College Station Marriage Records
College Station marriage records are issued and maintained by the Brazos County Clerk, which handles all marriage licenses for residents of College Station and the Bryan-College Station area. The clerk's office is in Bryan, the county seat, just a short drive from College Station. Whether you need to apply for a new license, look up an existing record, or get a certified copy of a past marriage license, the Brazos County Clerk at 300 East 26th Street in Bryan is the office to contact.
College Station Overview
Brazos County Clerk Marriage Services
The Brazos County Clerk issues all marriage licenses for College Station residents. The main office is in Bryan at 300 East 26th Street. Both applicants must appear together in person. Neither can send the other alone to apply. The office handles the full range of marriage services including new applications, certified copy requests, and informal marriage declarations.
| Office | Brazos County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 East 26th Street, Suite 120 Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4128 |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov |
The Brazos County website has full details on office hours and what to bring. Bryan and College Station are treated as a single metro area, and most county services are in Bryan. The drive from College Station to the Bryan courthouse is typically under 15 minutes.
One important note specific to Brazos County: death records occurring within the Bryan and College Station city limits from 2019 forward are kept by the City Secretary, not the County Clerk. This applies only to death records, not marriage records. All marriage records remain with the county clerk.
Getting a Marriage License in College Station
Texas law requires both applicants to appear in person at the county clerk's office at the same time. You need a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses, passports, state ID cards, military IDs, and certified birth certificates (issued within the past ten years) are all acceptable. Social Security numbers are required and given verbally.
Brazos County charges $81.00 for the standard marriage license, payable in cash. With the free Twogether in Texas premarital education certificate, the fee drops to $21.00. That's a $60 savings for completing a free course. Find a class in the Bryan-College Station area at twogetherintexas.com. The course also covers communication, finances, and relationship skills, not just legal requirements.
Under Texas Family Code § 2.204, a 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. The clock starts when the clerk issues it, not when you apply online. The Twogether in Texas certificate waives this period. Your license is valid for 90 days under § 2.201. After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to return the completed license to the Brazos County Clerk for recording.
Searching College Station Marriage Records
Brazos County marriage records are maintained by the county clerk. The county's seat in Bryan handles all archived marriage records as well as current ones. For older genealogical records, FamilySearch has indexed many Brazos County historical records that can be searched at no cost.
The Texas DSHS maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 to present. They issue verification letters only, not certified copies. Reach them at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (888) 963-7111. The verification fee is $20.00. This is useful for confirming a marriage took place without needing an official document.
For a certified copy of a College Station marriage license, contact the Brazos County Clerk in Bryan. You can request in person or by mail, or use VitalChek for online ordering. VitalChek works directly with Texas county clerk offices and can process certified copy requests remotely.
Note: The Texas State Library and Archives at tsl.texas.gov holds historical records from the Republic of Texas era and early statehood that may predate county-level records.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Only the Brazos County Clerk can issue a certified copy of a marriage license filed in Brazos County. Certified copies carry a raised seal and official signature. They are accepted for legal name changes, government documents, insurance, and other formal uses. Uncertified copies from online portals or general record searches do not serve these purposes.
To request in person, visit the county clerk at 300 East 26th Street, Suite 120, Bryan, TX 77803. For mail requests, include the names of both parties, the date of marriage, a copy of your photo ID, and the appropriate fee. Call (979) 361-4128 to confirm current copy fees before mailing.
Informal Marriage in Brazos County
Texas law allows informal (common law) marriage under Texas Family Code § 2.401. Three elements must all exist at the same time: both parties agree to be married, live together in Texas as a couple, and represent to others that they are married. No time minimum applies. The seven-year myth is false under Texas law.
College Station residents can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Brazos County Clerk's office in Bryan. This written record is the most reliable way to document the marriage. An informal marriage in Texas carries the same legal effect as a formal ceremonial one. Community property rights apply, and a formal divorce is required to end it.
Legal Resources for College Station Residents
Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Bryan-College Station area and offers free legal assistance for qualifying residents on family law matters. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org.
The State Bar of Texas referral service is reachable at (800) 252-9690 or online at texasbar.com. Free self-help legal guides for Texas residents are at texaslawhelp.org, including guides on applying for a marriage license and informal marriage.
The City of College Station is served by the Brazos County Clerk in Bryan for all marriage license applications and record-keeping.
Residents of College Station travel to Bryan to apply for a marriage license at the Brazos County Clerk's office on East 26th Street.
The Brazos County Clerk's website provides details on fees, required documents, and office hours for marriage license applications.
The county clerk's office is the official source for marriage licenses, certified copy requests, and formal marriage records for the Bryan-College Station metro area.
Brazos County Marriage Records
College Station is in Brazos County. All marriage licenses for College Station residents are issued and recorded by the Brazos County Clerk. For full details on office locations, fees, and records access, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near College Station with marriage record pages: