Find Lubbock Marriage Records
Lubbock marriage records are maintained by the Lubbock County Clerk, the office responsible for issuing marriage licenses and keeping official records for the entire county. Whether you need to search past Lubbock marriage records, apply for a new license, or get a certified copy of a marriage license, the County Clerk handles all of it. Lubbock is the county seat of Lubbock County, so the clerk's main office is right in the city. This page covers the process for getting a license, searching records, and finding legal help in the Lubbock area.
Lubbock Overview
Lubbock County Clerk Marriage Services
The Lubbock County Clerk is located in Lubbock, the county seat. The office issues marriage licenses, records official documents, and maintains vital records including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. If you are a Lubbock resident who needs to get a marriage license or request a certified copy of an existing one, this is the office you deal with.
Both applicants must appear together in person. You cannot send someone else or submit paperwork by mail to get a new license. Come prepared with your ID and Social Security numbers. The clerk's staff can answer questions about the process when you arrive.
| Office | Lubbock County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Lubbock, TX |
| Website | co.lubbock.tx.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours (call to confirm) |
The county website has contact details including phone numbers and current hours. Call ahead before visiting to confirm the office is open and to ask about any specific documentation you might need for your situation. Hours can change around holidays.
Getting a Marriage License in Lubbock
Texas law requires both applicants to appear in person at the same time at the County Clerk's office. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, each person must bring valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, certified birth certificate issued within the last 10 years, or military ID. You will also need your Social Security number. The clerk will check your IDs, collect the fee, and issue the license on the spot.
The standard fee in Lubbock County is around $81.00, paid in cash. If you and your partner complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course before your visit, the fee drops significantly. Couples who bring a valid Twogether certificate pay about $21.00 instead of $81.00. The course is free and available online and in-person through providers across Texas, including in the Lubbock area. Finishing the course also waives the 72-hour waiting period, which is a bigger benefit for many couples.
Without the Twogether certificate, there is a mandatory 72-hour wait between when the clerk issues the license and when your ceremony can happen. This is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The wait starts the moment the clerk issues the license, not when you leave the office. Active-duty military members deploying to hostile fire zones are exempt from the fee. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance under Section 2.201. After 90 days, it expires and you would need to reapply.
After the ceremony, the person who officiated must sign the license and return it to the Lubbock County Clerk within 30 days. That return creates the legal marriage record for Lubbock County.
How to Search Lubbock Marriage Records
Lubbock County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk. The office can help you search for a specific record either in person or by phone. For in-person searches, bring the names of both parties and any dates you know. The more information you have, the easier it is to find the right record.
The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide index of marriages from 1966 to present. DSHS can issue a verification letter for $20 confirming a marriage is on file. But they cannot issue certified copies. If you need a certified copy of a Lubbock marriage license, the Lubbock County Clerk is the only source. You can request in person, by mail, or through an authorized ordering service.
For older records and genealogy research, the county clerk holds the historical archive. FamilySearch has digitized some Texas county marriage records, and the Library of Congress provides guidance through their Texas local history and genealogy resources page. Check the county clerk first for anything modern, then look to genealogy databases for older or harder-to-locate records.
Certified Copies in Lubbock County
Only the Lubbock County Clerk can issue certified copies of Lubbock marriage licenses. The state office at DSHS does not certify individual licenses. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the state maintains a statewide index and can verify a marriage occurred, but certification must come from the county of record.
To get a certified copy, visit the clerk's office in person. Bring your photo ID and the names and approximate marriage date. Mail-in requests are also possible. Include a written request with full names, marriage date, a copy of your photo ID, and payment for the applicable fee. Contact the clerk's office before mailing to get current copy fees and the correct mailing address.
In-person requests are generally handled while you wait. Mail requests take longer, often several weeks. For time-sensitive needs, going to the office in person is the faster choice.
Note: Processing times for mail and online requests vary. Call the Lubbock County Clerk to get an estimate before mailing your request.
Informal Marriage in Lubbock
Texas law recognizes informal marriage, often called common-law marriage, under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. To have a valid informal marriage, three things must all be true: both parties agreed to be married, they lived together in Texas as a couple, and they told others they were married. No ceremony is required. All three elements must exist at the same time.
Lubbock County couples can make an informal marriage official by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office. This creates a written, recorded document proving the marriage. Once filed, an informal marriage carries the same legal rights and responsibilities as a ceremonial one. Community property rules apply. To end the marriage, you must go through a formal divorce. The county clerk keeps these declarations on file and you can request copies the same way you would any other marriage record.
Legal Resources in Lubbock
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves the Lubbock area and provides free legal help to residents who qualify based on income. Their services include family law matters like marriage, divorce, and name changes. Call or visit their website to see if you qualify and to find out how to apply. Self-help legal forms and guides are available at texaslawhelp.org at no cost.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a private attorney in the Lubbock area. Call (800) 252-9690 or search online at texasbar.com. For questions about the marriage license process itself, the Lubbock County Clerk's office is the most direct source of information. Staff can walk you through what to bring, what to expect, and how to get copies of records.
The Lubbock County Clerk's website provides information on marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and other vital record services for Lubbock residents.
The clerk's office in Lubbock handles all marriage records for the county and is the only office that can issue certified copies of Lubbock marriage licenses.
Lubbock County Marriage Records
Lubbock is the county seat of Lubbock County. All marriage licenses for Lubbock residents are issued and recorded by the Lubbock County Clerk. For a full overview of county-level services, office locations, fees, and search options, visit the Lubbock County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities in the region with marriage record pages: