Bee County Marriage Records
Bee County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk in Beeville, Texas. The clerk maintains marriage licenses, vital records, and official public records for this South Texas county. If you need to apply for a marriage license or request a certified copy of a record, the Bee County Clerk handles all requests. This page covers the process, requirements, and how to contact the office.
Bee County Overview
Bee County Clerk Office
The Bee County Clerk in Beeville maintains marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, land records, and official public records for the county. Beeville is the county seat and home to the main clerk's office. Call ahead to confirm current hours and fees before your visit. The office handles records requests in person and may accept some requests by mail.
| Office | Bee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Beeville, TX |
For the most current phone number, address, and office hours, visit the county website or call the main county number. South Texas counties follow standard Texas procedures for marriage licenses.
How to Get a Marriage License in Bee County
Both applicants must appear in person at the Bee County Clerk's office in Beeville. Bring a valid photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, and passport are all accepted. You must provide your Social Security number. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. After the license is issued, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can happen.
The 72-hour wait is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The license is good for 90 days and works anywhere in Texas. The Twogether in Texas premarital course waives the wait and gives a $60 discount on the fee. Find a course at twogetherintexas.com.
Standard fees in Bee County are in the Texas range of $76 to $82. Call the clerk to confirm the exact amount. Some counties in this range also charge for informal marriage declarations, which is a separate document for common law marriages.
Note: Call the Bee County Clerk before visiting to confirm hours, fees, and whether an appointment is needed for marriage license applications.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage licenses filed in Bee County must come from the County Clerk. The state does not provide certified copies. For verifications of marriages from 1966 to present, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office charges $20 per verification. For a certified copy with a raised seal, the County Clerk is the only source.
For genealogy research, FamilySearch has some indexed Texas marriage records. Older records in Bee County may require an in-person visit or written request to the clerk. Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of marriage when requesting a record search.
Texas Marriage Law Basics
Texas law under Family Code Chapter 2 requires both applicants to be 18 or older, appear in person, and provide photo ID and Social Security numbers. After the license is issued, the 72-hour wait applies. The license is valid for 90 days. Texas also recognizes informal marriage under Section 2.401.
If either party was divorced less than 30 days ago, Texas Family Code Section 2.009 requires waiting out that period or presenting a divorce decree with a judicial waiver. Both parties must not be currently married to anyone else.
For legal help, visit Texas Law Help or call the State Bar referral line at (800) 252-9690. The Texas Bar website has a find-a-lawyer tool for South Texas attorneys.
Historical Records in Bee County
Bee County has been part of the South Texas region since the mid-1800s. Records dating from the county's formation are held at the clerk's office. For marriages before 1966, which is when the state began tracking vital records, the county is the only official source. For marriages from 1966 forward, the CDC guide for Texas vital records explains how to obtain state-level verifications.
How the Marriage License Process Works in Bee County
The full cycle of a marriage record in Bee County starts when both parties appear at the clerk's office in Beeville. They fill out the application, show ID, provide Social Security numbers, and pay the fee. The clerk reviews the application and issues the license. The couple then waits out the 72-hour period before the ceremony can take place.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the Bee County Clerk. The clerk records it and the document becomes a permanent part of the county's vital records. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the clerk also files a copy with the state vital statistics unit within 90 days. This creates a statewide record that can be used to verify the marriage took place.
What the license contains: both parties' full legal names, birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. It also records the license issue date, ceremony date, location, and officiant. This information is public. Anyone can request a copy without giving a reason.
For legal help with marriage questions in Bee County, visit Texas Law Help or call the State Bar referral line at (800) 252-9690.
Cities in Bee County
Bee County includes Beeville and several smaller communities. All marriage licenses are issued through the County Clerk in Beeville.
No cities in Bee County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page.