Orange County Marriage Records
Orange County marriage records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Orange, Texas. The clerk issues marriage licenses, maintains the official county marriage index, and provides certified copies on request. Records here date back to 1852, giving researchers access to more than 170 years of Orange County marriage documentation. Whether you need a new license or a certified copy of an older record, the Orange County Clerk is your starting point.
Orange County Overview
Orange County Clerk Office
The Orange County Clerk's office is at 123 South 6th St (also referenced as 801 W Division St), Orange, TX 77630. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1536, Orange, TX 77631. Phone: (409) 882-7055. Fax: (409) 882-7012. The website is www.co.orange.tx.us. The clerk handles marriage licenses, birth certificates, death certificates, and official records for the county.
Orange County offers an online records search through its website. The search covers recorded documents including marriage licenses. You can use it to locate a record before requesting a certified copy. The county was organized on January 5, 1852, from Jefferson County, and is named for the orange fruit grown by early settlers in the area. Despite a courthouse fire in April 1898, all records were stored in a vault and survived intact.
| Office | Orange County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 123 South 6th St Orange, TX 77630 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1536, Orange, TX 77631 |
| Phone | (409) 882-7055 |
| Fax | (409) 882-7012 |
| Website | co.orange.tx.us |
Getting a Marriage License in Orange County
Both applicants must appear in person together at the Orange County Clerk's office. Each person needs a valid, unexpired photo ID and Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both must be at least 18. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a license issued here can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Texas.
The standard fee is $81. Texas Family Code Section 2.204 requires a 72-hour waiting period after license issuance before the ceremony. Active military members on duty are exempt. A judge can issue a written waiver for good cause. The third option is completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education course. Twogether is free, takes about eight hours, reduces the fee to $21, and eliminates the waiting period. The certificate must be presented at application and be less than one year old.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. There is no extension option. If the ceremony does not happen before the expiration, you must apply and pay again. Set your ceremony date before going to the clerk's office.
Certified Copies of Orange County Marriage Records
Only the Orange County Clerk can issue certified copies of Orange County marriage licenses. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can verify marriage facts from its statewide index (1966 to present) for $20, but it cannot issue certified copies. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 194.004, certified copies must come from the county that issued the license.
You can search for records online through the county's records portal before requesting a copy. For in-person requests, visit the office at 123 South 6th St during regular business hours. For mail requests, include both parties' full names, the date of marriage, and payment. Call (409) 882-7055 first to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are accepted for name changes, insurance, government filings, and similar purposes.
Orange County Marriage Record History
Orange County marriage records go back to 1852. A courthouse fire on April 14, 1898, destroyed the 1884 courthouse building, but all county records were stored in a vault and survived without harm. That means the Orange County marriage archive is intact from 1852 forward, which is a notable preservation story for an East Texas county of that age.
The county's online records portal covers documents from more recent decades. For older records, the clerk's office can assist with manual searches. FamilySearch has digitized microfilm from many East Texas counties. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission may hold materials relevant to Orange County's early history. The DSHS statewide index covers marriages from 1966 to present.
Informal Marriage in Orange County
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Orange County who meet the legal requirements can sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office. This gives the relationship official legal standing, identical to a formal marriage license.
Three things must all be present: an agreement to be married, living together in Texas as spouses, and representing to others that the two are married. Without the declaration, these facts can still be proven in court, but documenting them in advance is far easier. Once the declaration is on file, the marriage carries all community property rights and obligations. Ending it requires a formal divorce proceeding.
Orange County Record Sources
The Orange County Clerk's website provides access to the online records search, office contact information, and details on marriage license services in Orange.
Use the county website to search for existing Orange County marriage records online or to get current office hours and fee information before visiting or sending a mail request.
Cities in Orange County
Orange County includes the city of Orange and surrounding communities along the Sabine River. All marriage licenses for residents of these areas are issued and recorded at the Orange County Clerk's office.
No cities in Orange County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Marriage records for all communities in the county are on file with the Orange County Clerk in Orange.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Orange County. Marriage records for each area are kept at the respective county clerk's office.