Bowie County Marriage Records

Bowie County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk in New Boston. The clerk issues marriage licenses, keeps the official public index of all marriages recorded in the county, and provides certified copies to those who request them. Bowie County is in Northeast Texas near the Arkansas border, and the clerk handles all vital records for the area including Texarkana and surrounding communities.

Bowie County Clerk Office

The Bowie County Clerk is Tina Petty. The office is at 710 James Bowie Drive, New Boston, TX 75570. Call (903) 628-6740. Fax is (903) 628-6729. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Marriage licenses and vital records are issued until 4:00 p.m. only, not the full 4:30 closing time, so plan to arrive early.

Bowie County accepts cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards. Debit and credit cards are accepted until 4:00 p.m. only. If you plan to pay by card, arrive well before 4:00. Forms available at the clerk's office include the marriage application, military discharge form, and assumed name certificate.

Getting a Marriage License in Bowie County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Bowie County Clerk's office. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. Both must be 18 or older. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Bowie County is valid anywhere in Texas. Since the county is near the Arkansas state line, this is worth noting for couples from the border area.

The standard fee for a marriage license is $81 in most Texas counties. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay $21 and have the 72-hour waiting period waived. Without the certificate, Section 2.204 of the Texas Family Code requires a 72-hour wait from issuance before the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days and there is no extension if it expires.

Since licenses are only issued until 4:00 p.m., try to arrive by 3:30 at the latest to give the clerk enough time to process your application before cutoff.

Online Records Access

Bowie County offers online access to real property records and marriage application forms through its county website at co.bowie.tx.us. For statewide marriage verification, the Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index from 1966 to present and can issue verification letters for $20. Only the Bowie County Clerk can provide certified copies of Bowie County marriage licenses.

Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of Bowie County marriage licenses are available from the clerk's office by in-person request or by mail. For mail requests, write to the Bowie County Clerk at 710 James Bowie Drive, New Boston, TX 75570. Include both parties' full names, the approximate date of the marriage, your contact information, and payment for the fee. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature and are legally accepted for name changes, government filings, and similar purposes.

Note: Texas does not issue marriage certificates. The marriage license is the official document. A certified copy of the license is what you need for any legal use.

What Bowie County Marriage Records Show

A Bowie County marriage license application includes both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. It shows the issuance date, the ceremony date, the location, and the officiant. Prior marriages and their endings are documented as well. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk files a copy with the state vital statistics unit within 90 days. Both the county and state records are public and searchable by either party's name.

Informal Marriage in Bowie County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Bowie County couples can register an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the clerk's office. Without a declaration, informal marriage requires proving three elements: an agreement to be married, living together in Texas as spouses, and holding out to others as a married couple. A filed declaration makes documenting the marriage much simpler.

Bowie County Clerk Resources

The Bowie County Clerk page lists office hours, payment methods, contact information, and forms available for marriage licenses and other vital records services.

The Bowie County Clerk page provides all the details you need to plan a visit or mail request for marriage license information.

Cities in Bowie County

Bowie County is home to the Texarkana area and several smaller communities. No cities in Bowie County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage records for these areas are on file with the Bowie County Clerk in New Boston.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bowie County. Each has its own clerk office for marriage records.