Have an Engagement Party!
After you've told all of your family and closest friends, you may want to throw an engagement party to let everyone else know the happy news and to put you in a festive mood for the planning events leading up to your big day! Order party supplies our Online Party Supply Store!


Publish Your Wedding Announcement
Announce your engagement FREE online!
Submit your announcement here!

Your Marriage License
You are engaged and you have a lot of planning to do, but don't forget about the legal aspect of your upcoming marriage.

Requirements vary across the country, so you should contact your local county clerk's office for complete and accurate information about marriage license requirements where you plan to wed.

Visit Dallas County Online for complete information!

Some general information about Dallas area marriage licenses if provided here for reference only.

Requirements
A man and a woman desiring to enter into a ceremonial marriage must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk of any county of the state.

Dallas County Eligibility
Applicants should be 18 years or older with valid identification. Applicants under the age of 18 must have a certified copy of their birth certificate.

Applicants under the age of 18, but older than 14 years can apply for a marriage license with parental consent or permission of a judge, or documents establishing that a prior marriage has been dissolved.

Applicant under the age of 14 are required to have both parents consents and a court order giving permission to marry.

Blood test or health certificates are not required to obtain a license.

A license will be issued to persons who may be delinquent for payment of court-ordered child support.

There is a 30-day waiting period after a divorce is granted within this state. An applicant may apply for a license within the 30 days if the court issues a waiver.

Acquiring a License in Dallas County
A marriage license can be obtained from a county clerk's office. The cost is $41.00 in cash.

If an applicant is unable to appear personally, any adult or the other applicant may apply on behalf of the absent applicant. The proper paper work must be completed prior to applying. Proper paper work including the absent applicant's identification and age is required. If one party is incarcerated, this office must send out and receive information directly from the incarcerated person.

If the absent applicant is under 18 years of age, proof of parental consent, or judicial permission, or proof of the dissolution of a previous marriage must be provided.

A valid form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, U.S. passport, certified copy of a birth certificate, or military identification is required.

Time Limitations
There is a 72-hour waiting period following the issuing of the license prior to the ceremony. If either party is active military the 72-hour is waived if the military identification is presented at the time of application.

If a marriage ceremony has not been conducted before the 31st day after the license is issued, the marriage license expires.

You can apply for a marriage license in the following locations:

Downtown Dallas at the Records Building
1st Floor, 509 Main Street, Suite 120
(8:00am-4:00pm, Monday through Friday)
214-653-7559 or 214-653-7131.

East Dallas at the East Dallas Government Center
3443 St. Francis Ave.
(call for office hours) 214-321-3182.

North Dallas Government Center
10056 Marsh Lane, Suite 137
(call for office hours) 214-904-3032.

Justice of the Peace
7201 S. Polk
(972) 228-0280 (Call for office hours)

Justice of the Peace
1411 W. Beltline Road
Richardson
(972) 231-1439 (Call for office hours)