• $81USD Fee
• Payable in cash
• Debit or Credit Card (Master Card, Visa or Discover Card ONLY)

The state $60USD marriage license fee may be waived by attending a state-approved premarital education class. Visit Together in Texas for details.

Persons marrying in Galveston and the state of Texas must be eighteen years of age or older to marry without consent of a parent.

See Galveston County Clerk’s Website for more for details on age requirements.

Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a Galveston County Marriage License.

Exception: A portion of the application process may be completed by filing an Absentee Affidavit. You must call Galveston County Clerk for details on the filing process — (409-766-2207).

Acceptable forms of identification:

Ages 18 years or Older:

• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
• Valid drivers license
• Military identification
• Department of Public Safety issued identification
• Valid Passport
• Any valid state-issued identification

NOTE: Acceptability of identifying documents determined by county level. Non-certified copies and expired documents will not be accepted.

Ages 15 to 17:

• A certified copy of applicant’s birth certificate.
• The parent, managing conservator or legal guardian must also present identification and
  document confirming proof of custody or guardianship or conservatorship.
• Social Security Number (SSN) required for both applicants.

• You must wait seventy-two hours (72 hrs) before using your marriage license*
• Your marriage license must be used by ninety (90) days after the issue date
• Your marriage license may be used in any county within the state of Texas

To obtain a waiver of the seventy-two (72) hours waiting period:

NOTE: The waiver form is only available at the Main Office of the Galveston County Clerk’s Office. You must notify the deputy issuing your marriage license prior to starting the marriage license application process to properly obtain your marriage license with the waiver of the seventy-two (72) hour waiting period.

You do not need a blood test to marry in Galveston or the state of Texas.

Marriages may be performed by:

• Licensed or ordained Christian ministers or priests
• Jewish Rabbis
• Officers of a religious organization authorized to perform marriage a marriage ceremony
• Justice of the Peace, County Judge, District Judge, Municipal Judge and retired judges

• Unless waived, applicants must be divorced for thirty (30) days.
• Applicants may not be related in the following ways:
  • Ancestor or descendant, by blood or adoption
  • Brother or sister, of whole blood, half blood or by adoption
  • A parent’s brother or sister, of whole blood, half blood or by adoption
  • A son or daughter of a brother or sister, of whole blood, half blood or by adoption
  • A current or former stepchild or stepparent
  • A son or daughter of a parent’s brother or sister, of whole blood, half blood or by adoption

   

The original marriage license must be returned to the County Clerk’s office where the marriage license was obtained. After the marriage is recorded, the original marriage certificate will be mailed to the applicants address as given. You may obtain a certified copy by mail or in person at any time.