Getting Married in Rusk County Starts on the Square in Henderson

The County Clerk's office sits on the second floor of the courthouse, Suite 206, at 115 North Main on the Henderson square. That's where a Rusk County marriage license comes from, and it's $66 with a valid driver's license or state ID. Both of you have to be there in person. No sending one half of the couple to handle the paperwork.

Don't just walk in. The clerk takes marriage licenses by appointment, in two windows: 8 to 11 in the morning or 1 to 3 in the afternoon. Call the vital-records line at 903-657-0301 first and set a time. Texas builds in a 72-hour waiting period between getting the license and the ceremony, with a few exceptions like active-duty military, so plan the date with a little room.

Later on, if you need a certified copy of the license, say for a name change, a mortgage, or Social Security, it comes from this same office, the county clerk where the license was filed. The state health department keeps marriage records too, but only issues verification letters, not the certified copy you'll actually be asked for.