McMullen County Marriage Records

McMullen County marriage records are kept by the County Clerk in Tilden, Texas. The clerk issues marriage licenses, maintains the official county marriage index from 1877 onward, and provides certified copies of recorded licenses. McMullen County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, and the Tilden office handles all county vital records services from a single location.

McMullen County Clerk Office

The McMullen County Clerk can be reached by mail at P.O. Box 235, Tilden, TX 78072. The phone number is (512) 274-3215. McMullen County is a remote South Texas county, and the Tilden office is the sole location for county services. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and availability.

McMullen County was organized in 1858 from Bexar, Atascosa, and Live Oak counties. Tilden serves as the county seat. The county's marriage records begin in 1877. Before that year, this area was part of Live Oak County, so marriages recorded before 1877 in this geographic area may be found at the Live Oak County Clerk's office in George West. McMullen County's sparse population makes it one of Texas's more remote counties, and a call ahead before visiting is always advisable.

Getting a Marriage License in McMullen County

Both applicants must appear in person together at the McMullen County Clerk's office in Tilden. Each needs a valid photo ID and 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 McMullen County is valid anywhere in Texas.

The standard fee is $81. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay $21. Bring the completion certificate when you apply. It must be dated within one year of your application. Completing the course 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 per Section 2.201. It cannot be extended. Choose your ceremony date before you go to the clerk to be sure everything fits within the 90-day window.

Note: Because of McMullen County's rural location and small staff, calling (512) 274-3215 before making the trip to Tilden is strongly recommended.

Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of McMullen County marriage licenses come from the McMullen County Clerk. Call (512) 274-3215 to confirm the current fee and the best way to submit your request. Mail requests can be sent to P.O. Box 235, Tilden, TX 78072. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate marriage date, and payment.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 forward and can issue verification letters for $20. But only the McMullen County Clerk can issue a certified copy of a license recorded in this county. That copy carries the official seal and is accepted for name changes, government forms, insurance, and legal purposes.

For marriages predating 1877 in this area, the Live Oak County Clerk in George West holds records from when this territory was part of Live Oak County.

What Marriage Records Contain

McMullen 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, when and where the ceremony took place, and who officiated. Prior marriages and how they ended must also be disclosed.

Completed licenses are sent to the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit within 90 days. Both the county and state records are public. McMullen County's archive covers marriages from 1877 to the present, serving as the primary source for marriage records in this part of South Texas.

Informal Marriage Registration

Texas law allows informal marriage registration under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. At the McMullen County Clerk's office in Tilden, couples can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage. The declaration creates a public record with the same legal standing as a formal license and is the clearest way to document a common-law relationship officially in Texas.

Without a declaration, proving an informal marriage requires showing an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and holding out to others as married. A signed declaration removes that requirement. Contact the McMullen County Clerk at (512) 274-3215 to arrange signing the declaration in Tilden.

McMullen County Marriage Record Sources

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office provides statewide marriage index access and verification letters for marriages recorded in Texas from 1966 onward.

For certified copies of McMullen County marriage licenses, contact the county clerk directly in Tilden. The DSHS vital statistics page handles statewide index verification, while the county clerk holds the original licenses and issues certified copies.

Nearby Counties

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