Kent County Marriage Records

Kent County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Jayton. The clerk issues marriage licenses and holds certified copies of all licenses recorded in the county. If you need to search Kent County marriage records or obtain a copy of a license, the county clerk in Jayton is where to start.

Kent County Clerk Office

The Kent County Clerk's office is at P.O. Box 9, Jayton, TX 79528. Call (806) 237-3881 to reach the office. The clerk handles marriage licenses, certified copies, and all official county records. Kent County was created in 1876 and named after Andrew Kent, a soldier who died at the Goliad massacre during the Texas Revolution. It is a sparsely populated West Texas county with Jayton as the only incorporated community.

Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. No blood test is required. Given the county's size, calling ahead to confirm office hours is a good idea. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued here is valid for use anywhere in Texas.

Marriage License Requirements in Kent County

Both applicants must show up at the clerk's office at the same time. Each needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses and passports work. You also provide your Social Security number. The clerk completes the application with your information. No blood test is needed.

Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period after you receive the license before the ceremony can take place. This is set by Texas Family Code Section 2.204. You can waive this wait by completing the free Twogether in Texas premarital course and presenting the certificate when you apply. This also reduces the fee by $60, dropping it from about $81 to about $21. The certificate must be dated within the past year. The license is valid for 90 days from the date issued. Plan your ceremony date before you apply.

Note: Persons under 18 may not marry in Texas without a court order removing disabilities of minority.

Certified Copies in Kent County

Certified copies of Kent County marriage licenses can only come from the Kent County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index from 1966 forward and issues $20 verification letters, but it does not provide certified copies. For a certified copy of a license filed in Kent County, the clerk in Jayton is the source.

Call (806) 237-3881 before visiting or sending a mail request to confirm hours and current fees. For mail requests, write to P.O. Box 9, Jayton, TX 79528. Include both parties' full names, the approximate date of marriage, and payment. DSHS statewide line is (888) 963-7111.

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

What Kent County Marriage Records Contain

Marriage license records in Kent County follow the standard Texas format. They include both parties' full names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record notes when the license was issued, when and where the ceremony took place, who performed it, and any prior marriages. These records are public. Anyone with sufficient information to locate a specific record can request a copy from the county clerk.

Kent County records date back to the county's formation in 1876. For genealogy research, FamilySearch has digitized marriage records for many Texas counties. Coverage for small counties like Kent may be limited. The Texas State Library also holds historical materials from before statewide registration began in 1966.

Informal Marriage in Kent County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Kent County can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office. That creates a formal public record. Informal marriage can also be established by proving three things: agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and representing to others that you are married. Informal marriages have the same legal standing as formal ones and require a formal divorce to end.

Kent County Marriage Record Sources

The Kent County official website provides basic information about county offices and the clerk's office in Jayton.

The Kent County website has contact information for the county clerk's office where marriage licenses and certified copies are handled.

TexasFile offers free basic search access to Kent County official records. Document images require a paid subscription to view.

Cities in Kent County

Kent County is a sparsely populated West Texas county. The county seat is Jayton. All marriage records for the county are on file with the Kent County Clerk.

No cities in Kent County meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages. Jayton is the only incorporated community. All marriage licenses for the county are handled through the county clerk's office in Jayton.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Kent County. Each county clerk maintains its own marriage records.