window, you will need to apply again. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Brazos County Clerk within 30 days.
Searching Bryan Marriage Records
Brazos County marriage records go back to 1841. Historical indexes for the earliest records were published by the Texas Research Ramblers, covering Books A and B from June 1843 to January 1870. FamilySearch also has Texas county marriage indexes that include Brazos County for the period before 1965. These are free to access online at familysearch.org.
For records from 1966 to the present, the Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide marriage index. DSHS can provide a $20 verification letter but cannot issue certified copies. Call (888) 963-7111 or use their web portal. For a certified copy, contact the Brazos County Clerk directly.
Online ordering for certified copies is available at brazostx.permitium.com/rod. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license from Brazos County is $21. The Carnegie History Center in Bryan and the Cushing Memorial Library at Texas A&M University are also good resources for genealogy research related to Bryan and Brazos County marriage records. The Brazos Valley Genealogical Society is another local option.
Certified Copies of Bryan Marriage Records
A certified copy of a Bryan marriage record must come from the Brazos County Clerk. The fee is $21 per copy. Pay by cash or credit card at the office. No checks. You can also order online through the county's authorized vendor at brazostx.permitium.com/rod.
For in-person requests, bring a photo ID and know the names of both parties and the approximate marriage date. Mail requests are also an option. Contact the clerk at (979) 361-4128 to confirm current mail-in procedures and payment options before sending anything. The county's fees for documents and filings are also listed at brazoscountytx.gov/441/Documents-Filing-Fees.
Note: DSHS in Austin cannot provide certified copies of any county-issued marriage license. You must go through the issuing county's clerk office.
Informal Marriage in Brazos County
Texas allows informal marriage, sometimes called common-law marriage, under Texas Family Code § 2.401. The three required elements are: both parties agree to be married, they live together in Texas as spouses, and they represent to others that they are married. All three must be present at the same time.
Bryan couples can formalize an informal marriage by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage with the Brazos County Clerk. The clerk charges a separate fee for this declaration, and both parties must appear in person. The informal marriage declaration is $46 by cash or credit card. Once recorded, it is a public record. The legal effect is the same as a formal marriage. You still need a full divorce to end an informal marriage, even without a ceremony on record. Contact the clerk at (979) 361-4128 for details on the process.
The Brazos County Clerk's office in Bryan handles marriage licenses and maintains official county records going back to 1841.
The clerk serves as the official record keeper for Bryan and all of Brazos County, issuing licenses and maintaining certified copies for residents.
The Brazos County website connects you to clerk services, court information, and public records for the Bryan area.
Visit the county website for current office hours, fee schedules, and links to online ordering before your visit to the clerk's office.
Brazos County Marriage Records
Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County. All marriage licenses for Bryan residents are issued and recorded by the Brazos County Clerk. For a full overview of county services, office details, and record search options, visit the Brazos County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
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