Loving County Marriage Records

Loving County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Mentone, Texas. The clerk's office handles marriage license applications, issues certified copies of recorded licenses, and maintains the official index of all marriages in the county. Loving County is the least populous county in the contiguous United States, so the office is small, but it provides the same services as any Texas county clerk under state law.

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Loving County Clerk Office

The Loving County Clerk is located at 100 Bell Street in Mentone, the county seat. The office handles marriage licenses and official county records. Call (432) 377-2441 to confirm hours before visiting, as office availability in a very small county can vary.

Office	Loving County Clerk
Address	100 Bell St Mentone, TX 79754
Phone	(432) 377-2441
Website	co.loving.tx.us

Loving County is unique in Texas. With fewer than 100 residents, it holds the distinction of being the least populated county in the entire contiguous United States. The county seat of Mentone is a small community in West Texas, near the New Mexico border. Despite its size, the county functions under the same legal framework as every other Texas county, and all marriage license requirements apply here just as elsewhere.

Getting a Marriage License in Loving County

Both applicants must appear together in person at the Loving County Clerk's office in Mentone. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both must be at least 18 years old. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Loving County is valid anywhere in the state.

The standard fee is $81. Texas offers a discount for couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program. That course reduces the fee to $21. You must bring the completion certificate to the clerk when you apply. The certificate must be dated within one year of your application. It also waives the 72-hour waiting period required by Section 2.204, which otherwise means you must wait three full days after getting the license before the ceremony can take place.

Under Section 2.201 of the Texas Family Code, the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not marry within that window, the license expires. There is no way to extend it. Plan your ceremony date before visiting the clerk to make sure your timeline fits.

Note: Because Loving County is so small and remote, it is wise to call ahead before making the trip to Mentone to confirm the clerk is available to assist you that day.

Loving County Marriage Record History

Loving County has an unusual history that affects its marriage records. The county was first organized in 1887 but dissolved in 1897 because it did not have enough population to sustain a functioning government. It was reorganized in 1931. This means there is a gap in all county records, including marriage records, from 1897 to 1931. No records exist for that period because there was no county government to create or maintain them.

Marriage records in Loving County date from 1931, when the county was reorganized. If you are researching a marriage that might have occurred in this area before 1931, you would need to check neighboring counties such as Winkler or Ward, which may have had jurisdiction over residents in this part of West Texas during that period. The county clerk in Mentone can advise on where to look for pre-reorganization records.

Certified Copies of Loving County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Loving County marriage licenses come from the Loving County Clerk. The Texas Department of State Health Services also maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 forward and can issue a verification letter for $20, but only the county that issued the license can provide a certified copy.

To request a copy from the Loving County Clerk, contact the office at (432) 377-2441. You will need to provide the full names of both parties and an approximate date of the marriage. The clerk can advise on the current fee and whether you can submit the request by mail or must come in person. Given the remote location of Mentone, mail requests are often the most practical option for those who do not live nearby.

Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are legally accepted for name changes, government filings, and other purposes that require proof of marriage. Plain copies are also available at a lower cost if you only need them for personal reference.

What the Marriage License Contains

A Loving County marriage license follows the state-prescribed format set by Texas law. The record includes both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. It shows when the license was issued, the date and location of the ceremony, and who performed it. Any prior marriages and how they ended are also listed on the application.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code provisions, the county clerk sends a copy of the completed license to the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit within 90 days of the application. DSHS incorporates it into the statewide index, which can be searched by name for marriages from 1966 onward. The county retains the original license, and both the county and state records are public.

Informal Marriage Registration

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples can register an informal marriage at the Loving County Clerk's office by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage. This creates a public record with the same legal standing as a formal marriage license and is the simplest way to document a common-law relationship officially.

Without a signed declaration, an informal marriage can still be established in Texas if all three elements are present: an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and holding out to others as married. However, proving these elements without documentation can be difficult. The declaration removes that uncertainty and gives you a clear, searchable public record.