Midland County Marriage Records

Midland County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk at the courthouse in Midland. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, records them, and keeps certified copies available to the public. Whether you need a license to get married or a copy of an existing record, the Midland County Clerk is your primary source for marriage records in this county. Records go back to 1885 when the county was first organized.

Midland County Clerk Office

The Midland County Clerk handles marriage licenses and vital records at 500 North Loraine, Suite 101, in Midland. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the office by phone at (432) 688-4401 or by fax at (432) 688-4406. The county website is available at co.midland.tx.us for additional information on forms and procedures.

Midland County was organized in 1885 and carved out of Tom Green County. Marriage records in the county date back to that same year. The clerk's office maintains the official index for all marriages recorded in Midland County and is the only source for certified copies of those records.

Getting a Marriage License in Midland County

Both parties must appear together in person at the Midland County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. No blood test is required. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Anyone under 18 needs a court order removing disabilities of minority before applying.

The standard fee is around $81. If both you and your partner complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops by $60. You pay only about $21 when you show that certificate at the time you apply. The certificate must be current within one year. It also waives the standard 72-hour waiting period that Section 2.204 of the Texas Family Code requires. Without it, you must wait three full days after getting the license before the ceremony.

The license is valid for 90 days. If you do not marry within that window, it expires. You would need to start the process over. A Midland County license is valid for use anywhere in Texas, not just in Midland County.

Certified Copies of Midland County Marriage Records

Only the Midland County Clerk can issue certified copies of marriage licenses filed in Midland County. The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index from 1966 forward but can only issue verification letters, not certified copies. If your license was recorded in Midland County, you must go to the county clerk for a certified copy.

You can request copies in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Mail requests are also accepted. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and your payment. Contact the office at (432) 688-4401 to confirm current fees and the accepted forms of payment before sending your request.

Certified copies carry the county clerk's official seal. They are the form accepted for name changes, government filings, insurance updates, and similar legal purposes. Plain copies are available at a lower cost if you just need one for personal reference.

What Midland County Marriage Licenses Include

A Midland County marriage license application follows the format set by the state. It lists both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record also shows when the license was issued, the date of the ceremony, where it was held, and who performed it. Any prior marriages and how they ended are part of the record as well.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk is required to send a copy of each completed marriage license application to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days. That copy becomes part of the statewide index. The county keeps the original. Both records are public.

Note: Texas does not issue marriage certificates as a separate document. The marriage license itself is the official legal record of the marriage.

Informal Marriage in Midland County

Texas recognizes informal marriage, also called common law marriage, under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Midland County can register an informal marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office. This creates a public record with the same legal standing as a standard marriage license.

To establish an informal marriage without a declaration, a couple must prove three things: they agreed to be married, they lived together in Texas as spouses, and they held themselves out to others as married. All three elements must be present. The seven-year cohabitation myth has no basis in Texas law. Once established, informal marriage carries the same rights and duties as a formal marriage. You must go through a formal divorce to end it.

Historical Marriage Records in Midland County

Midland County marriage records begin in 1885. The county was carved out of Tom Green County that same year, so earlier records for the area would be found with Tom Green County. The Midland County Clerk holds the local records from 1885 forward.

For older genealogy research, FamilySearch has digitized microfilm collections that include Texas county marriage records. The Library of Congress Texas vital records guide also points to resources for genealogical research. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds some historical records that predate county systems.

The statewide index maintained by DSHS covers marriages from 1966 forward. For records before that, contact the Midland County Clerk directly.

Midland County Marriage Record Sources

The Midland County Clerk website provides information about marriage licenses, office hours, and procedures for requesting records at the courthouse on North Loraine.

The county clerk's site outlines the requirements for getting a marriage license and the steps for requesting certified copies of Midland County marriage records.

The City of Midland portal offers additional local resources and links to county services for residents looking for marriage record information.

The city portal can help you find local offices and services, including links back to county clerk resources for marriage licenses and records.

Cities in Midland County

Midland County is home to the city of Midland and surrounding communities. All marriage licenses for this area are issued through the Midland County Clerk's office.

Other communities in Midland County include smaller towns and unincorporated areas. Marriage records for all of these areas are on file with the Midland County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Midland County. Each county clerk handles marriage records for their own area.