Midland County Marriage Records
Midland marriage records are held by the Midland County Clerk, which serves as the official record-keeper for all marriages in the county. If you need a marriage license, a certified copy of a marriage record, or want to search existing records, the Midland County Clerk is where you go. Midland is the county seat of Midland County, so the main clerk's office is located right in the city. Both the city and county share the same name, which makes this one of the more straightforward situations for finding your local clerk's office in Texas.
Midland Overview
Midland County Clerk Office
The Midland County Clerk's office handles marriage license applications, record lookups, certified copies, and the recording of marriage-related documents. Since Midland is the county seat, the main clerk's office is in the city. Both applicants must show up in person to apply for a license. The clerk's office is a good first call if you have questions about what to bring or what the current fees are.
The Midland County Clerk website at co.midland.tx.us has information on the office and available services. You can also call to ask about current hours and fee schedules before your visit.
| Office | Midland County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Midland, TX |
| Website | co.midland.tx.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The City of Midland handles municipal services, but marriage licensing and vital records are the county clerk's domain. Check the county's website for the most current address and phone number.
Requirements for a Marriage License
Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate issued within the past 10 years all satisfy this requirement. You also need your Social Security number.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Texas law no longer allows minors to marry even with parental consent unless a court has issued an order for general emancipation. This restriction has been in effect since 2017.
If you or your partner recently went through a divorce, a 30-day waiting period applies before remarriage under Family Code Section 2.009. If you divorced less than 30 days ago, you need to wait before applying. Bring your divorce decree to the clerk's office if this is your situation.
A license issued in Midland County is valid anywhere in Texas. You can have your ceremony in Midland or travel elsewhere in the state and the same license covers the event.
License Fees and the Waiting Period
Midland County charges $81 for a standard marriage license. If both applicants are Texas residents and complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program, you get a $60 discount. That brings the cost down to $21. The Twogether program is free to take and also waives the mandatory 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued.
Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour wait between the time the clerk issues the license and when the ceremony can take place. This is a state law that applies everywhere in Texas, not just Midland. The only way to waive it is the Twogether certificate. Present it at the time of application, not afterward.
The license expires 90 days after it is issued under Family Code Section 2.201. If your ceremony has not taken place within that window, the license expires and you must apply for a new one. After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the county clerk for recording.
Note: Certified copies of marriage records are available from the Midland County Clerk. For a statewide verification letter, contact Texas DSHS Vital Statistics at (888) 963-7111.
Searching Midland Marriage Records
The Midland County Clerk maintains marriage records for the county. To search for a specific record, visit the clerk's office in person or contact them by phone. Staff can look up records by the names of both parties and the approximate date. Certified copies are generally available the same day for in-person requests.
For marriages from 1966 forward, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide index. They can provide a verification letter confirming a marriage occurred for $20. Mail Form VS-142.9 to the Austin office, or order through Texas.gov online. Mail orders take six to eight weeks; walk-in service in Austin is typically same-day.
Historical records before 1966 are held exclusively by the county clerk. For genealogy research, FamilySearch has digitized portions of various Texas county marriage records and may have some Midland County data available for free searching.
Informal Marriage in Midland County
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. The three legal requirements are that both parties agree to be married, live together as spouses in Texas, and represent to others that they are married. No set time period of cohabitation is required. The marriage can be established from the start if all three elements are present.
Midland residents who want to formally document an informal marriage can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Midland County Clerk's office. This declaration becomes part of the county's official records. Once established, an informal marriage has the same legal weight as a ceremonial marriage. Both parties must divorce formally to end it.
Legal Help in Midland
Lone Star Legal Aid and West Texas Legal Services both operate in the Midland area and may assist income-qualifying residents with family law matters. The State Bar of Texas referral line is (800) 252-9690. You can search for attorneys in the Midland area at texasbar.com. Free guides and forms for marriage-related legal matters are available at TexasLawHelp.org and txcourts.gov/rules-forms.
The City of Midland handles municipal services, while the county clerk manages all marriage licensing and vital records functions.
For marriage licenses and records in Midland, contact the Midland County Clerk rather than any city office.
The Midland County Clerk website covers all official record services including marriage license applications.
The county website provides current information on services, hours, and how to get copies of marriage records in Midland.
Midland County Marriage Records
Midland is the county seat of Midland County. All marriage licenses and records for the city are part of the county's official system. For more details on the county's records, fees, and services, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities in West Texas with records pages: