A Van Zandt marriage license is by appointment — email the form first

Couples planning a courthouse step in Canton get tripped up by the same thing: you can't drop in for a marriage license. Susan Strickland's county clerk office, in Room 202 of the courthouse at 121 E. Dallas Street, takes marriage-license applicants by appointment only, in a narrower window than its regular hours, roughly 8:30 to 3:45 on weekdays. You fill out the application ahead of time and email it in to set things up.

Build in a little lead time beyond the appointment, too. Texas has a 72-hour waiting period between getting the license and the ceremony for most couples, so a Friday-afternoon license won't cover a Saturday wedding unless you qualify for one of the waivers.

Bring valid photo ID for both of you and be ready to pay the license fee when you come in. If your situation is unusual (a prior marriage that needs a divorce date, a name question, or you need certified copies after the fact) a quick call to the clerk before the appointment sorts out what to bring so you're not making the drive twice.