Coke County Marriage Records

Coke County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Robert Lee, Texas. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, keeps the official county record index, and provides certified copies of Coke County marriage records to those who need them. This small West Texas county handles all marriage record matters through the combined County and District Clerk office at the Robert Lee courthouse.

Coke County Clerk Contact Information

The Coke County and District Clerk is Carolla Orcutt. The office is at 13 E. 7th Street, Robert Lee, TX 76945. Phone: (325) 453-2631. Fax: (325) 453-2157. Email: carolla.orcutt@co.coke.tx.us. Chief Deputy County/District Clerk is Cindy Sawyer (cindy.sawyer@co.coke.tx.us). Deputy Clerk is Felecia Spriggs (deputy.clerk1@co.coke.tx.us).

Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM, with a lunch break Thursday from 12 to 1 PM. On Fridays, hours are 8 AM to 1 PM. Hours may vary during elections. Payment at this office is by check, credit card, money order or cashier's check, or exact cash only. The office does not keep a cash drawer and will not make change, so bring exact cash if paying that way.

Getting a Marriage License in Coke County

Both applicants must appear together at the Coke County Clerk's office in Robert Lee during office hours. Each person needs a valid photo ID and must provide their Social Security number. No blood test is needed. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license from Coke County is valid for use anywhere in Texas.

The standard fee is around $81. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay only $21 and have the 72-hour waiting period waived. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires the 72-hour wait for everyone else. Note that Friday hours end at 1 PM and the Thursday lunch hour is a break in service. Plan your visit accordingly. The license expires 90 days from issuance, so plan your ceremony date before going to the clerk.

Coke County is a small West Texas county. The clerk's office has limited staff. Calling ahead before your visit is a good idea to confirm current hours and ensure the office can accommodate your application that day.

Certified Copies of Coke County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Coke County marriage licenses must come from the Coke County Clerk in Robert Lee. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide index from 1966 and can issue verification letters for $20, but the state office cannot provide certified copies. Only the county clerk where the license was issued can do that.

For mail requests, write to 13 E. 7th Street, Robert Lee, TX 76945. Include both parties' full legal names, the approximate marriage date, and payment by money order, cashier's check, or check. Do not send cash by mail. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted for name changes, government filings, and similar legal uses.

Note: Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk sends a copy of each marriage license application to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days of the application date.

Coke County Marriage Record Contents

Marriage license applications in Coke County follow the statewide format. Each record lists both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, home addresses, and Social Security numbers. It includes the license issue date, ceremony date and location, the officiant's name, and prior marriage history for each applicant. Both parties sign and take an oath before the clerk.

The statewide DSHS index covers marriages from 1966 forward. Coke County's own records go back to the county's formation. For marriages before 1966, the clerk in Robert Lee is the only source. All records are public documents accessible to anyone with sufficient information to identify the record.

Informal Marriage in Coke County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Family Code Section 2.401. Couples can register an informal marriage at the Coke County Clerk's office in Robert Lee by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage. This creates a permanent public record with the same legal force as a standard marriage license.

Three elements must exist to prove an informal marriage without a signed declaration: both parties agreed to be married, they lived together in Texas as spouses, and they held themselves out to others as married. All three must be present at the same time. Signing the declaration at the clerk's office provides clear documentation and avoids potential disputes later.

Coke County Record Sources

The Coke County official website has contact details and information about the services available through the county clerk's office in Robert Lee.

The Coke County website provides clerk contact details, office hours, and information about marriage records available through the Robert Lee courthouse.

TexasFile provides searchable access to Coke County official public records, including documents recorded with the county clerk's office.

Cities in Coke County

Coke County includes Robert Lee and very small surrounding communities in West Texas. All marriage licenses issued in the county are recorded at the Coke County Clerk's office in Robert Lee.

Robert Lee is the county seat. Bronte is another community in the county. Neither qualifies for individual city pages, but all Coke County marriages are on file with the county clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Coke County. Marriage records for those areas are kept at each county's own clerk office.