Process for Obtaining Texas Marriage Records

The State of Texas has a long history. Through much of its early history, it was prey to rival powers. Spain, France, Mexico, American settlers and the U.S. all fought over it at various times. Its steadily rising economic fortunes since the early 1900s and large immigrant populations make it a demographic crazy quilt.

Then with the discovery of oil in early 20th century, many industries began to arrive and with that came many people. With time came other businesses in electronics, aerospace and biomedical sciences. The industry has attracted a workforce among the most ethnically diverse, from all the corners of the U.S. and other countries. With such a long history and so many people coming to the state, the marriage record and other vital statistics database is sure to be extensive.

Marriage Records are Considered Public Domain 

Many of us here in the U.S. are unaware that as members of the public, we all have a legal right to access marriage records. You may need to establish that you are a U.S. citizen, which may be a legitimate requirement, depending on specific circumstances. In some states, exceptions may be in place to prevent abuse.

In principle, all states in the U.S. are bound under law to give citizens access to marriage records. That holds true for Texas marriage records as well. You just need to know how to set about accessing them. This means that for you, it is completely legal to get your copy of a marriage record in the State of Texas. The best news is that obtaining the copy is absolutely free in most cases as well.

Accessing Records Through Government Channels

Texas began to register vital records across the state beginning in 1903. Fragments of records from earlier times, probably from church sources, do still exist. Master indexes of records post-1903 are also available. There may be unofficial genealogical and demographic records based on social, medical, marketing or other investigations, but they are either not in the public domain or not well publicized.

For births and deaths after 1903, and marriages after 1966, visit or write to the Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1100 W. 49th Street, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. You may also call at 512-458-7111 or 512-458-4751.

How to Apply for Your Marriage Records in Texas

You will need to provide some information when you are placing a request for a copy of the record. Here is what you need to furnish:

•    The husband’s full name (the last name should be in capital letters)
•    The wife’s full maiden name (the last name should be in capital letters)
•    The date when the marriage took place
•    The place where the marriage happened
•    Your relationship to the couple
•    You need to state why you need access to the record
•    Your own address and name
•    Your own state and driver’s license number (this is necessary in some counties)
•    Your signature

Finding It All Online

The Internet has made it even easier to access the marriage records in the State of Texas or anywhere else in the U.S. By going online, you can eliminate a great deal of hassle, paperwork and avoidable exertion and delay. You can use resources on the Internet to place your application receive your copy easily and quickly from the comfort of your own home.

You also have online access to a host of other marriage related documents: Texas marriage records, marriage licenses, marriage indexes, marriage announcements and other Texas genealogy records.

State marriage records are especially valuable as primary sources in researching genealogy--authentic records of events duly witnessed and signed by identifiable people with dates and places of registration, identities of the marrying couple, their parents (including the mother’s maiden name and residence at the time of wedding), witnesses, and the person conducting the wedding.