Search Refugio County Marriage Records

Refugio County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Refugio. The clerk issues marriage licenses and holds certified copies of all marriages recorded in the county. If you need a license or a copy of an existing Refugio County marriage record, the county clerk's office is the right starting point. Marriage records in Refugio County date back to 1851, with some land records going back to 1835.

Refugio County Clerk Office

The Refugio County Clerk is Margie A. Castellano. The mailing address is P.O. Box 704, Refugio, TX 78377. The physical address is 808 Commerce St, Refugio, TX 78377. Phone numbers are (361) 526-2233 and (361) 526-2727. The fax is (361) 526-1325. Email is margie.castellano@co.refugio.tx.us. You can also reach the vital records team at refugio.countyclerk@co.refugio.tx.us. The county website is at co.refugio.tx.us.

To apply for a marriage license, you must first fill out the online marriage application on the county website, then call the office at (361) 526-2233 Ext 306 to schedule an appointment. Both applicants must appear in person at the appointment. Court filings are handled through the Texas eFile system. Online forms and payment systems are available through the county's official records search portal at refugio.tx.publicsearch.us.

Getting a Marriage License in Refugio County

The process in Refugio County starts online. Fill out the marriage application on the county website first, then call (361) 526-2233 Ext 306 to schedule an appointment. Both applicants must appear in person at the appointment. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, both parties must be at least 18 years old.

The standard fee is around $81. If you complete the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course, you pay about $21 when you present the certificate at your appointment. 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 must wait three days after getting the license before the ceremony.

Online forms are also available through the county website for the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License if you need a copy of an existing record rather than a new license.

Certified Copies of Refugio County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Refugio County marriage licenses are only available from the Refugio County Clerk. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide index from 1966 and issues $20 verification letters, but cannot provide certified copies. You must go to the county where the license was issued.

You can download the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License from the county website. Submit the completed form along with payment and a notarized copy of your ID if requesting by mail. The county also offers an online payment system and records search at refugio.tx.publicsearch.us. In-person requests can be made at 808 Commerce St in Refugio during regular business hours.

Note: A courthouse fire in January 1879 destroyed many early records. Marriage records available on file begin from 1851 for the records that survived, but there may be gaps near the 1879 fire period.

Historical Marriage Records in Refugio County

Refugio County has some of the deeper historical records in Texas. Marriage records begin in 1851, and some land records date back to 1835. Probate records go back to 1840. A courthouse fire in January 1879 destroyed many documents, but the records that predate and postdate the fire survive in the clerk's office.

Document copies through TexasFile begin from 1915 forward. For older records, contact the clerk directly or check FamilySearch, which has digitized many Texas county marriage record collections. The Library of Congress Texas vital records guide is another resource for genealogy research on old Refugio County marriages.

Informal Marriage in Refugio County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Refugio County can formalize a common law marriage by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the county clerk's office. Both parties must appear in person. The declaration creates a public record with the same legal standing as a formal marriage license.

Without a declaration, proving an informal marriage requires showing all three elements: an agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and public representation of the marriage. Once established, informal marriage carries full legal rights and requires a formal divorce to end. Contact the Refugio County Clerk for current fees and forms.

Refugio County Marriage Record Sources

The Refugio County Clerk page provides the online marriage application form, links to request certified copies, and contact information for scheduling your appointment at the courthouse.

The clerk page on the county website is where you start the marriage license application process in Refugio County, as appointment scheduling is required.

TexasFile provides a useful index of Refugio County records for preliminary research before you contact the clerk for certified copies or schedule a visit.

Cities in Refugio County

Refugio County includes the city of Refugio and surrounding communities. All marriage licenses for this area are issued through the Refugio County Clerk.

Communities in Refugio County include Refugio, Woodsboro, and Austwell. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage records for this area are on file with the Refugio County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Refugio County. Each county clerk maintains their own marriage records.