Find Marriage Records in Gonzales County

Gonzales County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Gonzales. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, keeps the official marriage index, and provides certified copies of existing records. If you are searching for a Gonzales County marriage record or need to apply for a new license, this page covers where to go, what to bring, and how the process works.

Gonzales County Clerk Office

The Gonzales County Clerk is located at 427 Saint George Street, Suite 200, on the second floor of the Randle-Rather Building in Gonzales. The phone number is 830-672-2801. The office has an online records search portal at gonzalescountytx-web.tylerhost.net where you can search official property and vital records indexes. Both index and image access are available through the portal.

A Fraud Notify Service is available as a free alert system that emails you when documents are recorded in your name. This can be helpful for keeping track of official records. Note that as of December 2025, Senate Bill 16 under Local Government Code 191.010(b) requires a photo ID for filing documents in the official records. Certified copies of Gonzales County marriage licenses must come from this office, not the state DSHS office.

Getting a Marriage License in Gonzales County

Both applicants must appear in person at the clerk's office in Gonzales. Valid photo ID is required for each person. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. Both must be at least 18. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Gonzales County can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Texas.

A standard 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education program get a $60 discount and waive the waiting period. The certificate must be presented at application and is valid for one year. The license itself expires after 90 days. Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant must return the license to the county clerk within 30 days.

Note: Texas issues marriage licenses, not certificates. The license is the legal document. Certified copies of that document are what the clerk provides.

Certified Copies and Online Record Search

Certified copies of Gonzales County marriage licenses are available from the County Clerk. The online portal at gonzalescountytx-web.tylerhost.net lets you search the official records index to locate records before making a formal copy request. You can search by name, and both index and image access are available.

For in-person or mail requests, provide 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 filings, government documents, and insurance purposes. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can issue a $20 verification letter for marriages in the statewide index from 1966, but it cannot provide a certified copy. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 194.004, certified copies are only available from the issuing county clerk.

Gonzales County Historical Marriage Records

Gonzales County has some of the oldest marriage records in Texas. The county clerk holds historical marriage records from 1828 to 1890, as well as Marriage Records Volume II from 1867 to 1889. This is a notable historical collection given the county's early settlement period. These records are separate from the statewide index and can only be accessed through the county clerk or historical genealogical databases.

FamilySearch has digitized many county records from Texas and is a good free resource for genealogical research in Gonzales County. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also holds relevant historical materials. For marriages after 1966, the DSHS statewide index provides a searchable record under both parties' names.

Informal Marriage in Gonzales County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. In Gonzales County, couples can sign 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. Couples who do not file a declaration can still establish informal marriage by proving the three required elements: agreement to marry, cohabitation as spouses in Texas, and holding out to others as married. A formal divorce is required to dissolve an informal marriage.

Gonzales County Marriage Record Sources

The Gonzales County Clerk's official website provides contact details and information about services at the Randle-Rather Building office in Gonzales, including the online records portal.

The county clerk website links directly to the online records search portal where you can look up Gonzales County official records by name and access both index and document images.

The Gonzales County Fraud Guard service offers a free property fraud alert system that notifies you when a document is filed using your name in the official records.

The Fraud Guard service is free and can be enrolled through the county's online records portal, providing an extra layer of protection for property and official record filings.

Nearby Counties

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