Plan Three Days Ahead for an Anderson County Marriage License

There's no walk-up window for a marriage license at the Anderson County Courthouse on N. Church Street; it's by appointment, set by phone at 903-723-7465. Both people have to be there in person to receive it, both have to show proof of identity and age, and both sign the oath in front of the clerk. The license runs $81, cash only, so plan for that too.

Then there's the part that catches couples on a tight timeline. Texas law builds in a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the ceremony can happen, and the license stays valid for 90 days. So a license picked up Friday isn't usable until Monday. Active-duty military, and couples who finish a state-approved premarital course, can skip the wait; otherwise a judge has to sign a waiver.

Once you have it, that license works anywhere in Texas, not just Anderson County. Get married in Houston or in the Hill Country on the same paper. The clerk offers an online application to start the process, but you still have to come in within three days of submitting it to finish in person.