Mason County Marriage Records Search

Mason County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in the city of Mason. The clerk issues marriage licenses, maintains the official marriage index, and provides certified copies of recorded licenses. Marriage records in Mason County date back to 1858, and notably all records survived the February 2021 courthouse fire intact because they were stored in fire-proof vaults.

Mason County Clerk Office

The Mason County Clerk is at 201 Fort McKavitt in Mason. The mailing address is P.O. Box 702, Mason, TX 76856. Call (325) 347-5253 or fax (325) 347-6459. The office handles marriage licenses and all official county records. Visit the county website at co.mason.tx.us for current office hours and service information.

Mason County was organized in 1858 from lands of Bexar, Gillespie, and Kimble counties. The Texas Hill Country county is known for its scenic landscape and its German heritage communities. The courthouse in Mason was the site of a notable event in February 2021 when a fire broke out and damaged the building. However, all county records, including marriage records dating back to 1858, were stored in fire-proof vaults and were not lost or damaged. The records archive remains complete.

Getting a Marriage License in Mason County

Both applicants must appear together in person at the Mason County Clerk's office. Each needs a valid photo ID and Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both must be at least 18. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, the license is valid for use anywhere in Texas after it is issued in Mason County.

The standard fee is $81. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program pay only $21. You must present the course completion certificate at the time you apply. It must be within one year of your application date. The certificate also waives the 72-hour waiting period under Section 2.204. Without it, you must wait three full days after getting the license before the ceremony can be held.

The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date under Section 2.201. If you do not marry within that time, the license expires. There is no extension. Lock in your ceremony date before applying to avoid any timeline problems.

Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of Mason County marriage licenses come from the Mason County Clerk. Contact the office at (325) 347-5253 to confirm the current fee and the best way to submit your request. You can also write to P.O. Box 702, Mason, TX 76856. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, and payment. Mail requests are practical for those not near the Hill Country town of Mason.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit maintains a statewide index from 1966 forward and offers verification letters for $20. But a certified copy with legal standing must come from the Mason County Clerk. That copy carries the official seal and is accepted for name changes, government filings, and other legal purposes.

What Mason County Marriage Records Contain

Mason County marriage license applications follow the Texas state format. 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 officiated. Prior marriages and how they ended are also documented.

Completed licenses are sent to the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit within 90 days. Both the county record and the state index are public. Mason County's records go back to 1858, with a complete and intact archive due to the fire-proof storage that protected the records in the 2021 courthouse fire.

Note: Some sources list the Mason County records start date as 1877. The clerk's office can clarify which records are available for specific date ranges within the archive.

Informal Marriage Registration

Texas law allows informal marriage registration under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Mason County can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the clerk's office in Mason. This creates a public record with the same legal standing as a formal marriage license and is the clearest way to document a common-law relationship officially.

Without a declaration, proving an informal marriage in Texas requires showing three elements: an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and representing to others that you are married. A signed declaration removes that burden. The Mason County Clerk can provide the form at the office on Fort McKavitt.

Mason County Marriage Record Sources

The Mason County Clerk website provides contact information, office hours, and details about marriage license services in Mason.

Use the Mason County website to confirm current fees and hours before visiting the office or sending a mail request for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

Marriage records for these neighboring counties are filed at each county's own clerk office.