A Marriage License Certificate is a government issued document declaring to the world that two people have been authorized by the law of the State to enter the ‘Rites of Matrimony’. Marriage licenses have been around since the Middle Ages and are often required for filing taxes, buying a home and other important life events.
An Assumed Name or Doing Business As (DBA) is the registering or securing of a company or business name, owner(s) name, and address in which the company or business entity will be located and conducting business. Any individual doing business in Harris County is required to file an Assumed Name reflecting his/her business name and the ownership of the business pursuant to Business and Commerce Code 71.001. The Harris County Clerk's Office files unincorporated and withdrawals of Assumed Names.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) documents are certain financing statements and other documents provided for under the Uniform Commercial Code. UCC documents are filed in both the Real Property & Personal Records Department. Please contact the department directly to determine which department to file in. See Real Property for information about filing in that department.
Vital Records (birth and death certificates) are not public records. The requests for these documents can be made by immediate family members (self, parents, grandparents, legal spouse, sibling or children - all with valid identification). For additional help contact the Vital Statistics desk at 713-274-8690.
DD-214 or Military Discharge Paper is a document that is given to a person that has completed their service in the Armed Forces of the United States. This document contains pertinent information pertaining to their service and discharge from the military.
The DD-214’s can be filed in person or by mail in the Personal Records Department. The nine annex offices can accept them for filing, however it may take 5 – 7 business days to be filed based upon delivery of work to the downtown office.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code provides the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (T.A.B.C.) with the authority to regulate all aspects of alcoholic beverage manufacture, distribution, and consumption in the State of Texas. However, this code allows local communities (county, city and justice precinct) the right to determine the kind of alcohol sales within their communities.
The County Clerk's Office must certify the pre-qualification packet of the T.A.B.C. by verifying wet/dry status, permit type for the address location indicated on the application, date of certification and that the address is within Harris County.
Miscellaneous Personal Records (MPR) consist of Hospital Liens and Releases, Notice of Meetings, Power of Attorney for Minors, and Bills of Sale.
Personal Financial Statements are filed at no charge. They can be filed either in person in the Personal Records Department or filed electronically through our online filing system.
Animal Brands are the registering of the markings or branding of animal/cattle with the county in which the animal/cattle is located. The owner of the animal/cattle must come in person with valid identification to register.
An Assumed Name or "DBA" is the registering or securing of a company or business name, owner(s) name, and address in which the company or business entity will be located and conducting business. Any individual doing business in Harris County is required to file an Assumed Name reflecting his/her business name and the ownership of the business pursuant to Business and Commerce Code 71.001 . The Harris County Clerk's Office files unincorporated and withdrawals of Assumed Names.
TX Business & Commerce Code, Ch 71, Sec. 71.103 require Incorporated DBA’s to be filed with the TX Secretary of State.
Research the name of your business by visiting our Assumed Name database to determine the availability of the name of the business. Please note that the Assumed Name record is valid for up to ten years. To avoid a lapse, the owner(s) should register the name again, before the term period ends.
Filing an Assumed Name can be done in person at anyone of our 11 locations or by mail. Contact the Personal Records Department for information.
The term for an Assumed Name can be from one (1) year to ten (10) years from the registration date.
The Harris County Clerk’s Office is only the filing agent for Assumed Names applications which is registering the business name. For legal advice on starting a business the owner(s) may need to contact an attorney.
Contact the office of the Texas Secretary of State.
To change the address on your Assumed Name, you can either withdraw the current name and refile it with the updated address or just refile it with the updated address. Please note that the address does not appear on the certificate, just the application and it is not necessary to update the address with our records. We recommend that you update your address with the other entities that you have information on file with concerning your Assumed Name.
The applicant must obtain the pre-qualification packet from the T.A.B.C. office and follow the instructions listed on the form.
A Marriage License Certificate is a government issued document declaring to the world that two people have been authorized by the law of the State to enter the ‘Rites of Matrimony’.
Marriage licenses have been around since the Middle Ages and are often required for filing taxes, buying a home, and other important life events.
Both applicants can apply for a Marriage License in person at one of our 11 locations . Valid I.D. is required and the fee is $81.00. Without proof of state residency on a valid form of identification from at least one applicant the fee will be $181.00.
If for any reason a marriage applicant is unable to be present when purchasing the license, an Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License form should be completed, signed and notarized.
Licenses should be returned to our office for recording, after the ceremony has been performed. Return the license either in person to any location or by mail. Upon being returned to our office, original Marriage Licenses can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to be returned to you. If you do not receive the license after that time period, please call the Personal Records Department at 713-274-8686.
