Lipscomb County Marriage Records
Lipscomb County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Lipscomb, the county seat of this small Texas Panhandle county. You can apply for a new marriage license or request copies of past marriage records at the clerk's office. Records here go back to 1887 when the county was organized.
Lipscomb County Overview
Lipscomb County Clerk
The Lipscomb County Clerk handles all marriage licenses and vital records for this Panhandle county. The office is located in Lipscomb, a small town along the Oklahoma border. Being a small county, the clerk's office handles all county functions including elections and property records in addition to vital records. Call ahead before visiting to confirm office hours.
Lipscomb County was organized in August 1876 from the Bexar Land District. Marriage records begin from 1887. The county is named for Abner S. Lipscomb, a Texas Supreme Court justice. The county seat, also called Lipscomb, sits near the Canadian River in the northern Panhandle.
| Office | Lipscomb County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 South Main St, Lipscomb, TX 79056 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 70, Lipscomb, TX 79056 |
| Phone | (806) 862-3091 |
| Fax | (806) 862-3090 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Lipscomb County website has basic contact information and links to county services.
Because this is a small county office, calling ahead is a good idea to make sure staff are available for your visit.
Marriage Licenses in Lipscomb County
Both applicants must appear at the County Clerk's office together to apply. You need a valid photo ID and Social Security number. The license is issued that day after you pay the fee. Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony under Texas Family Code Section 2.204. The license is valid for 90 days.
The Twogether in Texas premarital program is free and can waive the 72-hour wait while also saving $60 on the license fee. Bring the completion certificate when you apply. The program has courses available online and in many Texas communities.
| Standard Fee | $82 (approximately) |
|---|---|
| With Twogether in Texas | $22 |
| Waiting Period | 72 hours |
| License Valid | 90 days |
Marriage Record Copies in Lipscomb County
Certified copies of Lipscomb County marriage licenses come only from the County Clerk. The state maintains a marriage index from 1966 onward but cannot issue certified copies. To request a copy, visit the clerk in person or send a written request with both parties' names and the marriage year. A fee applies per copy.
The Texas Department of State Health Services charges $20 for a marriage verification letter. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the clerk files a copy of each application with the state within 90 days. Historical records before 1966 are only available at the county level.
What Lipscomb County Marriage Records Show
Texas marriage license applications record full names, birth dates, residences, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history for both applicants. After the ceremony, the signed returned license adds the ceremony date and officiant information. These records are public. Anyone can request them from the county clerk.
Informal Marriage in Lipscomb County
Texas allows registration of informal (common law) marriages by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.401, you need an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as a couple, and public representation of the marriage. Both parties must appear together. The declaration creates a legal record with full standing in Texas law.
How Marriages Are Filed and Recorded in Lipscomb County
When a couple marries in Lipscomb County, the process starts at the clerk's office in Lipscomb. Both parties appear in person, fill out the application, and pay the fee. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk. The clerk records the ceremony date and the officiant's information. That completed document becomes the official permanent county record.
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the clerk must file a copy of each application with the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit within 90 days. This is how the statewide marriage index is built. The state index can verify a marriage happened but cannot issue certified copies. Only the Lipscomb County Clerk can do that.
To request a certified copy by mail from Lipscomb County, write to P.O. Box 70, Lipscomb, TX 79056. Include both parties' full names, the year of the marriage, and your return contact information. Attach payment for the copy fee. Call (806) 862-3091 to confirm the fee before sending. Because this is a small rural office, calling ahead is a good idea for any request.
For legal help, visit Texas Law Help or call the State Bar referral line at (800) 252-9690. The Texas Bar website has a find-a-lawyer tool for Panhandle attorneys.
Nearby Counties
Lipscomb County is in the Texas Panhandle near the Oklahoma border. Surrounding counties maintain separate marriage records.