Sec. 118.018. MARRIAGE LICENSE. (a) The fee for "Marriage License" under Section 118.011 is for issuing a marriage license. The fee must be paid at the time the license is issued, except as provided by Subsection (b-1).

(b) The fee includes every service relating to issuance of the license, including preparing the application, filing health certificates, administering oaths, filing waivers and orders of the county judge, and issuing and recording all papers including the return of the license.

(b-1) The county clerk shall issue a marriage license without collecting a marriage license fee from an applicant who:

(1) completes a premarital education course described by Section 2.013, Family Code;

(2) provides to the county clerk a premarital education course completion certificate indicating completion of the premarital education course not more than one year before the date the marriage license application is filed with the clerk; and

(3) provides proof satisfactory to the county clerk that the applicant is a resident of this state.

(c) A person applying for a marriage license may make a voluntary contribution of $5 to promote healthy early childhood by supporting the Texas Home Visiting Program administered by the Office of Early Childhood Coordination of the Health and Human Services Commission. A county clerk shall collect the additional voluntary contribution under this section.

(d) If neither applicant for a marriage license provides proof satisfactory to the county clerk that the applicant is a resident of this state, the county clerk may collect an additional fee of $100 for issuing the marriage license.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 185, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 209, Sec. 75(a), eff. Jan. 1, 2004.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 327 (H.B. 2685), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2008.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 327 (H.B. 2685), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2008.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 820 (S.B. 1836), Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 695 (H.B. 555), Sec. 5, eff. June 12, 2017.