Find Marriage Records in Temple

Temple marriage records are handled by the Bell County Clerk, which operates a local annex right in Temple at 205 East Central Ave. You can apply for a marriage license there, or visit the main Bell County office in nearby Belton. Bell County also has a third location in Killeen for added convenience. The clerk maintains all official marriage records for Temple and the rest of Bell County. Standard license fees apply, and the Twogether in Texas program can reduce that fee significantly for couples who complete the free premarital course.

Bell County Clerk - Temple Annex

Temple residents can get a marriage license at the Bell County Clerk's Temple Annex without driving to the county seat in Belton. The Temple location is open five days a week with a midday break. Arrive before 4:00 p.m. since the office stops taking new transactions at closing time. Both parties must appear together at the same visit.

The main Bell County office is in Belton at the Justice Courts Complex, 1201 Huey Road, Belton, Texas 76513. Hours there are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with transactions not accepted after 4:30 p.m. A Killeen location at 301 Priest Drive is also available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

After the ceremony, the signed marriage license must be returned to the Bell County Clerk at the main office at 1201 Huey Road, Belton. The person who performed the ceremony, or their designee, must deliver it by hand. Once recorded, pick up the original at that address. The clerk emails to notify you when it is ready.

Getting a Marriage License in Temple

Both applicants must appear in person together. You must be 18 years of age. Bring a valid, non-expired ID: driver's license, military ID, passport, or state ID. Note that a Matricula Consular card is not accepted. Foreign birth certificates must include a certified translation. You will also need your Social Security number.

Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a 72-hour waiting period applies between the time the clerk issues the license and when you can legally have the ceremony. The license is then valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you were divorced within the last 30 days, you must bring a court order that waives the 30-day restriction before you can get a new license.

Bell County's standard marriage license fee is $66.00. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course and bring their certificate to the clerk's office pay just $6.00. That is a $60 savings. The course also waives the 72-hour waiting period. The certificate must be presented at the time of application and must have been completed within one year. Call 2-1-1 to find a local course provider.

Military personnel under orders to a hostile fire zone have all fees waived. Bring official military orders. For an absent applicant situation, ask the clerk about the Affidavit of Absent Applicant under Texas Family Code Sections 2.006 and 2.007.

Searching Temple Marriage Records

Bell County marriage records are held by the County Clerk. For recent records, contact the vital statistics line at (254) 933-5165. The clerk can search by name and tell you what is available. For older records and genealogy research, FamilySearch has Texas county marriage indexes that include Bell County. The statewide index at Texas DSHS Vital Statistics covers marriages from 1966 to present.

DSHS can issue a verification letter confirming a marriage was recorded, but they do not provide certified copies. Their fee is $20. Call (888) 963-7111 or visit the DSHS website. If you need an actual certified copy for a legal purpose, only the Bell County Clerk can provide that. For online ordering of certified copies, Bell County uses a service at belltx.permitium.com/rod.

Informal marriage declarations are also searchable through the County Clerk. These are public records just like formal marriage licenses. The Bell County Clerk's office maintains all of these in a single system.

Getting Certified Copies in Temple

Certified copy fees in Bell County are $3.00 per copy. You can order online at belltx.permitium.com/rod, request in person at any Bell County Clerk location, or request by mail. Mail requests go to Bell County Clerk's Office, Attn: Vital Records, P.O. Box 480, Belton, Texas 76513.

Accepted payment methods: cash for in-person requests, cashier's check or money order for mail, and credit or debit card with a convenience fee. The clerk does not accept personal checks by mail. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person requests. Have the full names of both parties and the approximate date of marriage ready when you contact the office.

Note: Only the Bell County Clerk can certify copies of marriage licenses originally issued in Bell County. The state DSHS office cannot provide them.

Informal Marriage in Bell County

Texas law recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code § 2.401. Three things must all be true at the same time: both parties agree to be married, they live together in Texas as spouses, and they hold themselves out to others as married. No formal ceremony is required, but all three elements must be present.

Bell County couples can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at any clerk location to create a written record. Once signed and filed, this declaration is public. It has the same legal force as a formal marriage license. An informal marriage in Texas ends only through a formal divorce. If you want to document an informal marriage for legal purposes, filing the declaration is the clearest way to do it. Contact the clerk at vital.statistics@bellcounty.texas.gov with questions.

The Bell County Clerk's main office in Belton handles marriage licenses for all of Bell County, including Temple residents.

The clerk oversees vital records across three office locations: Belton, Temple, and Killeen, making it easy to reach a location without a long drive.

The Bell County marriage license page lists all office locations, hours, fees, and requirements for getting a marriage license in Temple or elsewhere in Bell County.

You can also access online ordering for certified copies through the Bell County website. Check the page for the most current fee information before visiting.

Bell County Marriage Records

Temple is located in Bell County. All marriage licenses for Temple residents are issued by the Bell County Clerk. For a complete overview of Bell County marriage services, all office locations, and record search options, visit the Bell County marriage records page.

View Bell County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near Temple with marriage record pages:

• Killeen
• Waco
• Georgetown
• Round Rock
• Austin