Find Marriage Records in Concho County

Concho County marriage records are filed and maintained by the County Clerk in Paint Rock, the county seat. The clerk issues marriage licenses to qualifying couples, records completed licenses, and keeps the official marriage index for the county. If you need to get a license or request a certified copy of a Concho County marriage record, the County Clerk's office is the place to start.

Concho County Clerk

The Concho County Clerk handles all marriage licenses and vital record functions for the county. The office is at the courthouse in Paint Rock, a small rural county seat in west-central Texas. You can visit the county website at co.concho.tx.us for current contact details. The clerk's office is where both the marriage license application process starts and where certified copies of existing records can be requested.

Concho County is a small, rural county. Staff can assist with questions about the process. Call ahead before visiting to make sure the office is open and someone is available to help with marriage license services specifically.

Recording Fees in Concho County

Concho County updated its recording fee schedule effective January 1, 2024. The new rates reflect reduced first-page fees compared to prior years. The total fee for the first page of a recorded document is $25.00, which breaks down into a $10.00 Records Management and Preservation Fee, a $10.00 Records Archive Fee, and a $5.00 first-page document fee. Each additional page costs $4.00. Indexing fees apply if there are more than five names to index, at $0.25 per additional name.

These fees apply to documents recorded in the Official Public Records, which includes marriage licenses after they are returned from the ceremony. Contact the clerk directly for the current fee to apply for a marriage license and to get certified copies of existing records.

Getting a Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person at the Concho County Clerk's office. Each person needs a valid photo ID. You also need to know your Social Security number. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both parties must be at least 18 years old. A court order is required for anyone under 18.

After the license is issued, Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The waiting period can be waived if you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course. That course is free and can be done online. Completing it also reduces the license fee significantly. The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued and can be used anywhere in Texas.

Note: After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and it must be returned to the County Clerk's office to be recorded as a public record.

Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of Concho County marriage licenses are only available from the Concho County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide marriage index from 1966 forward and can issue verification letters, but that is not the same as a certified copy. Only the county clerk who issued the license can provide a certified copy.

To request a copy, you can visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. Certified copies are typically needed for name changes on government IDs, insurance updates, and similar legal or administrative purposes. They carry the clerk's official seal and signature.

What Concho County Marriage Records Contain

Marriage license records in Concho County include both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record shows when the license was issued, the date and location of the ceremony, and who performed it. Any prior marriages and how they ended are also part of the record. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk is required to send a copy to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days of the application.

Marriage records in Texas are public documents. Anyone with enough information to identify the record can request a copy from the county clerk.

Informal Marriage in Concho County

Texas allows couples to register an informal marriage at any county clerk's office under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Concho County can go to the County Clerk and sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage. Once filed, this creates a public record with the same legal weight as a standard marriage license.

If a couple does not file a declaration but wants to establish they were informally married, they need to show three things: they agreed to be married, they lived together as spouses in Texas, and they held themselves out to others as married. The declaration process at the clerk's office is the simpler, cleaner route if you want a documented record.

Concho County Marriage Record Sources

The Concho County official website is the primary source for reaching the County Clerk and getting current information on marriage license requirements and fees.

The county website lists clerk contact information and gives guidance on what to bring when applying for a marriage license in Concho County.

TexasFile allows you to search the Concho County official public records index. For certified copies, you must contact the County Clerk directly.

Cities in Concho County

Concho County is a small rural county. Paint Rock is the county seat and the location of the County Clerk's office. All marriage licenses issued to residents anywhere in the county come from this office.

Other communities in the county include Eden and Millersview. None of the cities in Concho County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Concho County. Each county clerk maintains marriage records for their own area.