Find Marriage Records in San Augustine County

San Augustine County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in the city of San Augustine. The clerk issues marriage licenses, files completed returns, and provides certified copies to people who need them. If you need to search for a marriage that took place in this East Texas county, the clerk's office is where you start.

San Augustine County Clerk

The County Clerk office in San Augustine is the official keeper of marriage records for this county. The clerk handles all marriage license applications, receives completed license returns after ceremonies, and provides certified copies. You must come to this office to get a certified copy of a marriage license issued here. The state does not issue certified copies.

San Augustine County has records going back to the county's early years. For genealogy research or legal purposes, the clerk can tell you what records are on file and how far back they go. Some older records may also be available through FamilySearch, which has digitized many Texas county collections.

The San Augustine County official website has contact details and office information for the clerk's department.

Check the county website for current hours and any updated contact information before visiting in person.

Marriage License Requirements

To get a marriage license in San Augustine County, both parties must appear in person at the clerk's office. You cannot use a proxy. Each person must show a valid government-issued photo ID and provide their Social Security number. Texas law requires this under Texas Family Code Chapter 2. Bring your driver's license, passport, or military ID. Expired documents are not accepted.

The standard fee for a marriage license is $81.00 for Texas residents. If neither applicant lives in Texas, the fee is $181.00. Completing the free Twogether in Texas premarital education course reduces the fee to approximately $21.00. The certificate from that program also waives the 72-hour waiting period that normally applies after a license is issued.

Under Section 2.204, Texas requires couples to wait 72 hours after receiving a license before the ceremony. This can be waived with a Twogether certificate, by a judge's order, or if one party is active military. Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days per Section 2.201. You must use it before it expires or apply again.

Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of San Augustine County marriage licenses must be ordered from the County Clerk. The state office in Austin does not issue certified copies. Only the county where the license was originally issued can provide them.

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of marriages since 1966 and can provide a verification letter for $20.00. This confirms a marriage is on record but is not a certified copy. For certified copies, you need to contact the San Augustine County Clerk directly. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date or year of marriage when you make your request.

Requests can be made in person or by mail. Mail requests should include a check or money order for the fee, the names of both parties, and the marriage date. Call the clerk's office to confirm current fees before sending payment. You can also check whether VitalChek processes orders for San Augustine County online.

The Texas DSHS vital statistics page explains what the state can and cannot provide, and lists acceptable ways to submit record requests.

DSHS handles statewide verification; the county clerk handles certified copies specific to San Augustine County.

Informal Marriage Records

Texas law recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples can make their informal marriage part of the public record by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office. Both parties must appear in person to sign the declaration.

Three elements must exist: an agreement to be married, living together in Texas as spouses, and representing to others that you are married. No time period is required. Once established, an informal marriage carries the same legal weight as a formal ceremonial marriage. You need a formal divorce to end it. Filing the declaration creates a paper record that can be useful for legal and financial matters.

Note: Contact the San Augustine County Clerk directly for the current fee to file a Declaration of Informal Marriage.

Additional Resources

Beyond the county clerk, several resources can help with marriage record searches. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds historical vital records and can assist with research into early Texas marriage records. FamilySearch provides free access to digitized records from many Texas counties, including marriage registers from early periods.

The CDC vital records guide for Texas explains the difference between what the state can provide and what must come from the county. It also lists the current fee for state verification requests and the mailing address for DSHS. The guide confirms that only county clerks can issue certified marriage license copies in Texas.

The Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194 sets out how county clerks report marriage data to the state and how the statewide index is maintained. Understanding this helps explain why some records show up in state searches while others require direct county contact.

Cities in San Augustine County

San Augustine County is a small, rural county. The city of San Augustine is the county seat. No communities in this county meet the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

If the marriage you are searching for may have been filed in a neighboring county, check the offices listed below.