Tarrant County Marriage Records

Tarrant County marriage records are on file with County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson in Fort Worth. The office issues marriage licenses, stores certified copies, and keeps the official record of every marriage in the county. With multiple locations across the county, getting Tarrant County marriage records is convenient for residents across the area.

Tarrant County Clerk Vital Records

County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson leads the office. The main location for vital records is the Plaza Building at 200 Taylor Street, 3rd Floor, Fort Worth, Texas 76196. Call (817) 884-1550 for assistance. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tarrant County was the first county in Texas certified for a remote marriage process.

The office operates six subcourthouse locations to serve the large population across the county. These are in Arlington, Hurst (Northeast), Lake Worth (Northwest), Mansfield, Southlake, and Southwest Fort Worth. Not all locations handle all services. Call before visiting an annex to confirm it handles marriage licenses or certified copy requests.

Getting a Marriage License in Tarrant County

Both applicants must appear in person at a Tarrant County clerk location that handles marriage licenses. Each person needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. No blood test is required. Both parties must be at least 18 years old.

The standard fee is $81. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a 72-hour waiting period applies before the ceremony can happen. The license is valid for 90 days. Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital course reduces the fee to about $21 and waives the 72-hour wait. Bring the course certificate when you apply. It must have been issued within the past year.

If divorced within the last 30 days, a court waiver is required before a new license can be issued. Active-duty military members are exempt from the waiting period.

Certified Copies of Tarrant County Marriage Records

The fee for certified copies is $21 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy purchased at the same time (effective September 1, 2024). You can get copies in person at any Tarrant County Vital Records location, by mail to the Fort Worth office at 200 Taylor St., Ste. 301, Fort Worth, Texas 76196, or online through the Official Records Search or VitalChek.

Mail requests need the date of marriage and the full names of both parties. A $20 search fee is charged if no record is found. Online requests through VitalChek are also available. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can issue a $20 verification letter but does not provide certified copies. For a certified copy, Tarrant County is your only source if the license was issued here.

Certified copies carry the official county seal and are legally accepted for name changes, government filings, and other legal purposes. Plain copies are also available at a lower cost for personal use.

Tarrant County Remote Marriage Process

Tarrant County was the first county in Texas to receive certification for a remote marriage process. This allows couples in some situations to complete part of the marriage license process online or remotely, rather than requiring both parties to be physically present at the same time. Contact the clerk's office directly for current details on how this process works and whether it applies to your situation.

Even with the remote option, Texas law still requires a valid photo ID and Social Security number for both parties. The 72-hour waiting period and 90-day validity rules still apply unless you have a Twogether certificate or qualify for a military exemption. The remote process does not change the underlying legal requirements under Family Code Chapter 2.

Informal Marriage in Tarrant County

Texas recognizes informal marriage under Texas Family Code Section 2.401. Couples in Tarrant County can register an informal marriage at the clerk's office by signing a Declaration of Informal Marriage. This creates a public record with the same legal standing as a formal license. The fee is typically $46.

Given Tarrant County's large population, the clerk's courts see informal marriage cases regularly. If you want an official record of an informal relationship, the Declaration of Informal Marriage at the clerk's office is the direct path. Without a declaration, proving an informal marriage requires showing a court that three elements existed: agreement to be married, cohabitation as spouses in Texas, and holding out to others as married.

Tarrant County Marriage Record Sources

The Tarrant County Clerk Vital Records page provides details on all vital records services, office locations, and how to request marriage licenses across the county.

The vital records page lists all subcourthouse locations across Tarrant County and the services available at each one, including marriage license issuance and certified copy requests.

The Tarrant County certified copy page details the fee schedule effective September 2024 and the methods available for ordering certified copies of marriage licenses.

The certified copy page covers all current fees, required information, and ordering options including in-person, mail, and online through VitalChek.

Cities in Tarrant County

Tarrant County includes Fort Worth and several major cities. Marriage licenses for all communities in the county are issued and recorded at Tarrant County Clerk locations.

Other communities in Tarrant County include Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Keller, and Southlake. Marriage records for all of these areas are on file with the Tarrant County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tarrant County. Marriage records for those areas are kept at each county's own clerk office.