Ellis County Marriage Records Lookup
Ellis County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk in Waxahachie. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, processes certified copy requests, and provides online records search access for the county. Marriage records in Ellis County go back to 1850. Whether you need a current license or are researching older Ellis County marriage records, the clerk's office is your primary source.
Ellis County Overview
Ellis County Clerk Office
Ellis County Clerk Krystal Valdez has served since January 1, 2019. The office is at 109 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie, TX 75165. The main phone is 972-825-5070, with fax at 972-825-5010. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office handles marriage license applications, certified copies, birth and death certificates, and official public records.
The Ellis County Clerk processes birth and death certificates online in addition to in-person services. Marriage records go back to 1850, making Ellis County's records a rich source for historical research. An abstract system is available for births that occurred outside Ellis County but within Texas.
| Office | Ellis County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 109 S. Jackson St. Waxahachie, TX 75165 |
| Phone | 972-825-5070 |
| Fax | 972-825-5010 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.ellis.tx.us |
Online Records Search
Ellis County offers online records search through the county's new online records system. The portal at public.lgsonlinesolutions.com provides index access and document search for official public records. Birth and death certificate ordering is available online and is processed during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The online records tool lets you search by name. For best results, try both "Doe, John" format and "Doe John" without the comma. Some information in records is redacted per state law. The online database is an index, not the official repository. Certified copies must come from the clerk's office directly.
Applying for a Marriage License
Both applicants must come to the Ellis County Clerk's office together. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, each person must have a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. The application is filled out at the clerk's office. Both parties must be 18 or older.
The 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. Your ceremony cannot happen until that time passes. The Twogether in Texas premarital education program lets you skip the wait and pay a reduced license fee. Present the completion certificate at application. It must be less than a year old at the time you apply.
Your license is valid for 90 days. If you do not marry within that window, it expires and you must start over. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Ellis County Clerk within 30 days. A note on fees: as of January 1, 2024, Senate Bill 1612 repealed the $1.00 Document Filing Fee previously charged. Recording fees are $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page.
Certified Copies and DSHS Verification
Certified copies of Ellis County marriage licenses come from the Ellis County Clerk. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit can issue verification letters for marriages from 1966 forward, but only the county can provide the certified copy with an official seal. For name changes, government filings, and other legal purposes, you need the certified copy from Waxahachie.
Request in person at 109 S. Jackson during business hours or by mail. Include both parties' names, approximate marriage date, and payment. Call 972-825-5070 to confirm the current copy fee and payment methods. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps with mail requests.
Informal Marriage Records
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Ellis County can register a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the clerk's office. This creates an official public record with the same legal standing as a formal marriage license. The process takes place at the clerk's office and requires both parties to sign the declaration in person.
Ellis County Clerk Resources
The Ellis County Clerk website provides access to online records search, online ordering for vital records, and contact information for the Waxahachie office.
The clerk's website includes the new online records search link and information about the expanded digital services available for Ellis County vital records.
The Ellis County online records search portal provides index access and document search for official county records.
Online search results show index data. Certified copies require a formal request to the County Clerk during business hours.
Cities in Ellis County
Ellis County includes Waxahachie and several other communities. Marriage licenses for all Ellis County residents are issued and recorded at the County Clerk's office in Waxahachie.
Ennis, Midlothian, and Red Oak are other significant towns in the county. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page here.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ellis County. Marriage records for those areas are kept at each county's own clerk office.