Search Galveston County Marriage Records

Galveston County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk at the courthouse in Galveston. The office issues marriage licenses, keeps the official index of marriages recorded in the county, and provides certified copies of existing licenses. Whether you are applying for a new license or searching for a Galveston County marriage record for legal or personal purposes, this guide explains what you need to know.

Galveston County Clerk Office

The Galveston County Clerk is located on the second floor of the County Courthouse at 600 59th Street, Suite 2001, in Galveston. The office handles marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and maintains the official records index. E-filing is available for certain document types. The county has a notable historical collection, including the Republic of Texas Marriage License Record Book "A" dating from 1838 to 1850, one of the oldest marriage record collections in Texas.

Certified copies of Galveston County marriage licenses must come from this office. The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index from 1966 and can issue verification letters for $20, but the state cannot provide certified copies. Only the county clerk where the license was issued can do that.

Getting a Marriage License in Galveston County

Both applicants must appear in person together at the County Clerk's office. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, certified birth certificate issued within the past ten years, or military ID. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. Both must be at least 18 years old. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Galveston County is valid statewide.

The 72-hour waiting period begins the moment the license is issued. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course get a $60 discount and waive that waiting period. The program is free, and the certificate is valid for one year. The license expires 90 days after issuance. If the ceremony has not taken place by then, a new application is required. Once the ceremony occurs, the officiant must return the license to the county within 30 days.

Note: Texas does not issue marriage certificates. The marriage license is the legal record. Certified copies of the license are what the clerk provides for official use.

Certified Copies of Galveston County Marriage Records

To request a certified copy of a Galveston County marriage license, contact the County Clerk's office. Requests can be made in person at the Galveston courthouse or by mail. For mail requests, include both parties' full legal names, the approximate date of marriage, and payment. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted for name changes, legal proceedings, insurance updates, and government filings.

You can also use VitalChek, an authorized third-party ordering service with a direct relationship with Texas government agencies. VitalChek processes your request and the county ships the document directly. Online orders typically take 15-20 business days. For faster service, in-person pickup at the Galveston courthouse is an option during regular business hours.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 194.001, the county clerk files a copy of each marriage license application with the state vital statistics unit within 90 days. This keeps the statewide DSHS index current for marriages after 1966.

Galveston County Historical Marriage Records

Galveston County has some of the oldest marriage records in Texas. The Republic of Texas Marriage License Record Book "A" covers 1838 to 1850 and is part of the county's historical collection. The FamilySearch index for Galveston County contains over 6,000 marriage records, making it a valuable resource for genealogy research. FamilySearch has digitized many county-level records and provides free access to its database.

For records that predate the statewide DSHS index, the county clerk's office is the primary source. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also holds historical materials, including records from the Republic of Texas period. The Library of Congress vital records guide for Texas provides a useful overview of which repositories hold different types of historical records.

Informal Marriage in Galveston County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. In Galveston County, couples can register an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office. This creates an official public record with the same legal standing as a formal license. All community property laws apply once informal marriage is established, and a formal divorce is required to dissolve it. Couples who do not file a declaration can still prove informal marriage by demonstrating agreement to marry, cohabitation as spouses in Texas, and representing to others that they are married.

Galveston County Marriage Record Sources

The Galveston County official website provides access to county services, including information about the clerk's office and the marriage license process at the Galveston courthouse.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics portal is useful for confirming whether a marriage is indexed at the state level for records from 1966 forward, before requesting a certified copy from the Galveston County Clerk.

Cities in Galveston County

Several cities in Galveston County have large populations. All marriage licenses for these communities are issued by the Galveston County Clerk.

Other communities in Galveston County include Texas City, La Marque, Friendswood, and Dickinson. Marriage records for all these areas are filed with the Galveston County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Galveston County. Marriage records for those areas are kept at each county's own clerk office.