How to Get a Marriage License in Fort Worth (Tarrant County, TX)

Who Issues the License

Your marriage license doesn't come from the city of Fort Worth or Arlington — it comes from the county clerk. Tarrant County's clerk handles licenses for the entire county, and Fort Worth, as the county seat, is where that office sits. Whether you live in Fort Worth, Arlington, or anywhere else in the county, you're applying through the same office.

You Don't Have to Live Here

Texas doesn't have a residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply at any county clerk's office in the state, and the license you get is valid statewide — not just in the county that issued it. That means if Tarrant County is convenient for you, whether because you live nearby or you're getting married in the area, you're free to apply there even if your home address is somewhere else entirely.

Both of you will need to appear in person together with valid photo ID. There isn't a way around the in-person requirement for either applicant.

What the License Costs

Counties set their own fees, and in Tarrant County you should expect somewhere in the range of $70 to $85. If you complete a Twogether in Texas premarital education course beforehand and bring the certificate with you, it can reduce that fee by up to $60 — a meaningful discount if you're willing to put in a few hours ahead of time.

That same certificate does something else worth knowing about: it waives the waiting period entirely, which brings us to timing.

Timing: The Wait and the Expiration

Once your license is issued, Texas law requires a 72-hour wait before you can hold the ceremony. You can't get licensed on a Monday and marry that afternoon under normal circumstances.

There are three ways around the wait:

•Completing the Twogether in Texas premarital course and presenting your certificate

•Active-duty military status

•A written waiver from a judge

If none of those apply to you, plan your license appointment at least three full days before your ceremony date, ideally with a comfortable buffer in case anything comes up.

On the other end of the timeline, don't get your license too early. It's only valid for 90 days from the date it's issued. If your wedding is further out than that, applying now means your license will expire before you use it, and you'll have to go through the process again. Time your visit so it falls within that 90-day window before your ceremony, but after your 72-hour wait has been satisfied.

Before You Head to the Clerk's Office

Because fees, hours, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods vary and can change, confirm those details directly with the Tarrant County Clerk before you go. Don't assume you can walk in without checking first, and don't assume a specific fee amount — get current information straight from the source so you're not caught off guard when you arrive.

Once you have that confirmed, bring your photo ID, plan your visit around the 72-hour wait and 90-day expiration, and you'll have what you need to move forward.

Tarrant County marriage licenses, by the numbers

986 marriage licenses were filed in Tarrant County in the last 30 days and 11,933 in the last 12 months; the newest filing we hold is dated 2026-09-25. Month-by-month counts and the public record are on the Tarrant 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.