Texas Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Get Ordained
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Ministry credentials should be on hand, as requirements vary by county. Unauthorized officiants face legal penalties.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
All participants (couple, officiant, witness) must be physically present. Witnesses need no age minimum but must sign and understand their role. Exceptions for Armed Forces require legal steps.
Essential ceremony elements:
- Couple consents (“I do”).
- Minister pronounces them married.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $70–$100 (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, military ID)
- Proof of Divorce: Not Required (30-day waiting period after divorce applies)
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must pick up the license in person with valid photo ID. Divorced individuals must wait 30 days post-divorce unless waived by a court. Licenses are valid statewide
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: 72 Hours (exceptions apply)
- License Validity: 90 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 30 Days
Most couples must wait 72 hours after receiving the license before the ceremony. Exceptions include active-duty military, DoD employees, or those completing a premarital education course. Licenses are valid for 90 days and must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (court approval required for minors)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry. Minors require court approval. Texas prohibits marriages between close relatives beyond second cousins. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
The officiant must complete the marriage license, including the ceremony date, county, title, ordaining body, and home address. Inaccurate completion may result in fines ranging from $200 to $500. Completed licenses must be returned promptly.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Ministry credentials should be on hand, as requirements vary by county. Unauthorized officiants face legal penalties.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Allowed (under specific circumstances)
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
Texas allows proxies for active military members unable to attend the ceremony. The couple (or proxy) must provide spoken consent (“I do”), followed by the minister’s pronouncement.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $70–$100 (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, military ID)
- Proof of Divorce: Not Required (30-day waiting period after divorce applies)
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must pick up the license in person with valid photo ID. Divorced individuals must wait 30 days post-divorce unless waived by a court. Licenses are valid statewide.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: 72 Hours (exceptions apply)
- License Validity: 90 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 30 Days
Most couples must wait 72 hours after receiving the license before the ceremony. Exceptions include active-duty military, DoD employees, or those completing a premarital education course. Licenses are valid for 90 days and must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (court approval required for minors)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry. Minors require court approval. Texas prohibits marriages between close relatives beyond second cousins. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
The officiant must complete the marriage license, including the ceremony date, county, title, ordaining body, and home address. Inaccurate completion may result in fines ranging from $200 to $500. Completed licenses must be returned promptly.