Search Nolan County Marriage Records
Nolan County marriage records are on file with the County Clerk in Sweetwater. The clerk issues marriage licenses, keeps the official marriage index, and provides certified copies on request. Marriage records in Nolan County date back to 1881. Whether you are applying for a new license or searching for an older record, the County Clerk's office in Sweetwater is your starting point.
Nolan County Overview
Nolan County Clerk
The Nolan County Clerk is Sharla Keith. The office is at 100 East Third Street, Suite 108, Sweetwater, TX 79556. Phone: (325) 235-2462. Fax: (325) 235-4635. Email: sharla.keith@co.nolan.tx.us. The website is www.co.nolan.tx.us. The clerk handles all vital records for the county including marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates.
Nolan County was organized on August 21, 1876, from Taylor, Tom Green, and Young counties, though records here begin in 1881 when the county became sufficiently populated to maintain its own records. The county is named for Philip Nolan, an early American trader who explored the region. Sweetwater serves as the county seat and the location of all county clerk services.
| Office | Nolan County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Sharla Keith |
| Address | 100 East Third Street, Suite 108 Sweetwater, TX 79556 |
| Phone | (325) 235-2462 |
| Fax | (325) 235-4635 |
| sharla.keith@co.nolan.tx.us | |
| Website | co.nolan.tx.us |
Marriage License Application Process
Both applicants must go to the Nolan County Clerk's office together. Each needs a valid photo ID and Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both must be 18 or older. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, any Texas marriage license is valid for use anywhere in the state.
The standard fee is $81. After issuance, you must wait 72 hours before the ceremony. That waiting period comes from Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Active military members on active duty are exempt. A judge can also waive it for good cause. The other path is completing the Twogether in Texas premarital course. This free program takes about eight hours and gives you a certificate that reduces the fee to $21 and eliminates the wait. The certificate is valid for one year from completion.
The license is valid for 90 days. After 90 days, it expires. You cannot renew it. If you miss the window, you must apply again from scratch. Plan your ceremony date ahead of time to avoid that situation.
Getting Certified Copies
The Nolan County Clerk is the only office that can issue certified copies of Nolan County marriage records. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 onward and can issue a $20 verification letter. But DSHS cannot issue certified copies. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 194.004, that authority stays with the county clerk.
Contact the Nolan County Clerk in person or by mail for certified copies. Provide both parties' full names and the date of marriage. Call (325) 235-2462 first to confirm current fees and payment methods. Certified copies carry the official clerk's seal and signature and are accepted for legal name changes, government documents, insurance records, and similar uses.
Note: Texas does not issue marriage certificates. What exists is the marriage license and certified copies of it. These serve the same purpose and are legally equivalent to a certificate.
Nolan County Marriage Record History
Marriage records in Nolan County run from 1881 to the present. The county was organized in 1876 but active record-keeping here began in 1881. There are no major record losses on file for Nolan County, so the archive is reasonably intact for historical research.
For earlier research or genealogy work, FamilySearch has digitized marriage records from many Texas counties. Searching the FamilySearch catalog under Nolan County may surface older documents. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also holds some materials that cover early West Texas counties. For records after 1966, the DSHS statewide index is searchable for $20 per request.
Informal Marriage
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Nolan County who have been living together as spouses and representing to others that they are married can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office. This creates an official record with the same legal standing as a formal marriage license.
The three required elements are: an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and representing the relationship as a marriage to others. All three must exist. The declaration is the cleanest way to document it. Once on record, community property laws apply, and a formal divorce is required to dissolve the marriage. Without the declaration, informal marriage can still be established in court but requires more proof.
Nolan County Record Sources
The Nolan County Clerk's website is the official source for current contact information, office hours, and marriage license requirements in Sweetwater.
The county site is the right starting point before visiting the Sweetwater office or submitting a mail request for Nolan County marriage records.
Cities in Nolan County
Nolan County includes Sweetwater and nearby communities. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the Nolan County Clerk's office in Sweetwater.
No cities in Nolan County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage records are maintained at the county clerk's office in Sweetwater.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Nolan County. Each maintains separate marriage records at its own county clerk's office.