Please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to find out the answer to many of your questions. If you cannot locate the answer among these pages, then feel free to send an e-mail to our office and we will provide you with a timely response or point you in the proper direction if we do not have the appropriate answer.
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Instructions for Completing an Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License
Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License
An Informal Marriage, or common-law marriage, is legal in Texas. Both applicants must appear in person to file a Declaration of Informal Marriage. The couple must list the date on the declaration from which they have considered themselves married.
Both applicants will need to provide valid identification (State Issued I.D., Driver's License, Passport, etc.)
The fee is $46.00
Certified copies ordered when filing are $6.00 each.
County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth has not forgotten those who have one of the old style Marriage Licenses, and is pleased to make available a new document to celebrate and certify an existing Marriage License or Declaration of Informal Marriage License issued by Harris County. The new ‘Certification of Marriage’ Certificate not only certifies that a couple’s Marriage License is legally filed with the Clerk’s office, but makes an excellent anniversary gift suitable for framing. “It also is a great way to rekindle memories or just say “I Love You!”
We offer a single-sided, color document to anyone that purchased and was issued their Marriage License or Informal Marriage License in Harris County.
The cost is $25.00 and can be obtained from any location or by mail.
Marriage Licenses can be obtained in person at anyone of our 11 locations . Contact the Personal Records Department for information.
You must have a valid ID such as a driver's license, ID card issued by DPS, valid passport, resident alien card, or other U.S. government issued identification.
Both applicants must have been divorced 30 days before applying for a Marriage License.
The fee is $81.00.
Witnesses are not required to purchase the Marriage License nor are they required to attend the marriage ceremony.
Applicants can obtain a Marriage License from any one of our 11 locations.
There is a 72 hour waiting period and the license should be signed by the officiant no more than 90 days from the date of issuance.
Per the Texas Family Code §2.202:
The following persons are authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony:
If one of the applicants cannot be present at the time the Marriage License is purchased, you will need to obtain the Instructions for Completing an Absent Applicant Affidavit and the Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License. The applicant that cannot appear in our office to purchase the marriage must complete the form and have it signed and notarized and supply a copy of their valid I.D. before the marriage licensed can be purchased. If one person is incarcerated, they can obtain an absent applicant form but both applicants must be present for the ceremony. Contact the jail/prison system for information on this process. Per Texas Family Code Section 2.007, a proxy cannot be appointed for the absent applicant unless the absent applicant is a member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation.
No, Harris County Clerk’s office can only file or register a Marriage License that was purchased originally in the Harris County Clerk’s Office.
The Marriage License is valid in every county in the United States. Our office suggests that before the applicants purchase a Marriage License in Harris County they will need to confirm with the officiant performing their ceremony whether or not they have the authority to sign a Texas Marriage License and perform the ceremony using that license.
The Marriage License is valid in every county in the United States. Our office suggests that before the applicants purchase a Harris County Marriage License they need to inquire about destination weddings and what is required in the country where the wedding ceremony is going to be performed.
The 72 hour waiting period is automatically waived for active military personnel; however you will need to present your active military ID upon the purchase of the marriage license.
No blood test is required to obtain a marriage license in the State of Texas.
Harris County Marriage Licenses must be signed and completed by the officiant before recording. The license can be returned to any one of our 11 locations in person or by mail to Harris County Clerk's Office, ATTN: Personal Records, P. O. Box 1525, Houston, Texas 77251-1525.
Contact the Texas Secretary of State in Austin for apostilles or authentication of documents.
Upon being returned to our office, original Marriage Licenses can take anywhere up to thirty (30) days to be returned to you. If you do not receive the license after that time period, contact the Personal Records Department directly at 713-274-8686.
If divorced in Harris County contact the Harris County District Clerk’s Office to obtain a copy.
The marriage applicant changing their name will need to take the original marriage license or a certified copy of the marriage license to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Social Security Office to start the change process.
Certified or plain copies can be made in person at any of our 11 locations . If by mail, email, or fax please contact the Public Records Department.
Vital Records (birth and death certificates) are not public records. The requests for these documents can be made by immediate family members (self, parents, grandparents, legal spouse, sibling or children - all with valid identification). For additional help contact the Vital Statistics desk at 713-274-8690.
Certified copies of birth certificates can be securely purchased online for an additional convenience fee. Click here to purchase a birth certificate online.
