Lee County Marriage Records

Lee County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Giddings. The clerk's office issues new licenses and keeps records for all marriages that took place in Lee County. You can request copies in person or search older records for genealogy or legal purposes.

Lee County Clerk

The Lee County Clerk in Giddings issues all marriage licenses and keeps the official record of marriages filed in the county. The office can help with new applications, certified copy requests, and historical record lookups. Marriage license application forms are available online through the county website, though both parties must appear in person to complete the process.

Lee County was organized in April 1874 from parts of Bastrop, Burleson, Fayette, and Washington counties. The county is in central Texas, east of Austin. Giddings serves as the county seat and is home to the courthouse where all records are held.

The Lee County website includes information about the clerk's office and may have downloadable forms for marriage license applications.

Check the website or call ahead to confirm current fees and any updated procedures before you visit.

Marriage License Process in Lee County

To get a marriage license in Lee County, both people must go to the County Clerk's office together. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The clerk processes the application and collects the fee on the same visit.

Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can take place. This is in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The license is valid for 90 days. If you don't get married within that time, you need a new license. Complete the free Twogether in Texas program before you apply to waive the wait and save $60 on the fee.

Copies of Lee County Marriage Records

Certified marriage record copies are available from the Lee County Clerk. You can request them in person or by mail. Mail requests should include both parties' names and the year of the marriage. A fee applies per certified copy.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section keeps a statewide index of marriages from 1966 to present. You can request a $20 verification letter from the state, but the state cannot issue certified copies. Only the county clerk can do that.

Note: For genealogy research on marriages before 1966, the county clerk's records and online collections like FamilySearch are the best resources available.

What Lee County Marriage Records Show

Marriage license applications in Texas record full names, dates of birth, residence addresses, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history for both applicants. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk. This adds the ceremony date and the officiant's details to the record.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, each completed license is filed with the state within 90 days. The state index is useful for verifying marriages but cannot replace the county record for official purposes. All marriage records are public in Texas.

Informal Marriage in Lee County

Texas law recognizes common law marriages. To create an official record of one, couples file a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office. Both parties must be present. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.401, the marriage requires an agreement to be married, living together as a couple in Texas, and holding yourselves out to others as married. Once filed, the declaration carries full legal weight.

Mail Requests and Legal Help in Lee County

Certified copies of Lee County marriage licenses can be requested by mail. Write to the County Clerk at 843 East Industry, Giddings, TX 78942. Include both parties' full names, the year of the marriage, your return address, and payment. Call (979) 542-3684 first to confirm the current fee before sending your request. The clerk can also tell you how long mail requests typically take to process.

If either party was divorced within the past 30 days, Texas Family Code Section 2.009 applies. You must wait out the 30-day period or have a divorce decree with a judicial waiver of that requirement. The clerk in Giddings will check this when you apply. Bring the final divorce decree if your divorce is recent.

For legal questions about marriage in Lee County, Texas Law Help has free resources online. The Texas State Bar has a lawyer referral line at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for attorneys in the Giddings and Central Texas area through the State Bar's online directory.

Note: Texas does not issue marriage certificates as a standalone document. The marriage license, once returned and filed, is the official record. Only the Lee County Clerk can issue a certified copy.

Nearby Counties

Lee County is in central Texas near Austin. Surrounding counties each maintain their own marriage records.