Marriage records in Harris County, Texas, are available through several channels. HarrisCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Harris County Clerk's office, which issues marriage licenses and maintains filed records. Requests can be made online, in person at the clerk's office, or by mail. Texas vital records through the state Department of State Health Services offer another access point for marriage certificates filed statewide.
Harris County Marriage Records Search
The Harris County Clerk's office is the issuing authority for marriage licenses and the custodian of marriage records in Harris County. Under Texas law, the county clerk issues marriage licenses and records certificates of marriage once a ceremony has been performed and the license is returned.
The marriage records collection maintained by the Harris County Clerk includes:
- Marriage licenses issued in Harris County
- Marriage certificates (returned licenses documenting completed ceremonies)
- Historical marriage records dating back to the county's early records
- Informal (common-law) marriage declarations filed with the clerk
You can search for marriage records through the clerk's online portal or visit the office directly.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Harris County
Fees for marriage record services from the Harris County Clerk are set under the Texas Local Government Code and the clerk's published fee schedule. Below is a summary of standard fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage license/certificate | $6.00 |
| Each additional certified copy (same order) | $6.00 |
| Marriage license application fee | $81.00 |
| Informal (common-law) marriage declaration | $41.00 |
| Search fee (if no record is found) | Varies — contact clerk's office |
If you need a certified copy from the state rather than the county, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) charges $20.00 per certified copy for marriage records on file with the state vital statistics unit. DSHS records generally cover marriages from 1966 forward.
Processing times vary. In-person requests at the county clerk's office are often handled the same day if the record is readily available. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks. State-level requests through DSHS may take several weeks depending on volume.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Harris County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Harris County:
Online
The Harris County Clerk's office provides an online vital records ordering system where you can request certified copies of marriage records. You'll need to provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of marriage
- A valid form of payment
For state-level copies, you can order through the Texas DSHS vital records portal or through their authorized vendor.
In Person
Walk-in requests are accepted at the Harris County Clerk's Marriage License Division during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Payment can typically be made by cash, money order, or credit/debit card.
By Mail
To request a certified copy by mail, send the following to the Harris County Clerk's office:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and your relationship to the individuals on the record
- A photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- The applicable fee (money order or cashier's check payable to "Harris County Clerk")
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail your request to:
Allow two to four weeks for processing. If you need a record urgently, visiting the office in person is usually faster. You can also call (713) 274-8686 to confirm current processing times or ask whether an appointment is needed.
For older or hard-to-locate records, the clerk's office may direct you to the HarrisCourt.us search tools or to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which holds some historical county records.