Jeff Davis County Marriage Records
Jeff Davis County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Fort Davis. The clerk issues marriage licenses and holds certified copies of every license recorded in the county. If you need to search Jeff Davis County marriage records or get a certified copy, the county clerk's office in Fort Davis handles all requests.
Jeff Davis County Overview
Jeff Davis County Clerk
The Jeff Davis County Clerk's office is at P.O. Box 398, Fort Davis, TX 79734. Call (432) 426-3251 to reach the office. As a small, remote county in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, Jeff Davis County serves a modest population. The clerk's office handles all official county records including marriage licenses and certified copies. The county was created in 1887.
Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID to apply for a license. You will also need your Social Security number. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Jeff Davis County is valid for use anywhere in Texas. Because this is a small rural office, calling ahead before your visit is a good idea.
| Office | Jeff Davis County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 398 Fort Davis, TX 79734 |
| Phone | (432) 426-3251 |
| Website | co.jeff-davis.tx.us |
Applying for a Marriage License in Jeff Davis County
To get a marriage license, both applicants must show up at the clerk's office at the same time. Each person needs a valid photo ID. Driver's licenses, passports, and state-issued ID cards work. You will also provide your Social Security number. No blood test is required in Texas.
Texas law requires a 72-hour wait between receiving your license and holding the ceremony. This is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. You can waive this requirement by completing the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course and presenting your certificate when you apply. This also saves you $60 on the license fee. Standard fees run about $81; with the Twogether certificate, you pay around $21. The certificate must be dated within the past year. Your license expires 90 days after issue, so pick a ceremony date that fits within that window before you go apply.
Note: Anyone under 18 cannot get a marriage license without a court order under Texas law.
Getting Certified Copies in Jeff Davis County
Certified copies of Jeff Davis County marriage licenses can only be obtained from the Jeff Davis County Clerk. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section keeps a statewide index from 1966 forward and issues verification letters for $20, but does not provide certified copies. For a certified copy of a license issued here, the county clerk in Fort Davis is your source.
Contact the clerk at (432) 426-3251 to ask about current procedures and fees before visiting or sending a mail request. For mail requests, write to P.O. Box 398, Fort Davis, TX 79734. Include both parties' full names, the approximate date of marriage, and payment. Statewide DSHS inquiries can be directed to (888) 963-7111.
Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted for name changes, insurance filings, government documents, and other legal purposes.
What Jeff Davis County Marriage Records Contain
Marriage license records in Jeff Davis County follow the state format. Each record includes both parties' full names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record also notes the date the license was issued, when and where the ceremony happened, who performed it, and details of any prior marriages. These records are public. The DSHS statewide index is searchable by both parties' names. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk files a copy with the state within 90 days of the application.
For genealogical research, FamilySearch has digitized records from many Texas counties. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds historical records from before 1966. Jeff Davis County records date back to the county's formation in 1887.
Informal Marriage in Jeff Davis County
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. You can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Jeff Davis County Clerk's office to create an official record. Without a declaration, an informal marriage can still be established if a couple can prove they agreed to be married, lived together in Texas as spouses, and held out to others as married. Informal marriage carries the same legal rights and responsibilities as a formal ceremony. A divorce is required to end it.
Jeff Davis County Marriage Record Sources
The Jeff Davis County official website provides information about county offices and services including marriage licenses.
The Jeff Davis County website provides contact information and office details for the county clerk's office in Fort Davis.
TexasFile provides a searchable index of Jeff Davis County official public records. Document images may require a paid subscription.
Cities in Jeff Davis County
Jeff Davis County is a remote county in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. The county seat is Fort Davis. All marriage records are filed with the Jeff Davis County Clerk.
No cities in Jeff Davis County meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages. Fort Davis is the largest community, and all marriage licenses for the county are handled by the county clerk there.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Jeff Davis County. Each county clerk maintains its own marriage records for licenses issued there.