Hood County Marriage Records

Hood County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk at the courthouse in Granbury, Texas. The clerk issues marriage licenses, provides certified copies of existing records, and keeps the official county marriage index. Granbury is about 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth, and the Hood County Clerk serves residents throughout this growing county. Whether you need a new license or a copy of a past record, the process starts at the Granbury courthouse.

Hood County Clerk Office

The Hood County Clerk is located at 201 W. Bridge St., Granbury, TX 76048. The main phone number is (817) 579-3222. You can find current office hours and information on services at co.hood.tx.us. The clerk handles marriage license applications, vital records, real property filings, and other official county documents. Call ahead to confirm hours and payment methods before visiting.

Hood County was created in 1866. The county is located in the DFW metro area's southwestern edge, and its population has grown significantly in recent decades. The clerk's office in Granbury is the single location serving all marriage record needs for the county. Most services are available on a walk-in basis during normal business hours.

Marriage License Requirements in Hood County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Hood County Clerk's office. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both must be at least 18 years old. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, the license can be used anywhere in Texas once issued in Hood County.

The standard fee is $81. Complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course and you only pay $21. The completion certificate must be presented at the time of application. It also waives the 72-hour waiting period. Without it, Texas requires a 72-hour wait after the license is issued before the ceremony. This wait period is set by state law and cannot be shortened by the clerk.

The license is valid for 90 days. Weddings must happen before the license expires. There is no option to extend an expired license. Make sure your ceremony date is scheduled within the 90-day window before you apply.

Note: Texas law provides for marriage licenses, not marriage certificates. Certified copies of the license are the recognized legal document for proving marriage.

Getting Certified Copies of Hood County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Hood County marriage records come only from the Hood County Clerk. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can provide a $20 verification letter confirming a marriage is in the state index, but DSHS cannot issue certified copies. Only the issuing county can do that, and in this case that means Hood County.

For in-person copy requests, go to the Granbury courthouse with the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the license or ceremony. Mail requests should include the same identifying information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the applicable fee payable to the Hood County Clerk. Call (817) 579-3222 to confirm the current copy fee before mailing. Certified copies carry the official seal and are accepted for legal name changes, government forms, insurance claims, and similar purposes.

Hood County Marriage Record Details

A Hood County marriage license application documents both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. It records the date the license was issued, the date and location of the ceremony, the name of the officiant, and any information about prior marriages. The form used follows the state-prescribed format required across all 254 Texas counties.

The county clerk sends a copy to the Texas Vital Statistics Section within 90 days of the application under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194. The state index lists both parties' names. The original record stays in Hood County. Marriage records are public, and anyone with enough identifying information to locate the record can request a copy.

Informal Marriage in Hood County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples can register an informal marriage in Hood County by going to the clerk's office and signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage. Once filed, this declaration creates a public record with full legal standing.

Without a declaration, informal marriage can be established if a couple proves they agreed to be married, lived together in Texas as spouses, and held themselves out as married to others. Registering at the Hood County Clerk's office is the most direct way to document the relationship in the public record. Ask the clerk for the form and filing instructions.

Hood County Marriage Record Sources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics portal provides access to the statewide marriage index and information on submitting verification requests for marriages recorded since 1966.

DSHS can confirm a marriage is in the state index, but certified copies must come from the Hood County Clerk in Granbury.

The Texas Family Code Chapter 2 governs the marriage license process throughout Texas, including Hood County's requirements for fees, waiting periods, and ceremony timing.

Texas Family Code Chapter 2 sets the rules for marriage licenses that apply in every Texas county, including Hood County.

Cities in Hood County

Granbury is the county seat and the main city in Hood County. Acton, Tolar, and Lipan are smaller communities in the county. All marriage records for these areas are on file with the Hood County Clerk in Granbury.

No cities in Hood County currently meet the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage records are maintained by the clerk's office in Granbury.

Nearby Counties

Hood County borders several North Texas counties. Each county's clerk maintains its own marriage records.