You must have a licensed or ordained minister, priest or rabbi, or a judge or justice of the peace performing your ceremony. Additional wedding witnesses aren't required in Texas. Texas residents can obtain a marriage license from any county in the state.
Under Texas Family Code Section 6.201, marriages between persons who are related within prohibited degrees of consanguinity are void. Similarly, Section 6.202 addresses bigamous marriages, rendering them void. Section 6.205 covers underage marriages, specifying the circumstances under which such marriages are invalid.
A couple who intends to be married in Texas must apply, in person, for a marriage license at a Texas County Clerk's Office. The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and the groom in the presence of the county clerk.
Understand that whether you are “familiar” with the process of signing and filing a License or not, your signature carries a lot of responsibility on your part. In Texas, Failure To File A Wedding License within 30 Days is a Crime.
Section 2.204 - 72-Hour Waiting Period; Exceptions (a) Except as provided by this section, a marriage ceremony may not take place during the 72-hour period immediately following the issuance of the marriage license.
Since marriage licenses are public records, anyone may request a copy of marriage license by completing a Marriage License Copy Request Form and submitting it to the County Clerk.
How long do we need to be together? Texas law does not require the couple to be together for a specific period of time before they can declare themselves to be in a common law marriage. As long as both parties agree to the three elements listed in Section 2.401, they meet the requirements of a common law marriage.
A spouse in a common law marriage can enjoy the added financial perks of: Life insurance death benefits. Disability benefits. Social Security survivor's benefits.
Community Property: Texas follows a community property system. As a common law spouse, you may have a claim to a share of community property acquired during the marriage. Community property includes assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the marriage.
Usually at their address, but it can also be done elsewhere if necessary. However, you can begin the divorce proceeding without their participation if the Judge is satisfied that they had notice of the divorce proceeding or you tried to notify them.