Find Marriage Records in Comanche County

Comanche County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in the city of Comanche, Texas. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses to couples who meet state requirements, maintains the official index of recorded marriages, and provides certified copies to those who need documentation of a marriage that took place in the county. This page covers how to get a license, request copies, and find records for Comanche County.

Comanche County Clerk Office

The Comanche County Clerk handles marriage licenses and vital records in Comanche County. The office is located at the county courthouse in Comanche, the county seat. You can reach the office through the county website at co.comanche.tx.us. The clerk's office is the only place in the county that can issue a marriage license or provide a certified copy of a marriage record.

Both people applying for a license must show up together. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. You also need to know your Social Security number. The clerk staff will walk you through the process. No appointment is typically required, but calling ahead to confirm hours is a good idea.

Getting a Marriage License in Comanche County

Texas law requires both applicants to appear in person at the County Clerk's office. You must each bring valid photo ID and verbally provide your Social Security number to the clerk. No blood test is needed. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both parties must be at least 18 years old. A court order is required for anyone younger than 18.

Once issued, the standard license fee runs between $76 and $82 depending on current county fee schedules. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops significantly. The Twogether in Texas certificate also waives the 72-hour waiting period that Texas Family Code Section 2.204 normally requires. Without it, you must wait 72 hours after receiving the license before the ceremony can be performed.

The license is good for 90 days. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and the couple must apply again. The license is valid for use anywhere in Texas, not just in Comanche County.

Note: Active military members and those with a written waiver from a judge with family law jurisdiction may also qualify for an exception to the 72-hour wait.

Certified Copies of Comanche County Marriage Licenses

Certified copies of a Comanche County marriage license must come from the Comanche County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide index of marriages from 1966 forward and can issue verification letters, but only the issuing county clerk can give you a certified copy. If the license was issued in Comanche County, that is where you get your copy.

To request a copy by mail, write to the Comanche County Clerk at the courthouse in Comanche, Texas. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and your payment. Fees for certified copies are typically around $7 to $9 per copy. In-person requests are handled at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are accepted for name changes, insurance filings, and government documents.

What the Records Include

Comanche County marriage license records follow the standard Texas format. Each record lists both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, and addresses. It also shows the date the license was issued, the ceremony date, the location of the ceremony, and the name of the officiant. Previous marriages and how they ended are also documented. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk sends a copy to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days.

The original license stays with the county. The statewide index covers both names. Anyone with enough identifying information to locate the record may request a copy. Marriage records in Texas are public documents.

Informal Marriage in Comanche County

Texas recognizes informal marriage, sometimes called common law marriage, under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Comanche County can register an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office. This creates a formal public record with the same legal standing as a traditional marriage license.

Without filing a declaration, a couple can still show an informal marriage exists if they can prove three things: they agreed to be married, they lived together in Texas as a married couple, and they represented themselves to others as married. The informal marriage declaration fee in most Texas counties is around $46. Contact the Comanche County Clerk to confirm current fees and the form required.

Historical Marriage Records

Comanche County has historical marriage records that predate the state's centralized vital statistics system. Older records going back to the county's organization in the 1800s are kept at the clerk's office. The FamilySearch wiki for Comanche County is a useful starting point for genealogical research. It documents the types of records available and the date ranges covered.

For more recent records from 1966 forward, the Texas DSHS maintains the statewide index. For a certified copy of any record, you still need to go back to the Comanche County Clerk regardless of the year.

Comanche County Marriage Record Sources

The Comanche County official website provides contact information for the County Clerk and access to county services related to marriage licenses and vital records.

The county website is the starting point for reaching the Comanche County Clerk and learning about current fees, hours, and requirements for marriage licenses.

TexasFile provides index access to Comanche County official public records. For certified copies of marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk directly.

Cities in Comanche County

Comanche County includes the city of Comanche and several smaller communities. Marriage licenses for all cities and towns in the county are issued and recorded at the Comanche County Clerk's office.

Comanche is the county seat and home to the clerk's office. Other communities in the county include De Leon, Gustine, and Sidney. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

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