Search Carrollton Marriage Records
Carrollton marriage records are issued and maintained by the Dallas County Clerk, which handles all marriage licenses for residents of Carrollton and the broader Dallas County area. Whether you need to apply for a new license, look up an existing record, or get a certified copy of a past marriage, the Dallas County Clerk is the right office to contact. Carrollton sits primarily in Dallas County, so the clerk's main office and branch locations in Dallas are the go-to source for all marriage license matters for most Carrollton residents. The county has kept marriage records since 1846, giving you deep historical access as well.
Carrollton Overview
Dallas County Clerk Marriage Services
The Dallas County Clerk handles marriage license issuance for Carrollton residents. The main office is in downtown Dallas, and the county also operates branch locations across Dallas County. The marriage division line is (214) 653-7478. Both applicants must appear in person together at the same visit.
| Office | Dallas County Clerk - Marriage Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 509 Main Street Dallas, TX 75202-3507 |
| Main Phone | (214) 653-7131 |
| Marriage Division | (214) 653-7478 |
| Website | dallascounty.org |
| Historical Records | Marriage records from 1846 |
The Dallas County Clerk's office serves one of the largest counties in Texas. Multiple office locations are available throughout the county, so you don't always have to go downtown. Call the main number to ask about the branch location closest to Carrollton and confirm current hours before you go.
Note that Carrollton also extends slightly into Denton County and Collin County. If you live in the portion of Carrollton within a different county, your license would be issued by that county's clerk instead. Most of the city falls in Dallas County.
Getting a Marriage License in Carrollton
Both applicants must appear in person at the same time. You cannot apply separately. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Dallas County accepts a driver's license, passport, certified birth certificate issued within the past ten years, or military ID. Social Security numbers are required and given verbally to the clerk.
The standard fee in Dallas County is $81.00 to $82.00, payable in cash. If you apply online before your visit, there is an additional $10 processing fee. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course get a $60 discount and pay around $21.00. Find a class at twogetherintexas.com. The course is free and available throughout the Dallas area.
Under Texas Family Code § 2.204, there is a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before it becomes valid for use. Your license is then valid for 90 days under § 2.201. Completing the Twogether in Texas course also waives the 72-hour waiting period. After your ceremony, the person who performs it must send the signed license back to the Dallas County Clerk within 30 days.
Carrollton Marriage Records Search
Dallas County marriage records date back to 1846. The county clerk maintains these records, and many older ones have been digitized. Birth and death records in the county go back to 1903, and land and probate records also have deep historical archives.
The Dallas County public records portal allows online searching of recorded documents. You can look up records by name and view basic document indexes. For certified copies, you must contact the county clerk directly. Online searches give you enough to confirm whether a record exists, but official certified copies require an in-person or mail request.
The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide index of marriages from 1966 forward. They can issue a verification letter but not a certified copy. Reach them at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or by phone at (888) 963-7111. The verification fee is $20.00. For genealogy work, FamilySearch has digitized many early Dallas County marriage records going back to 1846.
Certified Copies of Carrollton Marriage Records
Only the Dallas County Clerk can issue a certified copy of a marriage license filed in Dallas County. You can order in person, by mail, or through VitalChek, which is an authorized ordering service for Dallas County records.
For mail requests, write to Dallas County Clerk, 509 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202-3507. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, a legible copy of your photo ID, and payment for the applicable fee. In-person requests at the clerk's office or a branch location are typically processed the same day.
Common Law Marriage in Dallas County
Texas recognizes informal marriage (common law) under Texas Family Code § 2.401. To have an informal marriage, both people must agree to be married, live together in Texas as spouses, and present themselves to others as married. All three elements must be in place at the same time. No ceremony is needed.
Carrollton couples can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Dallas County Clerk's office to create an official written record. This is the clearest way to document the marriage and is especially useful for legal and financial purposes. Once established, an informal marriage carries the same rights and obligations as a ceremonial marriage. A formal divorce is required to end it.
Dallas County keeps these declarations on file. You can request a copy through the same process used for any other marriage record.
Legal Help for Carrollton Residents
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas provides free legal services for income-qualifying residents in the Dallas area, including Carrollton. They handle family law matters. Visit lanwt.org for contact information and eligibility details.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service can connect you with a private attorney. Call (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and court forms are also available at texaslawhelp.org for those who want to handle things themselves.
The Dallas County Clerk's office issues all marriage licenses for Carrollton residents and maintains the official record of those marriages.
The office serves Dallas County residents from multiple locations, including the main downtown office and branches around the county.
Dallas County Marriage Records
Carrollton is primarily in Dallas County. Marriage licenses for most Carrollton residents are issued by the Dallas County Clerk. Visit the county page for full details on office locations, fees, and how to search records.
Nearby Cities
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