Find Marriage Records in Navarro County
Navarro County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Corsicana. The clerk's office handles all marriage license issuance, maintains the official county index, and provides certified copies of Navarro County marriage records to those who need them. Records in Navarro County go back to 1846, giving researchers access to nearly 180 years of local marriage history.
Navarro County Overview
Navarro County Clerk
The Navarro County Clerk's office is at 300 West 3rd Ave, Corsicana, TX 75110. The mailing address is P.O. Box 423, Corsicana, TX 75151. Phone: (903) 654-3035. The website is www.co.navarro.tx.us. The clerk maintains marriage licenses, official public records, and other vital statistics for the county.
Navarro County was organized on April 25, 1846, and named for José Antonio Navarro, a leader of the Texas Revolution. Marriage records in the county date back to that founding year. The clerk's office is the single source for certified copies of any marriage license issued here. All requests for copies must go through this office, whether in person, by mail, or through any available online portal.
| Office | Navarro County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 West 3rd Ave Corsicana, TX 75110 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 423, Corsicana, TX 75151 |
| Phone | (903) 654-3035 |
| Website | co.navarro.tx.us |
Applying for a Marriage License
Both applicants must appear in person at the Navarro County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Proxies are not permitted for formal licenses. Each person needs a valid, unexpired photo ID. Social Security numbers are required. No blood test is needed. Both must be at least 18. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued in Navarro County is valid for a ceremony anywhere in the state.
The standard fee is $81. Couples who complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course pay just $21 and also skip the 72-hour waiting period that Section 2.204 normally requires. The Twogether certificate must be presented at time of application and must be less than one year old. The program covers communication, finances, and relationship skills. Classes are offered throughout Texas by certified providers.
Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days. If you do not marry within that period, it expires. There is no way to extend it. Plan the ceremony date before going to the clerk to avoid having to start the process over.
Note: Texas does not issue marriage certificates. The license itself is the legal record. Certified copies of the license serve the same purpose as a marriage certificate in other states.
Certified Copies of Navarro County Marriage Records
Only the Navarro County Clerk can issue certified copies of marriage licenses filed in Navarro County. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section holds a statewide index from 1966 forward and can provide a $20 verification letter, but it cannot issue certified copies. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 194.004, the state bureau of vital statistics is specifically barred from issuing certified marriage copies.
To request a certified copy from Navarro County, contact the clerk's office in person or by mail. Send the names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and payment. Call the office at (903) 654-3035 to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods before mailing a request. Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature and are accepted for legal name changes, insurance updates, and other official purposes.
Historical Marriage Records in Navarro County
Navarro County marriage records go back to 1846. That is a long run of continuous documentation, though there was a partial disruption in October 1855 when a courthouse fire destroyed some district clerk records. The county clerk marriage records were not all lost, but researchers should be aware that some documents from that era may be incomplete.
For genealogy work, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds some historical Texas marriage records, especially for the Republic of Texas period. FamilySearch has digitized microfilm from many Texas counties, including Navarro. Searching the FamilySearch catalog for Navarro County may turn up older records not easily available elsewhere. The statewide DSHS index covers 1966 to present for more recent research needs.
Informal Marriage in Navarro County
Texas law allows couples to register an informal marriage, sometimes called common law marriage, at the county clerk's office. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.401, couples in Navarro County can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the clerk's office to create an official public record.
To qualify for informal marriage, three things must all be true: the couple agreed to be married, they lived together in Texas as spouses, and they represented to others that they were married. All three elements are required. The declaration is the easiest way to document this. Without it, the couple would need to prove those elements in court if the relationship is ever legally contested. The informal marriage declaration is a public record just like a formal license. Dissolving it later requires a full divorce proceeding.
Navarro County Record Resources
The Navarro County Clerk's website provides contact information and guidance on how to apply for marriage licenses and request certified copies of marriage records.
The county website is the best starting point before visiting the office in Corsicana or sending a mail request for Navarro County marriage records.
Cities in Navarro County
Navarro County includes Corsicana and several smaller communities. Marriage licenses for all residents are issued by the Navarro County Clerk in Corsicana.
No cities in Navarro County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage records for the county are maintained at the county clerk's office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Navarro County. Each keeps its own marriage records at the county clerk's office.