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Travis County exact answer

Who can perform a marriage ceremony for a license from Travis County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Travis County, ceremonies are not performed at the Clerk's office. The Clerk can provide a list of judges who perform marriage ceremonies in Travis County; applicants contact the judge of their choice directly about availability and fees. An officiant does not need permission from, or registration with, the County Clerk. Texas Family Code Sec. 2.202, as amended by H.B. 907 and effective 1 September 2023, authorises a licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest; a Jewish rabbi; a person who is an officer of a religious organization and is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony; and a current, former or retired federal judge or state judge. The Clerk's own FAQ list of authorised officiants is out of date and incomplete — see the source conflict notes. Texas requires no blood test.

Published rule and conditions

Officiant and ceremony rule
Ceremonies are not performed at the Clerk's office. The Clerk can provide a list of judges who perform marriage ceremonies in Travis County; applicants contact the judge of their choice directly about availability and fees. An officiant does not need permission from, or registration with, the County Clerk. Texas Family Code Sec. 2.202, as amended by H.B. 907 and effective 1 September 2023, authorises a licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest; a Jewish rabbi; a person who is an officer of a religious organization and is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony; and a current, former or retired federal judge or state judge.

The Clerk's own FAQ list of authorised officiants is out of date and incomplete — see the source conflict notes. Texas requires no blood test.

Official requirement

A person meeting the above requirements does not need to apply for permission to marry couples and does not need to register with the County Clerk.

Issuing office

Travis County Clerk's Office, Recording Division

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Official sources for this answer

  • Recording FAQ - Travis County ClerkTravis County Clerk's Office - checked July 26, 2026

    Do both applicants need to be present to obtain a formal marriage license? Yes, both applicants must be present with an original form of ID for each applicant. What if one applicant cannot come in to apply for a marriage license? Please review the Absent Affidavit Instructions and have the Absent Affidavit form completed by the absent party. Can both applicants apply for a marriage license using an Absent Affidavit for each applicant? No, only if both applicants are deployed active military. What form of ID is required to apply for a marriage license? Most common forms of ID used are driver's license, state ID, passport, and or certified copy of birth certificate. Please review the Family Code Marriage Relation Section 2.205 for other options. Will an expired ID be accepted? The form of ID cannot be expired more than 2 years. Does the ceremony take place at your office? No, the ceremony does not take place in our office. You will leave with the license the same day however, a list of Judges who perform marriage ceremonies in Travis County may be provided to you. Is the 72-hour waiting period mandatory? There is a required 3-day waiting period between the time a marriage license is obtained and the ceremony. A person meeting the above requirements does not need to apply for permission to marry couples and does not need to register with the County Clerk. Can an underage applicant apply for a marriage license? Effective September 1, 2017 Texas Family Code 2.003 states, A person under the age of 18 years of age may not marry unless the person has been granted by this state or another state a court order removing the disabilities of minority of the person for general purposes. What are the fees for a formal marriage license and informal marriage license? The formal marriage license is $80.00 and the informal marriage license is $45.00. Can I apply for a marriage license if recently divorced? If divorced, and the divorce was finalized within the previous 30 days, an applicant must provide a certified copy of the divorce decree which states that the 30-day waiting period has been waived. Where is your office located and what are your office hours? Our office is located at the Civil Family Courthouse 1700 Guadalupe St. 4th Floor Ste. 4.300 Austin, TX 78701. Hours of operation are M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

  • H.B. No. 907 (88th Legislature, Regular Session) — enrolled text, relating to persons authorized to conduct a marriage ceremonyTexas Legislature Online — Texas Legislative Council - checked July 26, 2026

    SECTION 1. Sections 2.202(a) and (b), Family Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) The following persons are authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony: (1) a licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest; (2) a Jewish rabbi; (3) a person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony; and (4) a current, former, or retired federal judge or state judge. (b) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(4), 'federal judge' and 'state judge' have the meanings assigned by Section 25.025, Tax Code. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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