Tyler Marriage Records
Tyler marriage records are kept by the Smith County Clerk, which issues all marriage licenses and maintains official marriage documentation for Tyler and the rest of Smith County. Tyler is the county seat, so the Smith County Clerk's office is located right in the city at 200 East Ferguson Street. Marriage records in Smith County date all the way back to 1846, giving the office a deep historical archive for research and certified copy requests alike.
Tyler Overview
Smith County Clerk Marriage Services
The Smith County Clerk handles all marriage license applications for Tyler residents. County Clerk Karen Phillips runs the office at 200 East Ferguson Street, Suite 300. Both applicants must appear together in person at the same visit. You cannot apply on separate days or send one person alone.
| Office | Smith County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | Karen Phillips |
| Address | 200 East Ferguson Street, Suite 300 Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-4670 |
| Fax | (903) 590-4689 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1018, Tyler, TX 75710 |
| Website | smith-county.com |
| Historical Records | Marriage records from 1846 |
The Smith County Clerk's website has current hours and guidance on what to bring when applying for a marriage license. Since Tyler is the county seat, the office is easily accessible to residents throughout the city and surrounding Smith County communities.
Certified copies of marriage licenses from Smith County cost $21.00 for the first copy and $11.00 for each additional copy purchased at the same time. This is standard under Texas law, and you need to pay when you request the copies in person or by mail.
Getting a Marriage License in Tyler
Texas law requires both applicants to appear at the clerk's office at the same time. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both must present valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all qualify. You also need to provide your Social Security number verbally to the clerk.
The standard fee in Smith County is $81.00, payable in cash. Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay only $21.00 at the time of application. That's a $60 savings. Classes are offered throughout the Tyler area. Find a local provider at twogetherintexas.com. The course is entirely free and can be completed before you go to the courthouse.
Once the license is issued, a 72-hour waiting period begins under Texas Family Code § 2.204. The ceremony cannot take place until this period ends. Your license stays valid for 90 days under § 2.201. Completing Twogether in Texas also waives the 72-hour waiting period. After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to return the signed license to the Smith County Clerk.
Searching Tyler Marriage Records
Smith County marriage records go back to 1846. The county clerk holds all of these and assists with in-person searches. For genealogy and historical research, FamilySearch has indexed many early Smith County marriage records and makes them available free of charge online.
The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 forward. They can issue a verification letter confirming a marriage took place, but not a certified copy. Contact DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or by phone at (888) 963-7111. The verification fee is $20.00. This is a quick way to confirm a marriage before ordering the actual certified document from the county.
For certified copies of Tyler area marriage licenses, go through the Smith County Clerk. You can request them in person, by mail to P.O. Box 1018, Tyler, TX 75710, or through VitalChek online. Mail requests should include names of both parties, date of marriage, a copy of your ID, and the appropriate fee.
Certified Copies of Tyler Marriage Records
Smith County Clerk issues certified copies at $21.00 for the first copy and $11.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These prices are set by state law and apply countywide. Certified copies have a raised seal and official signature and are accepted for legal name changes, government filings, insurance claims, and other formal purposes.
In-person requests at 200 East Ferguson Street are typically handled the same day. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1018, Tyler, TX 75710. Include complete information about both parties and the marriage date, a legible copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Call (903) 590-4670 to confirm processing times if you need the copy by a certain date.
Informal Marriage in Smith County
Texas allows informal marriage, commonly called common-law marriage, under Texas Family Code § 2.401. Three elements must all exist at once: both people agree to be married, they live together in Texas as a married couple, and they tell others they are married. All three must be present. No ceremony is needed, and there is no minimum time requirement.
Tyler couples can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Smith County Clerk's office. This written record is the clearest evidence of the marriage. Once an informal marriage is established in Texas, it has the same legal weight as a formal marriage. Community property rules apply. You must go through a formal divorce to end it.
Legal Help for Tyler Residents
Lone Star Legal Aid covers the Tyler and East Texas area and provides free legal help for income-qualifying residents on family law matters. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org.
The State Bar of Texas referral service is available at (800) 252-9690 or at texasbar.com. Free self-help guides and court forms for Texas residents are at texaslawhelp.org.
The Smith County Clerk's office in Tyler serves as the official source for marriage licenses, certified copies, and marriage record searches for all of Smith County.
The clerk's office at 200 East Ferguson Street, Suite 300 handles both current applications and historical record requests, with marriage records dating back to 1846.
Smith County Marriage Records
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County. All marriage licenses for Tyler residents are issued and recorded by the Smith County Clerk. Visit the county page for full details on services and how to access records.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Tyler with marriage record pages: