Several states now offer a discount on your marriage license fee if you complete a premarital education program — and Texas was the first in the country to do it. The reasoning is straightforward: evidence shows that couples who go through quality marriage preparation do better at establishing and sustaining a lifelong marriage. Below is what you need to know if you’re getting married in Texas.
Texas: Marriage License Discount
If you complete For Better & For Ever® with your Sponsor Couple, you can request a Texas Certificate of Completion once your sessions are finished. Bring that certificate to your county clerk’s office, and it will reduce your marriage license fee by $60.
Your Sponsor Couple should know how to obtain this certificate for you. If they’re not sure, you (or they) can reach out directly to the For Better and For Ever staff at info@forbetterandforever.com for help.
Before you get your marriage license, you’ll also need to complete the State of Texas Twogether in Texas Couple Satisfaction Survey.
General Texas Marriage License Requirements
Here’s what to know about getting a marriage license in Texas (as of 2026) overall, discount aside:
Where to apply:
In person, at a county clerk’s office.
What to bring:
A valid form of ID (like a driver’s license), a certified copy of your birth certificate, a passport or military ID, and your Social Security card.
Age requirements:
You must be 18 to marry on your own. If you’re 16–17, you’ll need parental consent or a court order. Under 16 requires a court order.
Residency:
You don’t need to be a Texas resident to get a Texas marriage license.
Premarital education:
Couples are encouraged to complete at least eight hours of premarital education, ideally within the year before applying for a license.
Waiting period:
There’s a standard 72-hour waiting period between getting your license and your ceremony. This can be waived for members of the armed forces, by a judge, or if you’ve completed a premarital education course.
Marriage License Cost:
In Texas, the marriage license fee varies by county but generally falls in a predictable range. Most counties charge a base fee, with some adding small processing or administrative charges.
Typical cost ranges: https://latestcost.com/Texas-marriage-license-cost-price/
- Low end: Around $60 (often the minimum cash fee; some counties waive it if you complete a premarital education course). View the Office of the Attorney General Texas Marriage Requirements.
- Average: About $80.
- High end: Up to $100 in some counties, especially if there are additional processing fees or special circumstances.
The license costs $60 and can be waived entirely if you’ve completed a premarital education course. Military personnel being deployed to a hostile fire zone don’t pay the fee either.
Who can officiate:
A licensed or ordained minister, priest, or rabbi; a justice of the peace; or most judges.
(Source: Texas Attorney General’s Office)
