How to Get a Marriage License in Galveston County, TX: Courthouse Guide

Start with the county clerk

In Texas, marriage licenses are issued by county clerks, not by cities. If you live in Galveston, League City, or Texas City, the city you live in does not matter for this. The office you deal with is the Galveston County clerk. Galveston is the county seat, and League City and Texas City are also in the county, but the license itself comes from the county level.

You are not limited to Galveston County

You can apply at any county clerk in Texas. The license is valid statewide, and there is no residency requirement. You do not have to live in Galveston County to get a license there. You also do not have to get your license in the county where you plan to hold the ceremony.

This helps if you live in different places or work far from the county seat. Choose whichever clerk's office is easiest for the two of you to reach together.

Who has to go, and what to bring

Both of you normally need to appear in person, and each of you needs valid photo ID. Plan a time when you can both be there. If one of you has a work schedule that is hard to move, sort that out before you pick a day.

This guide does not list other documents or forms, so don't treat the ID requirement as the full list. Ask the clerk's office exactly what each of you should bring.

The fee and the 72-hour wait

Each county sets its own fee. Texas counties typically charge about $70 to $85. We don't have the exact Galveston County fee, so confirm it with the clerk before you go. Ask which payment methods the office accepts too, so you aren't caught out at the counter.

There is also a 72-hour waiting period. The ceremony cannot happen until 72 hours after the license is issued. This catches many couples off guard, especially those who want to apply and marry on the same trip.

There are three ways around the wait:

•Active-duty military status waives it.

•A judge's written waiver waives it.

•A certificate from the Twogether in Texas premarital education course waives it.

The Twogether in Texas certificate does a second job. It removes up to $60 of the license fee. If you have time before you apply, finishing the course can save you money and the wait. Both of you need to be comfortable with that choice, so decide together.

How long the license lasts

Your license is valid for 90 days from the day it is issued. Once that window closes, the license no longer works. If your date falls outside the 90 days, you will need to apply again, so don't pick up the license too early.

Put two dates on your calendar when you apply. The first is the earliest day you can hold the ceremony, which is 72 hours after issuance unless you qualify for a waiver. The second is the last day the license is valid, 90 days after issuance.

Confirm these details before you go

We don't have the Galveston County clerk's street address, phone number, office hours, appointment policy, accepted payment methods, or exact fee. Before you travel, contact the clerk's office and ask:

•Where should we go to apply, and what hours is that location open?

•Do we need an appointment, or can we walk in?

•What is the exact fee, and how can we pay it?

•What should each of us bring besides a valid photo ID?

•Do you accept a Twogether in Texas certificate, and what proof do you need?

Write down the answers and have both of you read them over before the day. A short call or check ahead can save you a second trip.

Galveston County marriage licenses, by the numbers

108 marriage licenses were filed in Galveston County in the last 30 days and 1,573 in the last 12 months; the newest filing we hold is dated 2026-10-15. Month-by-month counts and the public record are on the Galveston County marriage license page.

State rules checked against [Texas Family Code, Chapter 2](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.2.htm). Fees and procedures change — the county clerk has the final word. General information, not legal advice.