Upshur County Marriage Records

Upshur County marriage records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Gilmer. If you need to find a marriage license, request a certified copy, or apply for a new license, the County Clerk is the right place to start. This page covers how the process works, what fees apply, and where to search records in Upshur County, Texas.

Upshur County Clerk Office

The County Clerk in Gilmer handles all marriage license applications and record requests for Upshur County. Clerk Terri Ross and staff can help you apply for a license, search existing records, or get a certified copy of a recorded marriage. The office also maintains a self-service website where you can start your marriage license application online before your in-person visit.

Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office in person to complete the application. You need to bring valid photo identification and your Social Security number. The office is located at 405 North Titus Street, second floor, in Gilmer.

The Upshur County Clerk website provides access to the self-service marriage application portal and other record request options.

The clerk page shows services available online and in person at the Gilmer courthouse.

How to Get a Marriage License in Upshur County

Getting a marriage license in Upshur County is straightforward. Both people must go to the clerk's office together. You each need a valid, current photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. You also need to provide your Social Security number. If you don't have one, you must provide a signed statement to that effect.

Under Texas Family Code Chapter 2, a marriage license is required for any ceremonial marriage in Texas. The license you get in Upshur County can be used anywhere in the state. You do not have to marry in Upshur County just because you got your license there.

If either applicant was previously divorced, the divorce must have been final for at least 30 days before you can apply. A judge can waive this requirement in some cases. Bring your divorce decree if this applies to you, as staff may ask to confirm the date.

Once you pay the fee and the clerk issues the license, a 72-hour waiting period begins. Under Texas Family Code § 2.204, you cannot hold the ceremony until those 72 hours have passed. The license is valid for 90 days under Texas Family Code § 2.201. If you don't use it within 90 days, it expires and you must apply again.

Upshur County Marriage License Fees

The standard fee for a marriage license in Upshur County is $81.00. If neither party is a Texas resident, the fee goes up to $181.00. These fees are set under state law and collected by the county clerk.

You can lower the cost by completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education program. Couples who complete this free, state-approved course get a certificate they can bring to the clerk's office. The certificate reduces the license fee significantly and also waives the 72-hour waiting period. That means you can marry on the same day you pick up the license.

Certified copies of a recorded marriage license cost a per-copy fee. Call the clerk's office at (903) 843-4015 to confirm the current copy fee before you visit. Copies can be requested in person or by mail.

The 72-Hour Waiting Period

Texas law requires a 72-hour wait after the clerk issues your license before you can hold the ceremony. This rule applies in Upshur County the same as every other county in Texas. The purpose is to give couples time to be sure before they marry.

There are three ways to waive the 72-hour period. First, active duty military members are exempt. Second, a judge can waive it for good cause. Third, couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education course can skip the wait entirely. If you think you qualify, ask the clerk at the time you apply.

Once the waiting period ends, the license is valid for 90 days. Plan your ceremony date with both of these timeframes in mind.

Searching Upshur County Marriage Records

Upshur County offers a self-service website for marriage application and records search. This allows you to look up existing marriage records by party name before or instead of visiting the clerk's office in person. The online system is a good first step when you need to confirm whether a marriage record exists or when you want to locate a specific license number.

For records going further back, FamilySearch has digitized marriage records for Upshur County as part of its Texas Select County Marriage Records 1837-1965 collection. This free resource is useful for genealogical research on older records. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you still must request it from the County Clerk directly.

The state level also offers some help. The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of marriage applications from 1966 to present. DSHS can verify that a marriage took place and provide a verification letter for $20. However, DSHS does not issue certified copies. Only the county clerk where the license was filed can issue a certified copy.

What Upshur County Marriage Records Contain

A marriage license in Upshur County includes both parties' full legal names, their dates of birth, places of birth, and current addresses. It also records each party's Social Security number (if provided), prior marriages and how they ended, and parents' full names and birthplaces. The license shows the date it was issued and the date it expires.

After the ceremony, the officiant fills out the certificate portion of the license. This part shows the ceremony date, the location, and the officiant's name, title, and signature. The completed document is then returned to the County Clerk for recording. Once recorded, it becomes part of the permanent public record in Upshur County.

A certified copy from the clerk includes a raised seal and the clerk's signature. It confirms the document is a true copy of the original on file. Most government agencies, banks, and legal proceedings require a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 194, the county clerk must file a copy of each completed marriage license application with the state vital statistics unit within 90 days. This creates the statewide index maintained by DSHS.

Informal Marriage in Upshur County

Texas recognizes informal marriage, sometimes called common law marriage. Under Texas Family Code § 2.401, two people can establish an informal marriage if they agree to be married, live together in Texas as a married couple, and represent to others that they are married.

Couples can formalize this by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage at the Upshur County Clerk's office. This creates a written record and is much easier to prove than relying on conduct alone. The fee for registering an informal marriage is typically around $46. Both parties must appear in person, and no proxy is allowed for informal marriage registration.

Note: The federal government and some agencies may not recognize informal marriages. If you want legal certainty, a formal ceremonial marriage is the safer route.

State Verification Through DSHS

The Texas Department of State Health Services can verify marriage information from 1966 to the present. The fee is $20 per search. DSHS will confirm whether a marriage record exists and provide a verification letter. This is useful when you need proof that a marriage took place but do not need an official certified copy.

To request a verification from the state, mail Form VS-142.9 with payment to the Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. You can also order online through dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics using a credit card.

Keep in mind that walk-in requests at the DSHS Austin office are processed the same day in most cases. Online orders take 15 to 20 business days. Regular mail takes 6 to 8 weeks. Call (888) 963-7111 to check on the status of a request or confirm current fees.

Cities in Upshur County

Upshur County includes Gilmer and several smaller communities. All marriage licenses for residents of Upshur County are handled at the County Clerk's office in Gilmer, regardless of which city or community you live in.

Communities in Upshur County include Gilmer, Ore City, Big Sandy, and Gladewater (which extends into Gregg and Wood counties). None of the cities in Upshur County meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Upshur County is in East Texas. If you are unsure which county handles your records, the rule is simple: you apply where you or your partner lives, and you must get your certified copy from the county where the license was originally issued.