Access Coryell County Marriage Records
Coryell County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Gatesville. The office issues marriage licenses, records completed licenses in the official index, and provides certified copies to those who need documentation of a marriage in the county. This page covers how to apply for a license, what documents you need, fees, and how to get a copy of an existing Coryell County marriage record.
Coryell County Overview
Coryell County Clerk Office
The Coryell County Clerk handles marriage licenses and vital records for the county. The main office is at 620 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528. There is also an annex location at 210 S. 1st Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522, which serves residents in the eastern part of the county. Both locations can help with marriage-related services.
You can find general county information and contact details at co.coryell.tx.us and through the main county organization site at coryellcounty.org. Call the clerk's office before you visit to confirm which location handles marriage licenses on a given day.
| Office | Coryell County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 620 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528 |
| Annex Address | 210 S. 1st Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522 |
| Website | coryellcounty.org |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 237, Gatesville, TX 76528 |
Getting a Marriage License in Coryell County
Both applicants must appear together at the Coryell County Clerk's office. Each person must be at least 18 years old and bring valid photo ID. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or a certified birth certificate. You must also know and provide your Social Security number. No blood test is required.
The standard marriage license fee in Coryell County is $75.00. If you complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops to $21.00. The course is free and available online. Bring your certificate to the clerk when you apply. It also waives the 72-hour waiting period normally required by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Without the certificate, you must wait 72 hours after the license is issued before the ceremony can be performed.
A Declaration of Informal Marriage costs $46.00. The license is valid for 90 days from the date issued and may be used anywhere in Texas.
Special Requirements
- If divorced less than 30 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree that waives the 30-day waiting period
- You must not currently be married to someone else
- You must not be related to the other applicant
- No one under 18 may marry without a court order (effective September 1, 2017)
Waiting Period Exceptions
Texas law under Texas Family Code Chapter 2 allows three exceptions to the 72-hour waiting period. First, active military members serving in a hostile fire zone or preparing to deploy are exempt. Second, any couple can get the wait waived with a written waiver from a judge who has family law jurisdiction. Third, completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education course automatically waives the wait.
Military members who are National Guard on federal active duty or active-duty armed forces members preparing for deployment are also exempt from the marriage license fee itself. If you are in this situation, let the clerk's office know when you apply.
After the Ceremony
Once the ceremony is performed, the officiant signs the marriage license. The license must be returned to the Coryell County Clerk's office within 30 days for it to be recorded as a public record. Send it to:
Coryell County Clerk, P.O. Box 237, Gatesville, TX 76528.
After recording, the license is returned to the couple. The recorded license is the official proof of the marriage. Without filing it, the marriage still legally occurred, but there will be no county record of it on file. Certified copies can only be issued once the license has been returned and recorded.
Certified Copies of Coryell County Marriage Records
Certified copies of Coryell County marriage licenses must come from the Coryell County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide index from 1966 forward and can issue verification letters, but only the issuing county can produce a certified copy. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted for name changes, government ID updates, and legal filings.
You can request a copy in person at either clerk location or by mail. Include full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, and payment for the copying fee. For name change purposes after marriage, the Social Security Administration provides a name change form at ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf.
What Coryell County Marriage Records Contain
Marriage license records in Coryell County include both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Each record shows the license issue date, the ceremony date, where the ceremony took place, and who performed it. Prior marriages and how they ended are also documented. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county must send a copy to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days of the application.
These records are public documents. Anyone may request a copy with enough identifying information to locate the specific record in the county's index.
Coryell County Marriage Record Sources
The Coryell County Clerk's website provides contact details for both the Gatesville and Copperas Cove locations, along with information about marriage license fees and requirements.
The clerk's office page covers marriage license requirements, fees, and the return process after your ceremony.
Additional county information and contact details are also available at co.coryell.tx.us, the county's main government website.
The Coryell County government site lists all county departments and can help you confirm office hours and locations before you make the trip.
Cities in Coryell County
Coryell County includes Gatesville as the county seat and Copperas Cove as the largest city. Marriage licenses for all communities in the county are issued through the Coryell County Clerk's office.
Copperas Cove is the largest city in Coryell County but does not currently have a dedicated page on this site. Other communities include Gatesville, Evant, and Oglesby.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Coryell County. Each county clerk maintains its own marriage records.