Search San Antonio Marriage Records
San Antonio marriage records are kept by the Bexar County Clerk, which issues all marriage licenses and maintains official records for ceremonies performed in Bexar County. Whether you need to search existing San Antonio marriage records, apply for a new license, or get a certified copy, the Bexar County Clerk's office is your starting point. The county serves over 2 million residents and provides an online public records search where you can find marriage documents, view uncertified copies, and confirm record details without leaving your home.
San Antonio Overview
Bexar County Clerk - Marriage Division
The Bexar County Clerk handles marriage licenses for all of San Antonio and surrounding Bexar County communities. Both applicants must appear in person together. You need valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The clerk's office is located at the Paul Elizondo Tower in downtown San Antonio.
| Office | Bexar County Clerk - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | Paul Elizondo Tower 101 W. Nueva Street, Suite 217 San Antonio, TX 78205 |
| Phone | (210) 335-2216 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | bexar.org |
Bexar County offers one of the most convenient online records systems in Texas. The Bexar County Public Record Search is free to use. From the search portal, you can select "Marriage" from the document type dropdown, enter party names, and set a date range. Uncertified copies can be printed directly from the site. This is a good option for researching existing records before heading to the office.
Marriage License Process in San Antonio
Applying for a marriage license in San Antonio follows Texas state law under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Both applicants appear together, present valid government-issued photo ID, and provide their Social Security numbers. The clerk verifies the information, collects the fee, and issues the license on the spot.
The standard Bexar County marriage license fee is $82.00. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program, the fee drops to $22.00. That's a $60 discount that comes from presenting a valid completion certificate at the time of application. The certificate must be no more than one year old. You can find a program provider near San Antonio at twogetherintexas.com. The program is free and covers communication, finances, and relationship skills.
After the clerk issues the license, you must wait 72 hours before the ceremony can take place. This waiting period is required by Texas Family Code § 2.204. Completing the Twogether in Texas course also waives this waiting period. The license expires after 90 days under § 2.201. If you don't marry within 90 days, you'll need to apply again and pay the fee again.
The person who performs the ceremony must return the signed license to the Bexar County Clerk within 30 days. This step is what creates the official marriage record in county files.
Searching Bexar County Marriage Records
Bexar County has one of the better online search tools for marriage records in Texas. The county's official records portal lets you search by name across multiple document types including marriage licenses, land records, and more. The search is free and returns results quickly. You can view the document index and print uncertified copies from the website.
Searchable document types in the system include Assumed Names, Commissioners Court minutes, Foreclosures, Land Records, Marriage, Miscellaneous, Personal Property, Plats, and Spanish Archives. The Spanish Archives section contains older historical records relevant to San Antonio's deep history as a Spanish colonial city. Some genealogy researchers find records going back to the early 19th century in those files.
For certified copies, you must contact the clerk's office. You can request in person, by mail, or through an authorized service. State law says only the county where the license was issued can provide a certified copy. For San Antonio marriages, that means Bexar County only. The Texas DSHS office in Austin provides verification letters but not certified copies. Reach DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or (888) 963-7111 for state-level verifications at $20.00 per request.
Informal Marriage in Bexar County
Texas law under Texas Family Code § 2.401 allows couples to establish an informal marriage, also called common-law marriage. Three things must be true: both parties agree to be married, they live together in Texas as spouses, and they represent to others that they are married. No ceremony is required.
San Antonio couples can also file a Declaration of Informal Marriage with the Bexar County Clerk. This creates an official written record and avoids future disputes about whether the marriage exists. The declaration is filed the same way any other document is filed with the clerk. Once recorded, it is searchable through the county's online portal.
An informal marriage carries the same legal rights and obligations as a ceremonial one. Property acquired during the marriage is community property. You must divorce formally to end the relationship. Courts in Texas do recognize informal marriages, but proving one without a signed declaration can be difficult.
The Bexar County official website provides access to marriage license services, vital records, and the county's public records search system.
The county site links to the clerk's office, online record search, and fee schedules for marriage licenses and certified copies.
The Bexar County Public Record Searches portal offers free online searching of marriage records and other official documents.
Uncertified copies can be viewed and printed directly from the portal. The marriage record category includes licenses and declarations of informal marriage going back many years.
Legal Help in San Antonio
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas serves the San Antonio region and provides free family law assistance to qualifying residents. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is available at (800) 252-9690. You can also search the attorney directory at texasbar.com. For self-help guides and court forms, visit texaslawhelp.org.
San Antonio also has a Bexar County Law Library open to the public at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center. The library has legal references, form packets, and staff who can direct you to the right resources even if they cannot give legal advice.
Bexar County Marriage Records
San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County. The Bexar County Clerk issues all marriage licenses and keeps the official record. For a full breakdown of county services, search tools, and record access, see the Bexar County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near San Antonio with marriage record pages: