Dawson County Marriage Records

Dawson County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Lamesa, Texas. If you need to apply for a marriage license or get a certified copy of a past marriage record in Dawson County, the clerk's office at 400 South 1st Street handles all requests. Records date back to 1905 when the county was created, and the staff can help you find what you need by name or date. This page covers what to bring, how the process works, and what to expect.

Dawson County Clerk Office

County Clerk Clare Christy oversees vital records and official public records for Dawson County. The office is at 400 South 1st Street in Lamesa. Chief Deputy Jessica Ramon and Deputy Clerk Bianca Plaza assist with records requests and marriage license applications. The office has specific hours for marriage license issuance, so check before you go.

Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The general office hours are slightly different: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and Fridays from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Come before the cutoff time, as the clerk needs time to process the application before the office closes.

How to Get a Marriage License in Dawson County

Texas law requires both applicants to appear in person at the County Clerk's office to get a marriage license. This rule applies in Dawson County the same as everywhere in Texas. Both parties must bring valid photo identification. Accepted ID includes a driver's license, passport, a certified birth certificate issued within the past 10 years, or a military ID. Social Security numbers are also required as part of the application.

Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a 72-hour waiting period begins after the clerk issues the license. You cannot hold the ceremony until that time passes. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date under Section 2.201. If the 90-day window expires before you marry, you must apply again and pay the fee again.

The Twogether in Texas program lets couples skip the 72-hour wait and save $60 on the license fee. The program is free and covers topics like communication and finances. After completing the course, you get a certificate to bring to the clerk's office at the time of application. The certificate stays valid for one year from the date you finish the course.

Searching Dawson County Marriage Records

The Dawson County Clerk keeps marriage records from 1905 to present. The county was created on February 13, 1905 from Howard County, and marriage records begin from that year. For genealogical research on older Texas marriages, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and FamilySearch have some statewide collections that may include Dawson County records.

To search for a specific record, contact the clerk's office at 806-329-3311 or email clare.christy@co.dawson.tx.us. Have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage ready. Staff can look up records by name. For statewide verification of a marriage from 1966 or later, you can also contact the Texas Department of State Health Services at (888) 963-7111.

Certified Copies and Official Records

Only the Dawson County Clerk can issue certified copies of marriage records for marriages that took place in or were licensed in Dawson County. The state does not issue certified copies. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the Texas Department of State Health Services can only provide verification letters. Certified copies for legal use must come from the county where the license was issued.

You can request a certified copy in person during office hours. Mail requests are typically accepted as well. Send a written request with full names of both parties, approximate date of marriage, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, and payment. Call the office first to confirm the current fee and the exact mail request procedure. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1268, Lamesa, TX 79331.

What Dawson County Marriage Records Show

A standard marriage license in Dawson County shows the legal names of both parties, their dates of birth, residential addresses at the time of application, and identification information. It also shows the date the license was issued, the license number, the date of the ceremony, the name and signature of the person who performed the ceremony, and witnesses. The document is signed by both parties at the time of application.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk files a copy of each completed license application with the state's vital statistics unit no later than 90 days after it is submitted. This creates the statewide index that DSHS maintains. Most marriage records at the county level are public documents available to anyone who requests them.

Texas also allows informal or common law marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples can file a Declaration of Informal Marriage with the Dawson County Clerk to create a formal written record of a common law marriage. This is a public record. All three legal elements must be present: agreement to be married, living together in Texas as spouses, and holding out to others as married.

Dawson County Clerk Online

The Dawson County Clerk page on the county website lists staff contacts, office hours, and information about marriage license applications and other vital records services.

Check the county website for the most current office hours and fee information before visiting or mailing a records request.

Cities in Dawson County

Dawson County's largest city is Lamesa, the county seat. No cities in Dawson County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage license applications for residents of Lamesa and surrounding communities are handled at the County Clerk's office in Lamesa.

Nearby Counties

Dawson County is in West Texas. These counties are nearby. If you are not sure which county issued a particular marriage license, check the residence address on the license.