Getting a Marriage License in Harrison County

Couples get their license from the County Clerk inside the old Harrison County Courthouse on the square at 1 Peter Whetstone Square in downtown Marshall — the same restored 1900 building that anchors the town. Texas builds in a 72-hour wait between applying and legally marrying, so don't leave it for the morning of the wedding. The clerk keeps a waiver on hand to drop that three-day clock; active-duty military and a few other situations qualify.

If one of you can't make it to the counter, there's an absent-applicant process that lets one person come in with the right paperwork for both, and the office stocks correction affidavits for the inevitable misspelled name or wrong date. Bring valid photo ID for both people, and call ahead if your date falls near a holiday — the courthouse closes for those, and the 72-hour clock doesn't pause. The clerk's number is listed on the Harrison County site under County Clerk.