Who Keeps Bexar County Marriage Records
Two offices split the work. Marriage licenses are recorded with the Bexar County Clerk. Divorce decrees route to the District Clerk because divorce is a district court matter. So the office you call depends on what you need. A marriage license or a copy of one points to the County Clerk. A divorce filing or decree points to the District Clerk.
The County Clerk runs a Marriage Office for licenses, ceremonies, and copies. It sits inside the Paul Elizondo Tower downtown. A second spot, the Southside Annex, also handles marriage work. Both parties usually must appear in person to apply. If one party cannot come, the other may bring a notarized affidavit for the absent applicant. That affidavit works only for a formal license, not an informal one.
The screenshot below comes from the Bexar County Clerk home page.
That page links to marriage, vital records, and official records services. It is the main starting point for County Clerk tasks.
Note: Marriage licenses go through the County Clerk, while divorce decrees are filed and kept by the District Clerk in district court.
Bexar County Marriage License Basics
A marriage license is the document you need before a wedding in Texas. Both people apply together at the County Clerk Marriage Office. You bring proof of age and ID. You pay the fee. Then the clerk issues the license. Once issued, the license is good for 90 days, and it works anywhere in Texas. The license is not the same as the marriage certificate. The certificate is the recorded record made after the ceremony.
There is a 72-hour wait between getting the license and the ceremony. Texas builds in that pause on purpose. A few groups skip the wait. A judge can waive it. Active-duty military members are exempt. Couples who finish a Twogether in Texas premarital course are exempt too. People who are remarrying each other can also skip the wait.
Proof of age and ID follows Texas Family Code § 2.005. A current or recently expired driver's license works. So does a birth certificate, a passport, or another government ID. You give a Social Security number if you have one. Applicants under 18 need a certified court order removing the disabilities of minority. Neither person may have been divorced in the last 30 days unless an exception applies.
The screenshot below is from the county's Marriage Licenses page.
That page lists the ID rules, the fee, and the steps to apply. Read it before you go so you bring the right papers.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The process is short, but the order matters. You can start online, then finish in person. Both parties bring ID and the fee. Here are the usual steps.
- Review the requirements and gather your ID, Social Security number, and payment.
- Complete the marriage license application online, or the informal marriage license application if that fits.
- Appear at the Marriage Office or Southside Annex with your documents and fee.
- Pay the fee and receive your license from the clerk.
- Wait 72 hours unless an exception applies, then hold the ceremony within 90 days.
- Record the signed original at Vital Statistics, an annex, or by mail to the County Clerk.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license. You then return it to be recorded. Once recorded, the office mails it back to the address on the form. A Twogether in Texas certificate is worth getting early. It cuts the fee by $60 and it waives the 72-hour wait. The certificate stays valid for one year.
Marriage License Form Fields
The application asks for a fixed set of items. Knowing them ahead of time saves a trip. The table below lists each field, whether it is required, and a short note on format.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant 1 identity | Yes | Legal name, age or date of birth, ID proof. |
| Applicant 2 identity | Yes | Legal name, age or date of birth, ID proof. |
| Social Security number | If applicable | Give it if you have one. |
| License type | Yes | Formal marriage license or informal marriage license. |
| Absent applicant affidavit | Conditional | Notarized; formal license only, not informal. |
| Twogether certificate | Optional | Gives a discount and waives the waiting period. |
| Divorce within 30 days | Conditional | Must meet an exception if recently divorced. |
An informal marriage license is a different track. It records a common-law marriage. The absent applicant affidavit cannot be used for it. Both parties handle that one in person.
Bexar County Marriage Record Fees
The County Clerk sets the marriage fees. The District Clerk sets the divorce filing fees. The amounts below cover the most common needs. A certified copy costs a small flat fee per copy. Divorce filing costs more, and it goes up when children are involved.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | $80.00 |
| Informal Marriage License | $45.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage record | $8.00 |
| Twogether in Texas discount | $60.00 off the license |
| Divorce filing, no children | $350.00 |
| Divorce filing, with children | $401.00 |
Payment rules can change. The Marriage Office often takes cash or card, but not every card is accepted. Always confirm the current payment method before you go. Certified copies are the kind you want for a name change or a benefit claim.
Getting Marriage Record Copies
Bexar County can give copies of marriage records filed in the county. The records reach far back. Copies are available from 1837 to the present. That deep span makes Bexar a strong source for family history. To get a copy, you complete a Marriage License Copy Request Form. A certified copy carries the clerk's seal and is accepted for official use.
Not every record is open, though. A marriage license is a public record. Anyone may request a copy of one. But a Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage is different. That certificate is not public. Only the two applicants may receive a copy of it. So an informal marriage record is more private than a standard one.
The screenshot below is from the County Clerk's Public Record Searches page.
That page links to the official records search where many County Clerk documents can be found. For a wider look at request steps, see the Bexar County public records page.
Bexar County Divorce Records
Divorce is handled in district court, so the case file lives with the District Clerk. The final divorce decree is part of that file. A divorce in Texas has residency rules. One party must have lived in Texas for at least six months. That party must also have lived in the county for at least 90 days before filing. These rules set where a case can start.
Filing fees depend on the case. A divorce with no children costs less than one with children. The fee schedule is set by the District Clerk. Divorce filings show up in the district and family court records unless a judge seals them. Some documents in a divorce hold protected data, such as records about children. Those parts may be limited even when the rest of the case is open.
You can look up a divorce case through the county's case search tools. Felony and divorce records both run through the District Clerk. For the full search steps and the portal walkthrough, see the Bexar County court records page. A certified copy of a decree comes from the District Clerk, not the County Clerk.
Note: Texas asks for six months of state residency and 90 days in the county before a person can file for divorce.
Related Bexar County Records
Marriage and divorce records connect to other county files. A name change after marriage is handled through DPS and the Social Security Administration, not the marriage license itself. The license keeps your name as it was. Land and property records also sit with the County Clerk, which can matter when a couple buys or splits property.
The screenshot below comes from the County Clerk's Real Property and Land Records page.
That page covers deeds, liens, and other recorded documents. Estate matters tied to a death go to the probate courts instead. To learn about wills and estate files, see the Bexar County probate records page.
Marriage and Divorce Record FAQs
How long is a Bexar County marriage license good for?
A marriage license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. It works anywhere in Texas. If you do not marry within that window, the license expires and you must apply again.
Can I skip the 72-hour waiting period?
Yes, in some cases. A judge can waive the wait. Active-duty military members are exempt. A Twogether in Texas course certificate also waives it. Couples remarrying each other can skip the wait too.
Are Bexar County marriage records public?
A standard marriage license record is public, so anyone may request a copy. A Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage is not public. Only the two applicants may get a copy of that one.
Where do I get a divorce decree?
Order a certified divorce decree from the District Clerk. Divorce is a district court matter, so the County Clerk does not hold those files. The County Clerk handles marriage records instead.
More answers live on the Bexar County court records FAQ page.