Atascosa County Marriage License Records
Atascosa County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Jourdanton, Texas. The clerk has issued marriage licenses and maintained vital records since 1856. If you need to apply for a license, request a certified copy, or search for a marriage record in Atascosa County, the clerk's office handles all of it. This page covers the fees, hours, what to bring, and how to request records.
Atascosa County Overview
Atascosa County Clerk Office
The County Clerk's office is at the courthouse complex in Jourdanton. Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. There may be an occasional lunch closure from noon to 1:00 p.m. Atascosa County is south of San Antonio and covers the area between the city and the Eagle Ford Shale region. The county was incorporated on January 25, 1856 from the Bexar Land District.
| Office | Atascosa County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Courthouse Circle Drive, Suite 102, Jourdanton, TX 78026 |
| Phone | (830) 767-2511 |
| Fax | (830) 769-1021 |
| Hours | Mon-Thu: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Fri: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (lunch closure may apply) |
| Website | co.atascosa.tx.us |
Atascosa County Marriage License Fees
The standard marriage license fee in Atascosa County is $81.00 as of the January 1, 2024 fee schedule. An informal marriage license (declaration of common law marriage) costs $52.00. These fees were set under the county's official fee schedule and are subject to change.
The Twogether in Texas premarital education program reduces the standard license fee by $60. Couples who complete the free course pay $21.00 instead of $81.00. The program also waives the 72-hour waiting period. Find a course provider at twogetherintexas.com. The certificate must be presented at the time of the license application and must be less than one year old.
Other fees in the county include a $25.00 recording fee for the first page of documents, $4.00 for each additional page, and $23.00 for birth certificates. If you need to file a motion and order in Atascosa County, file them in two separate envelopes. Do not attach the order as a lead document or attachment.
How to Get a Marriage License in Atascosa County
Both applicants must appear together at the Atascosa County Clerk's office in Jourdanton. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Texas law requires both parties to be at least 18 years old. You must provide your Social Security number to the clerk. Both parties take an oath and sign the license at the office.
After the license is issued, you must wait 72 hours before holding the ceremony. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The license is valid for 90 days and can be used anywhere in Texas. A ceremony performed in Jourdanton, San Antonio, or anywhere else in the state is valid with an Atascosa County license.
Atascosa County is near San Antonio, so some residents may find it more convenient to get a license in Bexar County if they already live there. Remember that you can apply for a license at any Texas county clerk's office regardless of where you live. The license is valid statewide.
Note: Atascosa County records are intact from 1856 to present with no known courthouse disasters. Marriage records go back to the county's founding year.
Atascosa County Marriage Records and History
Marriage records in Atascosa County begin in 1856, the year the county was formed. Land records also start in 1856. Probate records date to 1856 as well. Birth records begin in 1890, which reflects when state and county birth registration became more systematic. Death records start in 1903. Court records go back to 1860.
The county was named after the Atascosa River, which comes from a Spanish word meaning "boggy" or "obstructed." This is one of the older South Texas counties, and its historical records offer a useful resource for genealogists tracing families who settled in the region between San Antonio and the Gulf Coast.
For marriage record searches, contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person. For marriages from 1966 forward, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office can provide a verification for $20. But certified copies for legal use must come from Atascosa County.
Requesting Documents by Mail
Atascosa County accepts mail requests for some records. If you need documents returned by FedEx, UPS, or other carrier, you must provide the mailing envelope with a label. Effective February 26, 2019, the office can no longer supply envelopes for return shipments. Without a provided envelope, documents are returned by regular US Postal Service.
For certified copies of marriage licenses by mail, send your request in writing with the names of both parties, the date of marriage, your contact information, and a check or money order for the fee. Call (830) 767-2511 to confirm the current fee and payment requirements before mailing.
Informal Marriage in Atascosa County
Texas recognizes informal (common law) marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. A couple can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Atascosa County Clerk. The fee is $52.00. Both parties must agree to be married, live together in Texas as spouses, and represent themselves to others as married. Once the declaration is filed, the informal marriage is a matter of public record and carries the same legal weight as a formal marriage.
Cities in Atascosa County
Atascosa County includes Jourdanton (county seat), Pleasanton, Devine, Lytle, Charlotte, and other communities. All marriage licenses for the county are issued at the clerk's office in Jourdanton.
No cities in Atascosa County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page.
Nearby Counties
Atascosa County is in South Texas near San Antonio. Bordering counties serve different parts of the greater San Antonio region.