Austin is the gateway to the Texas Hill Country and home to the largest concentration of Hill Country wedding couples in the state. Getting your marriage license in Austin means working with the Travis County Clerk's office — and this guide covers everything you need to know, including the one timing detail that trips up more couples than any other.
Requirements and office locations change — always verify current information directly with the Travis County Clerk before your visit.
Travis County Clerk — The Basics
Travis County issues marriage licenses for the Austin area. Both applicants must appear together in person — the county has multiple service center locations across Austin, which helps with wait times compared to a single courthouse location. You can apply in Travis County even if your wedding is taking place in Dripping Springs, Wimberley, or anywhere else in the Hill Country — the license is valid statewide for 90 days.
What to Bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, state ID, or passport
- Your Social Security number (card not required — just know the number)
- If either applicant was previously married — the date and method the marriage ended
- Application fee — typically $60–$82; confirm current Travis County fee before your visit
- Both applicants present together in person — no exceptions
The 72-Hour Rule — The Most Important Detail
Texas requires a mandatory 72-hour waiting period between the issuance of your license and your ceremony. This is not a business day rule — it is a straight 72-hour clock from the time of issuance. Apply Monday morning, earliest ceremony is Thursday morning. Apply Tuesday morning, earliest ceremony is Friday morning.
For a Saturday Hill Country wedding, I always tell couples to apply by Tuesday at the latest — Monday is better. This gives you a full buffer and takes the stress completely off your wedding week.
Travis County Service Centers
Travis County Clerk has multiple service center locations across Austin — north, south, east, and the main courthouse downtown. The satellite locations typically have shorter wait times than the courthouse. Hours vary by location and change seasonally. Search "Travis County Clerk marriage license" for current locations and hours before making the trip.
Should You Apply in Travis County or Your Venue's County?
This comes up often for couples getting married in Dripping Springs (Hays County) or New Braunfels (Comal County) but living in Austin. My honest advice: apply wherever is most convenient for both of you to get there together during business hours. The license is valid everywhere in Texas. If your venue requires the license to be issued in the venue's county, that's unusual and worth confirming — most don't.
Validity and What Happens After the Ceremony
Your Texas marriage license is valid for 90 days from issuance. After your ceremony, your officiant signs the license and returns it to the issuing county for recording. Certified copies for name changes and legal records can typically be ordered online after recording is complete.