Marriage Records

In Harris County, Texas, marriage records play a vital role in documenting the union of two individuals under the law. Whether you're searching for historical marriage data or need to obtain a certified copy for personal use, knowing how to access these records and understanding the process is crucial. This guide covers everything you need to know about Harris County TX Marriage Records, including how to search, obtain certified copies, and the departments involved in the process.

What Are Harris County TX Marriage Records?

Marriage records in Harris County are official documents that register the legal union between two individuals. These records are maintained by the Harris County Clerk's Office and include both ceremonial and informal (common-law) marriages. In Texas, a marriage license is required to legally marry, and once the ceremony is performed, the officiant returns the signed document to the Clerk’s office for official recording.

Types of Marriage Records in Harris County

There are two primary types of marriage records in Harris County:

Ceremonial Marriage Records
These records pertain to marriages that were officiated by an authorized officiant (minister, judge, etc.) following a formal ceremony. The Harris County Clerk’s Office maintains ceremonial marriage licenses filed from June 13, 1929, to the present day.

Informal Marriage Records (Common-Law Marriages)
Informal marriages, also known as common-law marriages, occur when two individuals live together and present themselves as a married couple without undergoing a formal ceremony. The Harris County Clerk’s Office also records these marriages. The informal marriage records are available from January 2, 1970, through the present.

Both ceremonial and informal marriage records are accessible through the Clerk’s office, and searching for these records is possible via the Harris County Clerk's online portal.

How to Search for Harris County Marriage Records

If you are looking for a marriage record in Harris County, the process begins with searching through the Harris County Clerk’s official website. The Clerk’s office provides a user-friendly Web Inquiry Portal that allows you to search for both ceremonial and informal marriage licenses.

Key Search Tips for Harris County Marriage Records:

Names: You can search by the names of the applicants, either individually or in any order. For example, you could search for "John Smith and Jane Doe" or "Smith, John Doe, Jane."

Dates: If you're unsure about the exact date of the marriage, using a broad date range can help refine your search results.

Film Code or File Number: You can search using specific codes or file numbers if known, but this is optional.

Special Characters: Special characters like hyphens or apostrophes are ignored, so don’t worry about entering them.

For assistance with searching marriage records online, you can use the Harris County Clerk’s Web Inquiry Portal.

Obtaining Certified and Non-Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Once you have located a marriage record, you may need a certified or non-certified copy of the marriage license for legal purposes, name changes, or personal records. Harris County offers both options for obtaining copies.

Non-Certified Copies:

How to Order: Create an account through the Harris County Clerk's Document Search Portal. After locating the desired record, you can add it to your cart and proceed with the purchase.

Delivery: Non-certified copies are emailed directly to the address associated with your account.

Certified Copies:

How to Order: You can order certified copies online through the same portal. However, note that online certified copies will not have a raised seal.

How to Obtain a Raised Seal: If you require a certified copy with a raised seal (required by some institutions), you must visit the Harris County Clerk’s office in person.

Delivery: Certified copies are mailed to you after processing.

If you prefer, you can also visit the Harris County Clerk's Office in person to obtain certified copies.

Fees for Marriage Records

The cost of obtaining marriage records varies depending on whether you are requesting a certified or non-certified copy. For certified copies, the fee is typically $6.00 per document. Non-certified copies cost $1.00 per page.

Harris County Clerk’s Office for Marriage Records

The Harris County Clerk's office is the primary department responsible for maintaining marriage records. Here’s where you can reach them for assistance with marriage records:

Personal Records Department

Address: Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline St, Suite 320, Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: 713-274-8686
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

For more information on how to obtain marriage records or specific forms, you can contact the Harris County Clerk’s Personal Records Department.

Requirements for Applying for a Marriage License

To apply for a marriage license in Harris County, both individuals must be present at the Clerk's office with valid photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport. Here are some additional important points to consider when applying for a marriage license:

Age Requirement: Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Applicants under 18 may need to obtain court approval.

Fee: The standard marriage license fee is $81.00. If one of the applicants is not a Texas resident, the fee increases to $181.00.

Waiting Period: There is a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage can be performed unless waived (e.g., if one applicant is active duty military).

License Validity: The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

Returning the Marriage License for Recording

Once the marriage ceremony has been conducted, the officiant will complete and sign the marriage license. This signed license must be returned to the Harris County Clerk’s office for official recording.

Return Methods: You can return the marriage license by mail or in person to any Harris County Clerk location.

Processing Time: Once returned, the marriage license may take 1-2 weeks to be processed and returned to you.

Additional Services Related to Marriage Records

The Harris County Clerk’s office also offers a Certification of Marriage, which is a celebratory certificate that certifies a couple's marriage is legally recorded with the Clerk’s office. This document is available for a fee of $25.00 and can be obtained from any of the Clerk’s office locations.

Harris County Clerk’s Office Contact Information

For all matters related to marriage licenses and records in Harris County, the following departments and contact information will be helpful:

Personal Records Department
Address: 201 Caroline St, Suite 320, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-274-8686

Public Records Department
Address: 201 Caroline St, Suite 310, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-274-6390

Probate Court Department
Address: 201 Caroline St, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-274-8585

Data Sales Desk (Public Records Department)
Phone: 713-274-6390

If you prefer to mail any documents or requests, you can use the following address:

Mailing Address:
Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk
Attn: Personal Records Department
P.O. Box 1525, Houston, TX 77251-1525

For further details on obtaining marriage records or additional questions, you can also visit the Harris County Clerk’s official website.

Harris County Marriage Records FAQs

How Can I Obtain Harris County Marriage Records?

To obtain a marriage record in Harris County, you can visit the Harris County Clerk’s official Document Search Portal. This portal allows you to search for both ceremonial and informal marriage records, and you can request certified or non-certified copies. Certified copies are available for a fee, and the non-certified ones are typically emailed to you. Certified copies with a raised seal can only be obtained by visiting the office in person.

What Information Is Needed to Search for a Marriage Record?

When searching for a marriage record, you will need to know the names of the individuals involved. You can search using either the applicant's first or last name. The Harris County Clerk’s portal allows you to enter partial names if you're unsure of the full spelling. You may also use a date range or file numbers if available. For detailed instructions on how to conduct a search, visit the Web Inquiry page.

Can I Obtain a Certified Copy of My Marriage Record Online?

Yes, you can request a certified copy of your marriage record online through the Harris County Clerk’s eCommerce service. However, please note that certified copies purchased online do not have a raised seal. If you require a certified copy with a raised seal, you will need to visit the Clerk's office in person.

What Is the Fee for Harris County Marriage Records?

The fee for a certified marriage record is typically $6.00 per document. Non-certified copies cost $1.00 per page. For more details on obtaining copies, you can refer to the Harris County Clerk’s Fee Schedule.

Where Do I Return My Marriage License After the Ceremony?

Once your marriage ceremony is completed, the officiant will sign your marriage license. You must return the signed license to the Harris County Clerk’s office for official recording. You can return it either by mail or in person to any of the Harris County Clerk's office locations.