Find Marriage Records in Starr County
Starr County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Rio Grande City. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, holds certified copies, and keeps the official index of all marriages in the county. If you need to find or get a copy of Starr County marriage records, the clerk in Rio Grande City is your source.
Starr County Overview
Starr County Clerk Office
The Starr County Clerk handles marriage licenses and all vital records in Rio Grande City. Starr County is a South Texas border county along the Rio Grande. The clerk's office is located at the courthouse in Rio Grande City and is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. You need a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. The fee for Texas residents is $81. If neither party is a Texas resident, the fee is $181.
| Office | Starr County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Rio Grande City, TX |
| Website | co.starr.tx.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
Applying for a Marriage License in Starr County
Both parties must come to the clerk's office together. No blood test is needed. Each applicant must be 18 or older. A court order is required for anyone under 18. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military card. Both parties also need to provide their Social Security numbers.
Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a 72-hour waiting period applies after the license is issued. Your license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital course reduces the fee significantly and waives the waiting period. The Twogether certificate must be dated within one year of your application.
If you were recently divorced, there is a 30-day waiting period after the divorce is final before a new license can be issued, unless a court waives it.
Certified Copies of Starr County Marriage Records
Certified copies of Starr County marriage licenses must come from the Starr County Clerk in Rio Grande City. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section holds a statewide index going back to 1966 and can issue a verification letter for $20, but it does not issue certified copies. Only the issuing county can do that.
Contact the clerk's office directly to request a certified copy. You will need the full legal names of both parties and the date of the marriage. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Mail requests should include full identifying information and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Informal Marriage Registration in Starr County
Starr County couples can register an informal marriage by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the County Clerk's office. Under Texas Family Code Section 2.401, a registered informal marriage has full legal standing. Both parties must appear and sign. The fee is typically $46.
An informal marriage can also be established without registration if the three statutory elements are met: agreement to be married, cohabitation in Texas as spouses, and holding out to others as being married. Registering eliminates disputes. Without a declaration, proving the marriage can require court proceedings.
Texas Statewide Marriage Index
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section keeps a statewide marriage index from January 1966 to the present. Verification letters cost $20 each. Order online through Texas.gov or by mail using Form VS-142.9 to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Call (888) 963-7111 with questions.
Processing times vary: same-day for walk-ins in Austin, 15-20 business days online, and 6-8 weeks by regular mail. Keep in mind this is a verification only. Starr County Clerk is your source for the actual certified copy of any marriage license issued in the county.
Starr County Marriage Record Sources
The Starr County main website provides contact information for the County Clerk and other county departments in Rio Grande City.
The county site lists office hours, phone numbers, and links to county services for residents of Rio Grande City and the surrounding area.
Cities in Starr County
Starr County includes Rio Grande City and surrounding South Texas communities. All marriage licenses in the county are issued through the Starr County Clerk's office.
No cities in Starr County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All marriage record requests should go to the county clerk in Rio Grande City.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Starr County. Each county clerk maintains its own marriage records.