Kenedy County Marriage Records

Kenedy County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in Sarita. The clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps certified copies of all licenses recorded in the county. Kenedy County is one of the least populous counties in Texas, so calling ahead before you visit is strongly recommended for anyone seeking marriage records or a new license.

Kenedy County Clerk Office

The Kenedy County Clerk is located at P.O. Box 227, Sarita, TX 78385. The phone number is (361) 294-5220. The clerk handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and all official county records. Kenedy County was created in 1921 and named after Mifflin Kenedy, a rancher and steamboat operator who was a major figure in early South Texas. It is one of the smallest counties in Texas by population, with a very sparse rural character.

Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID. Each also needs their Social Security number. No blood test is required. Because the county is so small and the office has limited hours, calling (361) 294-5220 ahead of any visit is strongly advisable. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Kenedy County is valid for use anywhere in Texas.

Getting a Marriage License in Kenedy County

Both applicants appear in person at the clerk's office together. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. No blood test is needed. Given the county's remote location and small population, calling ahead to confirm hours and availability is a good idea before making the trip to Sarita.

Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period between receiving the license and holding the ceremony, per Texas Family Code Section 2.204. This wait can be waived with the free Twogether in Texas premarital education certificate. The certificate also takes $60 off the license fee, dropping it from about $81 to around $21. The certificate must be from within the past year. Your license expires 90 days after issue, so plan accordingly.

Note: Minors under 18 cannot marry in Texas without a court order. Plan your ceremony date before applying so the 90-day window works for you.

Certified Copies of Kenedy County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Kenedy County marriage licenses must come from the Kenedy County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index from 1966 and issues $20 verification letters, but cannot provide certified copies. Only the county clerk where the license was filed can do that.

Contact the clerk at (361) 294-5220 before you try to visit or send a mail request. For mail requests, send to P.O. Box 227, Sarita, TX 78385. Include both parties' names, the approximate marriage date, and payment. DSHS can be reached at (888) 963-7111 for statewide verification requests.

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

What Kenedy County Marriage Records Contain

Kenedy County marriage license records follow the Texas state format. Each record includes both parties' full names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Also recorded are the date the license was issued, the ceremony date and place, who performed the ceremony, and any prior marriages. These records are public. The DSHS statewide index covers marriages from 1966 forward. For records before 1966, the county clerk in Sarita is the source. Kenedy County records date back to 1921.

For genealogy research, FamilySearch has digitized records for many Texas counties. Given the county's small size, coverage may be limited. The Texas State Library holds historical South Texas records that may be useful for research in the region.

Informal Marriage in Kenedy County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Kenedy County can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office to create a formal public record. Without a declaration, informal marriage can still be established by proving agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and holding out to others as married. Informal marriages carry the same legal rights as formal ones. A divorce is required to end an informal marriage.

Kenedy County Marriage Record Sources

The Kenedy County official website provides information about county offices and how to contact the clerk in Sarita.

The Kenedy County website has contact information for the county clerk's office in Sarita where marriage licenses are issued.

TexasFile provides free basic name searches for Kenedy County official records. Document images require a paid subscription.

Cities in Kenedy County

Kenedy County is one of the most sparsely populated counties in Texas, located in the South Texas plains. The county seat is Sarita. All marriage records are on file with the Kenedy County Clerk.

No cities in Kenedy County meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages. Sarita is the only incorporated community, and all marriage licenses for the county are handled through the county clerk's office there.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kenedy County. Each has its own clerk office where marriage records are maintained.