Find Marriage Records in Kaufman County

Kaufman County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Kaufman. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses and holds certified copies of all licenses recorded in the county. Whether you need a new license or want to search Kaufman County marriage records for an older filing, the county clerk in Kaufman is your official source.

Kaufman County Clerk Office

The Kaufman County Clerk's office is at P.O. Box 1106, Kaufman, TX 75142. Call (972) 932-4331 to reach the office. The clerk handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and official county records. The county website is at kaufmancounty.net. Kaufman County was created in 1848 and named after David Spangler Kaufman, one of the first U.S. Representatives from Texas. The county is in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has grown significantly in recent years.

FamilySearch lists Kaufman County as one of the counties included in the Texas Select County Marriage Records collection, which means digitized historical records are available. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID to apply for a license. Each also needs their Social Security number. No blood test is required. A license issued here is valid statewide under Texas Family Code Chapter 2.

Getting a Marriage License in Kaufman County

Both people who plan to marry must appear at the clerk's office together. Each needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses and passports both work. You will also need your Social Security number. The clerk fills in the application with your information.

Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period from when you get the license until the ceremony can take place. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. You can waive this requirement. Complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course and bring your certificate to the clerk at the time of application. The certificate also saves you $60 on the fee. Without it, fees run about $81 in Kaufman County. With it, about $21. The certificate must be dated within the past year. Your license stays valid for 90 days. Plan your ceremony date before you apply so everything lines up.

Note: Texas requires both parties to be at least 18. Minors must have a court order to marry.

Certified Copies of Kaufman County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Kaufman County marriage licenses must be obtained from the Kaufman County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide index from 1966 forward and issues $20 verification letters, but does not provide certified copies. Only the county clerk where the license was filed can issue a certified copy.

For in-person requests, visit the clerk's office in Kaufman during business hours. For mail requests, send to P.O. Box 1106, Kaufman, TX 75142. Include both parties' full names, the approximate marriage date, and payment. Call (972) 932-4331 to ask about the current fee before you mail a request. DSHS can be reached at (888) 963-7111 for statewide records. VitalChek may also be an option for online ordering.

Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted for name changes, legal filings, insurance, and government purposes. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk sends a copy of each application to the state within 90 days.

What Kaufman County Marriage Records Contain

Marriage license records in Kaufman County follow the Texas state format. They include both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record also notes when the license was issued, when and where the ceremony happened, who performed it, and any prior marriages. These records are public. The DSHS statewide index covers marriages since 1966. Anyone with enough identifying information can request a copy.

Kaufman County is included in the FamilySearch Texas Select County Marriage Records collection, meaning digitized records from the county are available online through FamilySearch. Records go back to the county's formation in 1848.

Informal Marriage in Kaufman County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Kaufman County can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office to create a public record. Without that declaration, informal marriage can still be established by proving three things: an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and representing to others that you are married. Informal marriages carry the same legal consequences as formal ones, including the need for a formal divorce to end the relationship.

Kaufman County Marriage Record Sources

The Kaufman County Clerk website provides information about the clerk's office including contact details, hours, and services available for marriage records.

The Kaufman County Clerk website includes contact information and details for requesting marriage licenses and certified copies at the courthouse in Kaufman.

For statewide records, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section provides verification letters and maintains the statewide marriage index from 1966 forward.

DSHS processes verification requests by mail, online through Texas.gov, or in person at the Austin office. Call (888) 963-7111 for fee information.

Cities in Kaufman County

Kaufman County is located east of Dallas and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The county seat is Kaufman. All marriage licenses for the county are issued and recorded at the Kaufman County Clerk's office.

No cities in Kaufman County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Communities including Kaufman, Forney, Terrell, and Seagoville are all served by the Kaufman County Clerk for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

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