Getting a Marriage License in McLennan County
The County Clerk issues marriage licenses from the recording office at 215 N 5th Street, Room 223. Both applicants must appear in person to apply. The county lists clear requirements covering age, ID, identifiers, and waiting periods. The license is valid for 90 days from issuance, and a 72-hour wait is required before the ceremony unless legally waived.
- Both applicants must be at least 18; a court order is required for any applicant under 18.
- Both applicants must appear in person.
- Each applicant must provide a valid driver's license, state ID, passport, or certified birth certificate.
- Each applicant must know and provide a Social Security Number.
- Applicants must wait 72 hours after issuance before marrying, unless waived.
- If an applicant divorced less than 30 days ago, a certified decree waiving the 30-day wait is required.
The full marriage license page sits on the county site.
The county marriage license page covers requirements, waiting periods, ID rules, fees, and the address for the recording office at mclennan.gov/175/Marriage-License.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
The application is short and the steps are clear, but missing paperwork can slow it down. Bring everything before you go to the office.
- Both applicants appear in person at 215 N 5th Street, Room 223, Waco.
- Bring valid ID and know each Social Security Number.
- Bring a certified divorce decree if either applicant divorced less than 30 days ago.
- Bring a Twogether in Texas course certificate if you want the reduced fee.
- Pay the license fee at the counter.
- Wait 72 hours after issuance unless your situation legally waives the wait.
- Complete the ceremony within 90 days.
- The officiant returns the signed license for recording.
Marriage License Application Fields
The Tyler Self-Service marriage search uses a small set of fields. The portal accepts either party's name and a marriage date range. Formal records from April 1, 1878 forward are searchable, viewable, and purchasable. Informal marriage records from May 1, 1996 forward have index information only, no images.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Either Party Name | Text | No | Enter as Last First, such as Smith James. |
| Date of Marriage Start | Date | No | Format mm/dd/yyyy. |
| Date of Marriage End | Date | No | Format mm/dd/yyyy. |
| Document Types | List | No | Choose formal marriage, informal marriage, and related types. |
| Use Advanced Name Searching | Checkbox | No | Wildcard and fuzzy name tools. |
| Search | Button | To run | Runs the search. |
McLennan County Marriage and Divorce Fees
The County Clerk publishes fees for marriage licenses, copies, and other vital-record services. The District Clerk fees apply to divorce filings and copies. Filing for divorce can also include service fees and other costs that the District Clerk Civil Division can quote on request.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $70 |
| Marriage license with Twogether in Texas certificate | $10 |
| Informal marriage declaration | $35 |
| Certified copies (County Clerk) | $1 per page plus $5 certification |
| Birth certified copy | $22 |
| Death certified copy | $20 first copy; $3 each additional same-day same-person |
| District Clerk plain or certified copy | $1 per page |
| District Clerk search if cause number unknown | $5 |
How to Look Up McLennan County Marriage Records
Use the County Clerk Tyler Self-Service portal at mclennancountytx-web.tylerhost.net. After the disclaimer, choose Marriage Record Search. Enter either party's name in Last First order and add a date range if known. Formal records from April 1878 forward return image results that can be purchased. Informal marriage records return index entries only.
For records before the Tyler index coverage, contact the County Clerk recording office at 254-757-5078. The office also handles assumed names and other recording categories that may show up next to marriage records in older books.
How to Find McLennan County Divorce Records
Divorce is a district court matter, not a County Clerk recording. The District Clerk holds the case file. Use the District Clerk Case Index Search at mclennan.gov/993/Case-Index-Search and continue to E-Doc Technologies after the disclaimer. Search by party name (last first) or by cause number. Only docket and index information is online; documents are viewed in office or ordered by copy request.
If you do not know the cause number, the civil/family copy request adds a $5 search fee on top of the per-page copy fee. The Civil Division is reachable at 254-757-5057. Mailed requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope, the document list, and payment.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified copies are official, sealed copies that satisfy most legal uses. The County Clerk issues certified marriage records, while the District Clerk issues certified divorce documents. Plan for a fee per page plus a certification fee for County Clerk certified items, and $1 per page for District Clerk copies whether certified or not.
Mail requests should clearly list the document type, parties, year, and cause number when known. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by money order made out to the proper office. The District Clerk also accepts fax requests with credit-card prepayment.
Texas Vital Records and Related Family Statutes
Texas keeps a statewide vital records system at the Department of State Health Services. The state office can issue certified marriage and divorce verification letters back to 1966, while certified copies of the actual license usually come from the county that issued it. For divorce decrees, the District Clerk that handled the case is the source.
Adoption records are sealed under Texas Family Code Chapter 162. A search that touches adoption usually requires a statutory authorization or a court order. Family-court searches should distinguish ordinary divorce from termination or adoption matters.
Chapter 162 spells out the confidentiality rules around adoption and termination records.
Juvenile records, including some family-court matters tied to juveniles, follow Texas Family Code Chapter 58. The 474th District Court is McLennan County's designated juvenile court. Access is limited to authorized parties, attorneys, or by court order.
Chapter 58 limits public access to juvenile justice information and records, which can affect a family-court search that crosses into juvenile matters.
Restricted Family Records
Several family records are not searchable like ordinary divorce or marriage cases. Juvenile matters are limited under Family Code Chapter 58. Adoption records are sealed under Chapter 162. Termination of parental rights and CPS records are also closed. Marriage license application fields, including SSNs, are protected even when the index entry is public. Confidential personal identifiers, such as addresses for protected parties, are also redacted.
If a search reaches into one of those areas, the District Clerk or the County Clerk can confirm whether the record is restricted and what authorization is required. The clerks cannot give legal advice, so legal aid resources such as Lone Star Legal Aid and the Texas State Law Library self-help pages are the right next stop.