Fayette County Marriage Records

Fayette County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in La Grange, the county seat. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, keeps the official marriage index for the county, and provides certified copies of recorded licenses. Whether you are applying for a new license or searching for an existing Fayette County marriage record, the clerk's office is your first stop.

Fayette County Clerk Office

The Fayette County Clerk is located at the county courthouse in La Grange. The office handles marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and other vital records services for the county. Call the office before your visit to confirm current hours and requirements. Payment options and any recent procedural updates can also be confirmed by phone.

Both applicants must appear in person together at the clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Each needs a valid photo ID and Social Security number. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all serve as acceptable photo identification. The application form is provided and completed at the clerk's office on the day of your visit.

Getting a Marriage License in Fayette County

Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both applicants must be 18 or older and appear in person at the clerk's office. No blood test is required. Texas has no residency requirement. After the license is issued, the 72-hour waiting period applies before you can have your ceremony.

Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course skip the 72-hour wait and pay a reduced fee. You must present the course completion certificate at application. It is valid for one year. Without the certificate, you wait 72 hours and pay the standard fee. The license is valid for 90 days after issue. If the ceremony does not happen in that time, the license expires.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Fayette County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Texas vital statistics unit for inclusion in the statewide index.

Certified Copies of Fayette County Marriage Records

Only the Fayette County Clerk can provide a certified copy of a marriage license issued in Fayette County. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit can issue a verification letter for marriages from 1966 forward for $20, but that is different from a certified copy. Legal and government purposes typically require a certified copy with the clerk's seal.

To get a certified copy, visit the clerk's office in La Grange during business hours. You can also send a written mail request with the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, and payment for the applicable fee. Call the clerk first to confirm the current copy fee and accepted payment methods before mailing.

What the Records Include

Fayette County marriage license records list both parties' legal names, dates of birth, home addresses, and Social Security numbers. Prior marriages and how they ended are also noted on the application. After the ceremony, the record adds the date and location of the ceremony and the officiant's name and signature.

All of this information becomes part of the county's official record collection. Records from 1966 forward are also part of the statewide index maintained by Texas DSHS. Both the county record and the state index are public records, accessible to anyone who can provide enough identifying information to locate the specific marriage they are looking for.

Informal Marriage Registration

Under Texas Family Code Section 2.401, a couple in Fayette County can register an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the clerk's office. This creates a public record that carries the same legal standing as a formal marriage license. Both parties must sign the declaration in person at the clerk's office.

Fayette County Record Sources

The Fayette County website provides information about the clerk's office and services available in La Grange.

The Fayette County Clerk in La Grange is the official source for all Fayette County marriage licenses and certified copies.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics portal provides access to the statewide marriage index and verification letters for marriages recorded from 1966 onward.

The state index and the county clerk's records together provide full coverage of Fayette County marriages across different time periods.

Cities in Fayette County

La Grange is the county seat of Fayette County. Schulenburg and Flatonia are other communities in the county. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page here. All Fayette County residents use the County Clerk in La Grange for marriage license services.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Fayette County. Marriage records for each are kept at that county's own clerk office.