Reeves County Marriage Records
Reeves County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Pecos, the county seat. The clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps certified copies of all marriages recorded in the county. If you need a marriage license or a copy of an existing Reeves County marriage record, the county clerk in Pecos is your source. Reeves County is in far west Texas, bordering the Pecos River corridor.
Reeves County Overview
Reeves County Clerk Office
The Reeves County Clerk is located at the county courthouse in Pecos, Texas. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm current phone numbers, office hours, and any specific requirements before visiting or mailing a request. Pecos is the county seat and serves as the hub for all county record-keeping, including marriage licenses and vital records.
Reeves County was formed in 1883 from Pecos County and other territory in west Texas. It is a large county by area, covering a significant stretch of the Trans-Pecos region. The county clerk handles marriage licenses, vital records, property recordings, and other official records. For records older than what is available online, contact the clerk directly.
| Office | Reeves County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Pecos, TX |
| Texas DSHS Index | dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics |
Getting a Marriage License in Reeves County
Both applicants must appear in person together at the Reeves County Clerk's office in Pecos. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both parties must be at least 18 years old. People under 18 need a court order before they can apply.
The standard fee in Texas is $81. If both of you complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course, the fee drops to around $21 when you show the certificate. The certificate must be current within one year. Completing the program also waives the 72-hour waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Without it, you wait three full days after getting the license before the ceremony can happen.
A Reeves County marriage license is valid for 90 days. It can be used anywhere in Texas, not just in Reeves County. If it expires before you use it, start the process over.
Certified Copies of Reeves County Marriage Records
Certified copies of Reeves County marriage licenses can only come from the Reeves County Clerk. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide marriage index from 1966 forward and issues $20 verification letters but cannot provide certified copies. The county clerk where the license was filed is the only source for certified copies.
VitalChek is an authorized third-party processor for some Texas vital records. They work with government agencies to handle online orders. For Reeves County, contact the county clerk directly to find out if VitalChek or another online option is available, or to submit a request by mail or in person.
When requesting by mail, include the full names of both parties, approximate marriage date, and your payment. Call the county clerk to confirm current fees before sending your request.
What Reeves County Marriage Records Contain
Reeves County marriage license applications include both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The record shows when the license was issued, the ceremony date, where it took place, and who performed it. Prior marriages and how they ended are also part of the record.
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk must send a copy of each completed marriage license application to the state vital statistics unit within 90 days. The statewide index is searchable by both parties' names. Both county and state records are public documents that anyone can access with enough identifying information.
Informal Marriage in Reeves County
Texas recognizes informal marriage under Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Reeves 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.
Alternatively, an informal marriage can be established without a declaration by proving three elements: an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and public representation of the marriage. All three must exist at the same time. Once established, informal marriage carries the same rights and obligations as a formal marriage. A formal divorce is required to end it.
Reeves County Marriage Record Sources
TexasFile's directory can help with initial research on Reeves County marriage records before you contact the county clerk for certified copies or license applications.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains the statewide marriage index and can provide verification letters for marriages recorded statewide from 1966 to present. Contact them if you need to verify a marriage from that period across all Texas counties.
The statewide DSHS index is a useful resource for verification, but for certified copies of Reeves County marriage licenses, the county clerk in Pecos remains the only official source.
Cities in Reeves County
Reeves County includes Pecos and surrounding communities. All marriage licenses for this area are issued by the Reeves County Clerk in Pecos.
The main city in Reeves County is Pecos. Other small communities are scattered across this large west Texas county. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage records for the area are on file with the Reeves County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Reeves County. Each has its own clerk handling marriage records.