Find Archer County Marriage Records

Archer County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Archer City, Texas. The clerk maintains marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and land records for the county. Marriage records in Archer County go back to 1881. If you need a marriage license or a certified copy of one on file, this page explains the fees, what to bring, and how to contact the clerk's office.

Archer County Clerk Contact Details

County Clerk Karren Winter handles marriage licenses and vital records for Archer County. The office is on East Walnut Street in Archer City. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. daily. Copies cannot be made after 4:30 p.m. even if the office is still open. Staff includes Chief Deputy Karen Aulds and Deputy Kristi Malone.

Archer County Marriage License Fees

Archer County has a detailed fee schedule for certified copies of marriage licenses. The fee breaks down into four components. The Clerk's Certification Fee is $5.00. The Page Fee is $2.00. The Courthouse Security Fee is $1.00. The Vital Statistics Preservation Fee is $1.00. The total for a certified copy of a marriage license from Archer County records is $9.00.

Archer County does not provide plain, uncertified copies of vital records. Certified copies only. If you need a replacement copy because the original was lost or damaged, a duplicate marriage license reprint costs $30.00 under Local Government Code Section 118.011(a)(7).

Standard license fees in Archer County are in the typical Texas range. The Twogether in Texas discount of $60 applies here as it does throughout the state. Complete the free premarital course at twogetherintexas.com and bring the certificate when you apply.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person at the Archer County Clerk's office in Archer City. Bring a valid photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, and passport are all accepted. You must know your Social Security number to provide it verbally to the clerk. Both parties sign the license application in front of the clerk.

The 72-hour waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 2.204 begins when the license is issued. The license is valid for 90 days. If you do not use the license within 90 days, it expires and you must apply again. This is covered under Texas Family Code Section 1.81, which Archer County lists on its fee schedule.

For special marriage situations such as marriage by proxy, marriage to an incarcerated person, or the marriage of a deployed soldier, contact the Archer County Clerk directly for specific requirements and steps.

Archer County Marriage Record History

Marriage records in Archer County begin in 1881, though some sources indicate the records may start as early as 1880. The county also holds early court records from 1881 through 1941. Land records go back to 1830, and probate records date to 1875. Naturalization records from 1811 to 1957 are also in the county's collection, which is quite extensive for a small county.

The Archer County Clerk has historical marriage transcriptions available online. Archer County Marriages Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3 have been transcribed and may be searchable through genealogy resources. The FamilySearch Archer County wiki has information about accessing these records.

If you need records from more than a decade ago and cannot find them online, a written request to the clerk's office is usually the best approach. Provide as much detail as you can about the names and approximate dates involved.

Texas Marriage Requirements That Apply in Archer County

All Texas counties follow the same state law requirements for marriage licenses. Both applicants must be 18 or older. Both must appear in person. Valid photo ID is required. Social Security numbers must be provided. The 72-hour wait applies unless waived by completing a premarital course or by a judge's written order.

Under Texas Family Code Section 2.001, a marriage license obtained in any Texas county is valid for use in any other county in the state. So even if you get your license in Archer County, you can hold the ceremony anywhere in Texas.

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Section 2.401. Couples can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk to establish the legal relationship without a ceremony. The declaration is filed and recorded as a public document.

Getting Certified Copies from the State

The Texas Department of State Health Services can verify marriage records from 1966 to present. Visit dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (888) 963-7111. The fee is $20 per verification. This is a letter confirming the marriage facts, not a certified copy. For a certified copy with a raised seal, you must request it from the Archer County Clerk.

The CDC guide on Texas vital records also confirms that the state does not issue certified copies of marriage records. Certified copies come only from the county clerk where the license was filed.

Cities in Archer County

Archer County includes the city of Archer City and several small communities. All marriage licenses in the county are issued at the County Clerk's office in Archer City.

No cities in Archer County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page.

Nearby Counties

Archer County is in north central Texas. Bordering counties also have their own marriage license offices.