A birth certificate is a permanent legal record of an individual's birth. The Harris County Clerk's office can provide a short form birth certificate for anyone born in the State of Texas. The Harris County Clerk's Office maintains birth certificates outside the city limits of Houston, City of Baytown, City of La Porte, City of South Houston, Jacinto City, as well as Justice of the Peace Precincts 3 & 4.
When requesting a copy of birth certificate by mail complete the Application for Certified Copy of Texas Birth or Death Certificate and a Notarized Proof of Identification form (which must be signed and notarized) include a copy of your valid identification (State Issued I.D., Driver's License, Passport, etc.) along with your payment.
Application for Certified Copy of Texas Birth or Death Certificate
If we have the long form on record we will send it to you otherwise you will receive the short form with the individual's name, date of birth, parent's name and county of birth.
The fee is $23.00 each.Please do not send cash or personal checks through the mail. Please send either a cashier ‘s check or money order made payable to: Harris County Clerk.
The Texas Department of State Health Services can provide long form birth certificates originating from any county in the State of Texas. Visit their site HERE.
For birth certificates from the City of Houston, visit their site HERE.
A death certificate is a permanent legal record of an individual's death. The certificate of death includes the name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, and cause of death. The Harris County Clerk's Office maintains death certificates outside the city limits of Houston, City of Baytown, City of La Porte, City of South Houston, Jacinto City, as well as Justice of the Peace Precincts 3 & 4.
When requesting a copy of death certificate by mail complete the Application for Certified Copy of Texas Birth or Death Certificate and a Notarized Proof of Identification form (which must be signed and notarized) include a copy of your valid identification (State Issued I.D., Driver's License, Passport, etc.) along with your payment.
The fee is $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy purchased at the same time. Please do not send cash or personal checks through the mail. Please send either a cashier ‘s check or money order made payable to: Harris County Clerk.
To obtain a death certificate from the City of Baytown, visit their site HERE.
To obtain a death certificate from the City of Houston, visit their site HERE.
Birth or death certificates can only be requested by immediate family members such as self, parents, grandparents, legal spouse, sibling or children. Valid Identification is required.
Requests can be made in person at any one of our 11 locations or by mail.
Requests for deaths that occurred in our jurisdiction can be made in person at any one of our 11 locations or by mail.
| Assumed Name | |
| Notarized | $24.00 First Owner + .50 for Each Additional Owner |
| Non-Notarized | $25.00 First Owner + .50 for Each Additional Owner + $1.00 Witnessing Fee Per Document Filed |
| Withdrawal - Notarized | $23.00 First Owner + .50 for Each Additional Owner |
| Withdrawal - Assumed Name (Non-Notarized) | $24.00 First Owner + .50 for Each Additional Owner + $1.00 Witnessing Fee Per Document Filed |
Note: Military Veterans Fee is $2.00 less than listed above along with no charge for additional owners with proof of Military Veterans status at the time of purchase.
| Regular Beer License | $6.00 |
| Beer Late Hours Only | $6.00 |
| Beer and Late Hours | $11.00 |
| Mixed Beverage License | $16.00 |
| Mixed Beverage Late Hours (Only) | $11.00 |
| Mixed Beverage and Late Hours | $26.00 |
| Package Store | $5.00 |
| Wholesaler's License | $6.00 |
| Wholesaler's Permit | $5.00 |
Local Government Code
Section. 118.001 A county clerk shall collect the following fees for services rendered to any person:
| Affidavit | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Agreement | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Audit | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Bill of Sale | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Bond Approval | $16.00 |
| Budget | $109.00 |
| Budget Amendment | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Certified Papers | $5.00 For the Clerk’s Certificate + $1.00 each additional page or part of a page (sec. 118.060) |
| Deputations | No Fee |
| Deputation Revocations | No Fee |
| Election Agreement | No Fee |
| Election Appointment | No Fee |
| Election Report | No Fee |
| Election Affidavit | No Fee |
| Election Letter | No Fee |
| Hospital Lien | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Lottery Bond | $18.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Notice of Meeting Posting | $9.00 |
| Power of Attorney (Minor) | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Permit | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Release of Hospital Lien | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Release of Federal Tax Lien | $12.00 |
| Stevedores Application | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Stevedores Bond | $34.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Warehouseman’s Application | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Warehouseman’s Bond | $29.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
| Warehouseman’s Cancellation | $25.00 + $4.00 ea additional page with any mark(s) |
The county clerk may set and collect the following fee from any person: Returned Check (Local Government Code Section 118.0215) is $30.00
The clerk shall charge reasonable fees for performing other duties prescribed or authorized by statute for which a fee is not prescribed by this subchapter.
| There is no fee for filing. |
| The fee is $25.00 |
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