Garland Marriage Records
Garland marriage records are handled by the Dallas County Clerk, the office that issues all marriage licenses and maintains official vital records for Garland and all of Dallas County. To search Garland marriage records, apply for a new license, or get a certified copy of a license for legal purposes, the Dallas County Clerk is the right place. Garland residents use the same county clerk system as Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, and other Dallas County cities. This page covers the license process, how to find records, and where to get help in the Garland area.
Garland Overview
Dallas County Clerk for Garland Residents
Garland is in Dallas County, and the Dallas County Clerk is the official office for all marriage licenses and records. The clerk is located at 509 Main Street in downtown Dallas. The Marriage Division handles license applications, certified copy requests, and informal marriage declarations. Both applicants must appear in person at the same time. No mail-in applications exist for new licenses.
The Dallas County Clerk handles one of the largest volumes of marriage license applications in Texas. Dallas County has kept marriage records since 1846. The office at 509 Main Street processes new applications, records returned licenses, and issues certified copies on an ongoing basis.
| Office | Dallas County Clerk - Marriage Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 509 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202-3507 |
| Marriage Division | (214) 653-7478 |
| Main Phone | (214) 653-7131 |
| Website | dallascounty.org/departments/countyclerk |
Dallas County also has a Twogether in Texas discount location at Renaissance Tower, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 2100A, Dallas, TX 75270. Couples who complete the premarital education course and present their certificate there pay a reduced license fee. This is open to all Dallas County residents, including those from Garland.
How to Get a Marriage License in Garland
Both applicants must go to the Dallas County Clerk's office together. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. A driver's license, passport, certified birth certificate issued within the past 10 years, or military ID will work. Bring cash for the license fee. The clerk issues the license on the spot once all requirements are met.
The standard fee in Dallas County is $81 to $82. If you complete the Twogether in Texas course beforehand and bring the certificate, the fee drops to about $21 to $22. That is a $60 savings. The Twogether program is free. Completing it also waives the 72-hour waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. The certificate must be presented when you apply. You cannot bring it in later to get the discount.
Without the Twogether waiver, Texas law requires a 72-hour wait before you can hold your ceremony. This is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The 72-hour clock starts at issuance of the license. The license is then valid for 90 days under Section 2.201. You must use it within that window. If it expires, you apply again and pay again. After your ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Dallas County Clerk within 30 days to create the official record.
Searching Garland Marriage Records
Dallas County marriage records go back to 1846. The County Clerk's office can help with in-person searches. Bring the names of both parties and an approximate date. Staff can look up records and tell you what is in the system. For records not digitized, older paper indexes at the clerk's office may be needed. The Dallas County website may also have online search tools for recorded documents.
The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 to present. DSHS can issue a verification letter for $20 showing a marriage is on file. They do not issue certified copies. A certified copy of a Garland marriage license must come from the Dallas County Clerk. For genealogical research on older records, FamilySearch and the Library of Congress Texas local history resources are good places to start after you exhaust the county clerk's holdings.
Certified Copies of Garland Marriage Licenses
Certified copies are available only from the Dallas County Clerk. DSHS and any other state office cannot certify marriage licenses under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194. You need a certified copy for name changes, government-issued IDs, insurance, and other legal purposes. The county is the only source.
Go to 509 Main Street in person. Bring your photo ID and the names and approximate marriage date. In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. Mail requests are also accepted: send a written request with full names, marriage date, a photo ID copy, and payment. Contact (214) 653-7131 for the current copy fee and mailing address. Mail requests take several weeks, so plan accordingly if time matters.
Informal Marriage for Garland Couples
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. To be valid, three elements must all exist: both parties agreed to be married, they lived together as a couple in Texas, and they represented to others that they are married. No ceremony is required. All three must be true at the same time.
Garland couples can register an informal marriage by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Dallas County Clerk's office. This creates a formal written record. Once filed, the marriage has the same legal effect as a ceremonial one. Community property rights apply, and a formal divorce is required to end it. If you have questions about what informal marriage means for your situation, talking to a family law attorney before filing is a good idea.
Legal Help in the Garland Area
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Dallas County and provides free legal help to income-qualifying residents including those in Garland. Their services cover family law matters. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org. Free self-help guides and court forms are available at texaslawhelp.org. For private attorney referrals, the State Bar of Texas can help. Call (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com.
The City of Garland official website provides city services and local information, though marriage records and licenses for Garland residents are processed through Dallas County.
Marriage license applications and certified copy requests for Garland residents go through the Dallas County Clerk at 509 Main Street in Dallas, not through city offices.
Dallas County Marriage Records
Garland is in Dallas County. All marriage licenses for Garland residents are issued and recorded by the Dallas County Clerk. For a full overview of services, locations, fees, and record search options, visit the Dallas County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Garland with marriage record pages: