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Marriage License Applications & Marriage Records

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Types of Licenses

  • Formal Marriage License

Formal Marriage Licenses are for couples that marry with a ceremony

  • Informal Marriage License

Informal Marriage Licenses are for common-law marriage declarations and no ceremony will take place  

 

Please complete a Johnson County online Marriage License Application (Links for the Application are at the Bottom of This Page). Once you have completed the online application, call and schedule an appointment at either our Cleburne or Burleson Office. 

 

*APPLICATIONS ARE REMOVED FROM THE QUEUE AFTER 14 DAYS IF AN APPOINTMENT IS NOT SCHEDULED*

 

Marriage License Application Requirements

  • Both Applicants must appear together in person  (Some exceptions apply, see Absent Applicant Information under "Related Forms" below)
  • Each Applicant must be at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated by the Court
  • Each Applicant must present a valid government-issued photo ID
  • Each Applicant must provide their social security number

The Clerk CANNOT issue a Marriage License if:

  • Either Applicant indicates that they have been divorced within the last 30 days (Unless the Applicants are divorced from each other or the divorce has been waived by Court Order)
  • Either Applicant indicates that they are related to each other
  • Either Applicant indicates they are currently married to a third party

72-Hour Waiting Period

A marriage ceremony may not take place during the 72-hour period immediately following the issuance of the marriage license. However, the waiting period does not apply to:

  • An active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • An employee with or under contract by the U.S. Department of Defense
  • Applicants who present a recently issued certificate for the premarital education course, “Twogether in Texas”
  • An Applicant who obtains a court waiver under Texas Family Code Section 2.204(c)

Expiration

If the marriage ceremony is not conducted within 90 days from the date the license is issued, the marriage license expires and the applicants must purchase a new marriage license before the ceremony. 

Our Office DOES NOT offer refunds for expired marriage licenses. 

 

Fee Schedules - Effective January 1, 2024

ALL fees are due and payable at the time of filing. Personal checks are not accepted. Attorney's business checks are accepted. Visa and Master Cards accepted. Fees may be charged to a credit card via telephone or mail by supplying the account number, expiration date, and card holder's zip code.

 

Recording a Completed Marriage License After the Marriage Ceremony

After the marriage ceremony has been conducted, the Marriage License must be returned to our Office within 30 days for recording. Once the License has been recorded, the original document will be returned. 

Before returning the License for recording, ensure the following information has been completed, in full, by the Officiant:

  • Date & time of the ceremony
  • The name, title and address of the Officiant
  • The County where the ceremony took place

Marriage Licenses may be returned for recording either by mail or in person.

 

Certified Copies

Our Office can only provide Johnson County Marriage Records. If your marriage license was purchased in another County, you must contact that County to obtain a certified copy of your record.

The application for a Certified Copy of Marriage License is located at the bottom of this section, and the following information will need to be completed in full:

  • The full names of both applicants
  • The year of marriage

Requests can be made by mail or in person at both our Cleburne and Burleson Offices.

If you choose to mail your request, please include your return address and a cashier's check or money order.  Personal checks are not accepted. If paying by credit card, a 5% processing fee will be added to the total cost of the transaction. Do not mail cash.

 

Office Locations, Contact Information & Mailing Address

Historic Courthouse Burleson Sub-Courthouse
2 N. Main St. 247 Elk Dr.
Room 128 Room 103
Cleburne, TX 76033 Burleson, TX 76028
(817) 202-4000 Ext. 2532 (817) 202-2968
Office Hours: 8-4:30 P.M. Office Hours: 8:00 - 4:30 P.M.

 

The Office at the Burleson Sub-Courthouse is closed from 12:00-1:00 P.M. for lunch. 

Mailing Address
Johnson County Clerk-Vitals
P.O. Box 1986
Cleburne, TX 76033

 

Other Information

"Twogether in Texas" - There is a $60.00 discount on Formal Marriage Licenses when Applicants present a recent “Twogether in Texas” premarital education certificate. Go to www.twogetherintexas.com for more  information or download the flyer under "Related Forms" below. The "Twogether in Texas" course completion certificate must be presented with the Marriage License Application.

Marriage by Proxy - Marriage by Proxy is only available to members of the US Armed Forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation and who are unable to attend the ceremony.

Premarital Education Handbook - To download a copy of the premarital education handbook, "When You Get Married" provided by the Office of Attorney General under the Texas Family Code Section 2.014, please use the link under "Related Forms" below.

HIV/AIDS Information Fact Sheet - To download a copy of HIV/AIDS Information Fact Sheet as prepared by the Texas Department of State Health Services, please click the link under "Related Forms" below.

 

Forms: