Dallam County Marriage Records

Dallam County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Dalhart, Texas. If you need to search for a marriage license, get a certified copy, or confirm a marriage took place in Dallam County, the County Clerk's office is where you start. Records go back to 1891 when the county was organized, and the clerk handles all requests for official copies in person or by mail. This guide covers how to find and obtain Dallam County marriage records, what the process looks like, and what to expect when you reach out to the office.

Dallam County Clerk Office

The County Clerk for Dallam County is Terri Banks. Her office handles marriage license applications, issues certified copies of marriage records, and maintains official public records for the county. Marriage licenses are issued on the second floor of the County Courthouse in Dalhart. Staff includes Chief Deputy DeLeasa Jones and Deputy Bentley Hunter, who can help with most records requests during office hours.

To apply for a marriage license in Dallam County, both applicants must appear in person at the clerk's office. You need a valid photo ID to complete the application. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, passport, certified birth certificate issued within the past 10 years, or military ID. You will also need your Social Security number. The clerk's staff can walk you through the paperwork at the courthouse.

Getting a Marriage License in Dallam County

Texas law sets the rules for marriage licenses statewide, and Dallam County follows those same rules. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both parties must appear in person at the County Clerk's office to apply. You cannot have one person apply and the other show up later. Both people need to be there at the same time with valid identification.

Once you apply, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the license becomes valid. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The license is then good for 90 days from the date it is issued, under Section 2.201. If your ceremony does not happen within that window, you will need to apply again. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and it must be returned to the County Clerk within 30 days.

One way to skip the 72-hour wait is through the Twogether in Texas program. This is a free state-approved premarital education course. When you complete it and present the certificate at the clerk's office, the waiting period is waived and you get a $60 discount on the license fee. The certificate is valid for one year from completion.

Searching Dallam County Marriage Records

Dallam County marriage records are available from 1891 when the county was organized. For older historical records, FamilySearch has digitized some early Texas marriage records and may have indexes for Dallam County. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also holds some historical vital records from the early statehood period.

For more recent records, the County Clerk's office is the primary source. Staff can search by name or by date of marriage. In-person searches are the most direct way to find a record. You can also contact the office by phone at (806) 244-4751 or email at clerk@dallam.org to ask about records and request copies. The clerk does not have a public online search portal listed, so direct contact is your best option for current records.

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of marriage records from 1966 to present. DSHS can provide verification letters but not certified copies. For a certified copy, you must come back to Dallam County. Contact DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (888) 963-7111 for a verification of marriage.

Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of Dallam County marriage licenses can only be obtained from the Dallam County Clerk. The state does not issue certified marriage copies. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, DSHS can only issue verifications, not certified copies. So if you need a certified copy for a legal matter, name change, or government document, you must get it from the county where the license was originally issued.

You can request a certified copy in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the date of marriage, a copy of your photo ID, and the appropriate fee. Contact the clerk's office directly for current copy fees and to confirm their mail request process before sending payment.

What Dallam County Marriage Records Contain

A marriage license record in Dallam County shows the basic facts of the marriage. This includes the full legal names of both parties, their dates of birth, addresses at the time of application, and identification information. It also shows the date the license was issued, the date of the ceremony, the name of the officiant, and the county where the license was filed.

Marriage records are public documents in Texas. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, the county clerk files a copy of each completed marriage license application with the state's vital statistics unit. The statewide index covers marriages from 1966 to present. For older records, you may need to search county archives or historical collections through genealogical resources like FamilySearch.

Texas also recognizes informal marriage, also called common law marriage, under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples can file a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office to create a formal record of a common law marriage. This document is also a public record on file with the clerk.

Dallam County Clerk Online

The Dallam County Clerk website provides contact details, office hours, and basic guidance for accessing county records including marriage licenses and vital records.

Use the clerk's website to find the most current contact information and office hours before visiting or calling.

Cities in Dallam County

Dallam County is in the Texas Panhandle. The county seat is Dalhart. No cities in Dallam County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

All marriage license applications from Dalhart and other communities in Dallam County are handled at the County Clerk's office in Dalhart.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Dallam County. If you are searching for records and are not sure which county applies, check where the couple lived when they applied for the license.