Search El Paso County Marriage Records
El Paso County marriage records date back to 1873 and are maintained by the County Clerk at 500 E. San Antonio in downtown El Paso. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, processes certified copy requests, and provides access to the county's extensive online marriage records search. Searching El Paso County marriage records is possible through the clerk's portal as well as through state and genealogical databases.
El Paso County Overview
El Paso County Clerk
The El Paso County Clerk's office is at 500 E. San Antonio, Suite 105, El Paso, TX 79901. The main phone number is (915) 546-2071. E-filing is available. The office handles marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and a wide range of vital records services for one of Texas's largest counties.
The clerk maintains an extensive online marriage records search tool. El Paso County's digital records system covers a substantial portion of the historical collection, making it one of the more accessible county systems for remote record searches. Marriage records from 1873 are on file with the office. This long record history makes El Paso a valuable resource for genealogical research as well as current legal needs.
| Office | El Paso County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 E. San Antonio, Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79901 |
| Phone | (915) 546-2071 |
| E-filing | Available |
| Website | elpasocounty.com/county-clerk |
Getting a Marriage License in El Paso County
Both applicants must appear in person at the El Paso County Clerk's office. Each needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Texas law under Family Code Chapter 2 requires both parties to be at least 18 years old. No blood test is required.
The standard 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. Your ceremony cannot take place until that time has passed. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course get to skip the wait entirely and also receive a reduced license fee. Bring the course completion certificate when you apply. It is valid for one year from completion. Without the certificate, you pay the full fee and wait 72 hours.
The license is valid for 90 days. If you do not marry within that period, it expires. There is no extension. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 30 days. The clerk files it and sends a copy to the state vital statistics unit. Military members on active duty with deployment to a hostile fire zone can request waiver of the waiting period with proper documentation.
El Paso County Online Marriage Records Search
El Paso County offers an extensive online marriage records search through the County Clerk's portal at elpasocounty.com. This tool lets you search by name, date range, or record type. It is one of the more developed online systems among Texas county clerks. You can use it to locate record numbers before visiting the office or submitting a copy request.
For statewide searches, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit maintains a marriage index from 1966 forward. It can issue a $20 verification letter, but only the El Paso County Clerk can provide a certified copy with an official seal. If you are researching marriages that took place before 1966, the county records are the primary source.
Note: Online search results and index information are not the same as certified copies. If you need the record for a legal purpose, you must request a certified copy directly from the clerk's office.
Certified Copies and Copy Requests
Certified copies of El Paso County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk. You can request them in person at Suite 105 during business hours. Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, and payment for the fee. Call (915) 546-2071 to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods before mailing.
Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature. They are accepted as proof of marriage for name changes with the Social Security Administration, passport applications, insurance updates, and government benefits. Plain informational copies are available at a lower cost for personal use when an official seal is not required.
Informal Marriage Registration
Under Texas Family Code Section 2.401, couples in an informal marriage can register a Declaration of Informal Marriage with the El Paso County Clerk. This creates a public record with the same legal standing as a formal marriage license. Both parties must sign the declaration at the clerk's office. It is a straightforward process and results in an official document you can use as proof of your marriage.
El Paso County Clerk Resources
The El Paso County Clerk website provides access to the online records search portal, marriage license application information, and certified copy request procedures.
El Paso County's online system allows searching of marriage records dating back to 1873, making it one of the more comprehensive county search tools in Texas.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics page provides the statewide marriage index and verification letter service for records from 1966 forward.
The state index and the El Paso County Clerk's own online system together provide strong coverage of marriage records for this large border county.
Cities in El Paso County
El Paso is the county seat and by far the largest city in El Paso County. All marriage licenses for residents of El Paso County are issued at the County Clerk's office.
Nearby Counties
El Paso County borders these Texas and New Mexico jurisdictions. Marriage records for Texas border counties are held at each county's clerk office.