Georgetown Marriage Records
Georgetown marriage records are kept by the Williamson County Clerk, whose office sits right on Georgetown Square in the heart of the city. The County Clerk issues all marriage licenses for Georgetown and the rest of Williamson County. If you need to apply for a license, get a certified copy of a marriage record, or look up a historic marriage, the County Clerk's office is your starting point. Records in Williamson County go back to 1848. Both parties must appear in person to apply, and the office is open weekdays without an appointment for most standard requests.
Georgetown Overview
Williamson County Clerk Marriage Services
The Williamson County Clerk's office is the only place in Georgetown where you can get a marriage license. County Clerk Nancy E. Rister oversees the office at 405 Martin Luther King Jr Street on the Georgetown Square. The historic courthouse location adds something to the process. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours and no appointment is needed for a marriage license application.
| Office | Williamson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 405 Martin Luther King Jr Street Georgetown Square, Georgetown, TX |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | wilco.org |
Parking around the square is metered. Several free parking areas are within a few blocks of the courthouse. The building has ADA-compliant access. The clerk accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. Call ahead if you need to confirm which forms of payment are accepted for your specific transaction.
The office handles more than just marriage licenses. They maintain land records, probate filings, and civil court documents. For marriage records specifically, the clerk keeps everything from license applications through the final recorded license after the ceremony. Divorce records are held by the District Clerk, not the County Clerk.
Getting a Marriage License in Georgetown
Both applicants must show up together in person. You cannot send someone else in your place. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, the clerk verifies identity, takes the fee, and issues the license on the spot.
Georgetown residents benefit from the Twogether in Texas premarital education program. Completing the free course before you visit the clerk's office can reduce your license fee by $60. The program also waives the standard 72-hour waiting period. That means you can get your license and have your ceremony the same day. Find a provider near Georgetown at twogetherintexas.com or call 2-1-1.
Once the clerk issues your license, it is valid for 90 days under Texas Family Code § 2.201. The standard 72-hour waiting period under § 2.204 begins at the time of issuance. So plan around that window unless you complete the premarital course. After your ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the County Clerk within 30 days for recording.
If one applicant cannot appear in person, Texas Family Code Sections 2.006 and 2.007 allow for an Affidavit of Absent Applicant in limited circumstances. Ask the clerk's office if this applies to your situation before relying on it.
Searching Georgetown Marriage Records
Williamson County marriage records date back to 1848. That is a long run of records covering more than 175 years of marriages in the Georgetown area. For older genealogy research, FamilySearch has indexed Texas county marriage records including Williamson County for the period before 1965. The Texas Marriage Index on Ancestry.com also covers this county through 2017.
For records from 1966 forward, the Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide marriage index. DSHS can provide a verification letter confirming a marriage occurred, but they do not issue certified copies. Their fee is $20. Call (888) 963-7111 or use their online portal. Certified copies must come from the Williamson County Clerk directly.
The Williamson County marriage and divorce records page explains what information is available from the clerk. A marriage record shows the parties who applied, the date they applied, and the date of marriage. It does not include divorce information. For divorce records, contact the Williamson County District Clerk separately.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Only the Williamson County Clerk can issue a certified copy of a marriage license from this county. The state DSHS office cannot. To get a certified copy in Georgetown, go to the County Clerk's office on the square with your photo ID, the names of both parties, and the approximate date of marriage. The clerk will search the records and provide a certified copy for a fee.
Requests by mail are also accepted. Send a written request with the names of both parties, the marriage date, a copy of your photo ID, and payment. Mail it to the Williamson County Clerk's office at the Georgetown Square address. Processing times for mail requests vary. In-person requests are typically filled the same day.
Note: A certified copy is a legal document. It is what you need for name changes, insurance updates, immigration filings, and other official purposes. An uncertified copy will not work for most of those needs.
Informal Marriage in Williamson County
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code § 2.401. To have a valid informal marriage, both parties must agree to be married, live together in Texas as spouses, and tell others they are married. No ceremony is needed. All three conditions must be true at the same time.
Georgetown couples can formalize an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Williamson County Clerk's office. This gives you a written record. Once filed, it is treated as a public document and can be copied like any other marriage record. An informal marriage in Texas has the same legal force as a formal one. Property rights apply. You must go through a full divorce to end it. The informal declaration does not make it easier to dissolve the marriage later.
Legal Help in Georgetown
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Central Texas and provides free legal help to qualifying residents. They can answer questions about family law, marriage-related documents, and more. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a private attorney for family law matters. Call (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and court forms are free at texaslawhelp.org. These resources cover marriage licenses, name changes after marriage, and related topics.
The Williamson County Clerk's office on Georgetown Square issues marriage licenses and maintains all official marriage records for the county.
The office handles applications, certified copy requests, and informal marriage declarations for Georgetown and all of Williamson County.
The Williamson County main portal connects to all county services including the Clerk's office, court information, and public record searches.
Use the county portal to find office hours, locations, and any online services for marriage license applications or record requests.
Williamson County Marriage Records
Georgetown is the county seat of Williamson County. All marriage licenses for Georgetown residents are issued by the Williamson County Clerk. For a full overview of county-wide services, office details, fees, and record search options, visit the Williamson County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Georgetown with marriage record pages: