Tarrant County issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk’s office. Both applicants can start the application online, but must appear together in person to sign, pay, and receive the license — no appointment is required.
| License fee | $76 for a formal marriage license, reduced to $16 with a valid Twogether in Texas (or equivalent state-approved premarital education) certificate. An informal/common-law marriage declaration costs $41 (no discount). |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 72 hours between issuance and the ceremony (Texas statewide rule). Waived for active-duty military (with ID), applicants holding a district judge’s 72-hour waiver, or applicants presenting a valid premarital education certificate. |
| Documents / ID required | Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (names must exactly match the license) and each applicant’s Social Security number (not the physical card). Applicants under 18 need a certified birth certificate and a court order removing disabilities of minority. |
| License validity | 90 days from the date of issuance (Texas statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Fill out and save the application online in advance, then appear together in person — no appointment needed — at the downtown Fort Worth main office (200 Taylor St., Suite 301) or a Tarrant County subcourthouse. |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an appointment to get a marriage license in Tarrant County?
No. Both applicants can walk in together during business hours at the main Fort Worth office or a subcourthouse; no appointment is required.
How can we skip the 72-hour waiting period in Tarrant County?
Present a valid Twogether in Texas (or equivalent state-approved) premarital education certificate when applying, show active-duty military ID, or obtain a district judge’s waiver.
How to get a marriage license in Tarrant County (Fort Worth), step by step
- If you want the discount and the waived waiting period, complete a state-approved premarital education course such as Twogether in Texas first, and print the certificate.
- Fill out and save the marriage license application online in advance. This shortens your visit.
- Both applicants go in person, together and without an appointment, to the downtown Fort Worth office (200 Taylor St., Suite 301) or a Tarrant County subcourthouse. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Show valid government-issued photo ID (names must exactly match the license) and each applicant’s Social Security number, sign the application, and pay $76 — or $16 with a valid course certificate.
- Wait 72 hours unless you qualify for a waiver, then marry within 90 days of the issue date.
What to bring to the Tarrant County office
- Government-issued photo ID for both applicants, with names matching the license exactly
- Each applicant’s Social Security number (not the physical card)
- $76, or $16 with a printed premarital-course certificate
- For anyone under 18: a certified birth certificate and a court order removing disabilities of minority
When to apply for your Tarrant County license
Texas makes you wait 72 hours after the license is issued. If you are issued the license at 10 a.m. on a Monday, the earliest ceremony is 10 a.m. on Thursday. The 90-day validity window includes that wait, leaving roughly 87 days for the ceremony. The wait is waived for active-duty military, for a district judge’s waiver, or for a valid premarital education certificate — which also cuts the fee by $60 in Tarrant County.
After the ceremony: filing your Tarrant County license and getting certified copies
The completed license must be returned to the county clerk within 30 days of the ceremony. Certified copies can only be issued after the clerk records the marriage, so a late return delays everything that depends on a certificate. (Filing rules checked September 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Certified copies in Tarrant County
$21 for the first certified copy, $11 for each additional copy
| Issued by | Tarrant County Clerk, Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Fee details | $21 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy bought at the same time (increase effective September 1, 2024). A $20 search fee is retained if no record is found. VitalChek adds a $10 processing fee plus delivery. |
| How to order | In person at a Vital Records location, by mail to 200 Taylor St., Suite 301, Fort Worth (self-addressed stamped envelope and check or money order), or online (electronic copy by email, or a mailed signed copy through VitalChek). |
| Timing | Not stated. |
| Who can request | Only for licenses obtained and recorded in Tarrant County. |
| Heads up | Some Tarrant pages, including the fee schedule, list additional copies at $10 instead of $11, and one page lists a different ZIP for the mailing address. |
Source: Tarrant County Clerk - Certified Copy of a Marriage License · checked October 2026 · How many copies do you need?
Local tips for Tarrant County
- The premarital course is the best value in Tarrant County: it saves $60 and removes the wait.
- Tarrant also issues an informal (common-law) marriage declaration for $41. That is a different document from the $76 formal license and has no course discount.
- Names must match exactly — check spelling and middle names on your ID before you file the online application.
More questions about getting married in Tarrant County
Do we need an appointment in Tarrant County?
No. Both applicants can walk in together during business hours at the Fort Worth main office or a subcourthouse.
How can we skip the 72-hour wait?
Bring a valid premarital education certificate, show active-duty military ID, or obtain a district judge’s 72-hour waiver.
Can we apply completely online?
No. You can start the application online, but both applicants must appear in person to sign, pay and receive the license.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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