Marriage Records in Culberson County

Culberson County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in Van Horn, the county seat. The clerk issues marriage licenses, maintains official public records including all recorded marriages, and provides certified copies to those who request them. This page covers how to get a marriage license and how to request copies of existing Culberson County marriage records.

Culberson County Clerk

The Culberson County Clerk is the official custodian of public records for the county. The office is in Van Horn, the county seat in far west Texas. The county website is co.culberson.tx.us. The clerk serves as the clerk and custodian for the Commissioners Court, the Constitutional County Court, and Statutory County Courts in Culberson County.

The clerk's duties include recording and maintaining all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names, livestock brands, and marriage licenses. The office keeps records in a secure and archival manner. In a small, rural county like Culberson, calling ahead before your visit is a good idea to confirm office hours and what you need to bring.

What the County Clerk Handles

The Culberson County Clerk serves multiple official roles in county government. As recorder and custodian, the clerk maintains vital records including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. The office also keeps official public records covering deeds and property transactions, assumed name filings, livestock brand registrations, and military discharge records.

The clerk's office is also where you go for court-related filings at the county court level. Commissioners Court minutes and resolutions are part of the clerk's official record set as well. All of these records are maintained in a secure, organized manner to meet the archival standards required by Texas law.

Note: County clerks in Texas cannot provide legal advice under Government Code Section 81.101. If you have legal questions about your marriage or records, consult a licensed attorney.

Getting a Marriage License in Culberson County

Both applicants must appear together at the Culberson County Clerk's office in Van Horn. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. You must also verbally provide your Social Security number to the clerk. Both parties must be at least 18 years old under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Minors require a court order to marry.

Standard license fees in Texas range from $76 to $82 depending on the county. If you complete the Twogether in Texas free premarital education course, the fee is typically reduced to around $21. The Twogether in Texas certificate also waives the 72-hour waiting period that Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires. Without the certificate, you must wait 72 hours after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. It is good for a ceremony anywhere in the state of Texas. After 90 days, it expires and you must reapply.

Certified Copies of Culberson County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Culberson County marriage licenses must come from the Culberson County Clerk in Van Horn. The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide marriage index from 1966 forward and can issue a verification letter, but it does not provide certified copies. Only the county that issued the license can provide that.

To request a copy, visit the clerk's office in person or send a written request by mail. Include the full legal names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and payment for the applicable fee. Fees in Texas typically run around $7-9 per certified copy. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are accepted for name changes, immigration purposes, insurance documents, and other legal uses.

What Is in the Marriage Record

Culberson County marriage license records include both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record also shows the date the license was issued, the date and location of the ceremony, the officiant's name, and information about prior marriages. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk sends a copy to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days of the application date.

Marriage records are public documents in Texas. Anyone may request a copy with enough identifying information to locate the specific record.

Informal Marriage in Culberson County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Culberson County can register an informal marriage by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office in Van Horn. The declaration becomes a public record with the same legal weight as a formal marriage license.

If no declaration exists, an informal marriage can still be established by proving that the couple agreed to be married, lived together in Texas as a married couple, and held themselves out to others as married. Filing the declaration with the clerk is the cleaner route if documentation matters to you.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Culberson County's historical marriage records go back to the county's organization. The clerk's office retains original records in a secure archival environment. For genealogical research, the FamilySearch wiki for Culberson County is a useful starting point. It documents the types of records available and their date ranges.

For marriages from 1966 to the present, the Texas DSHS statewide index is searchable. For a certified copy of any Culberson County marriage record, contact the County Clerk in Van Horn regardless of the year the marriage took place.

Culberson County Marriage Record Sources

The Culberson County official website provides contact information for the County Clerk in Van Horn and details about the various records and services the clerk maintains.

The county website is the best source for current contact details, fee information, and guidance on applying for a marriage license in Culberson County.

TexasFile allows you to search the Culberson County official public records index by name. For certified copies of marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk directly in Van Horn.

Cities in Culberson County

Van Horn is the county seat and only incorporated city in Culberson County. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the Culberson County Clerk's office in Van Horn.

Van Horn does not currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Contact the County Clerk directly for marriage license and record services in this area.

Nearby Counties

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