Fort Bend County Marriage Record Search

A Fort Bend County marriage record search involves searching official databases to view or copy information about a person's union. This search typically provides access to the couple's name, license number, application date, marriage date, and the officiant's name, signature, and address. A requester can use certified copies of marriage records obtained in Fort Bend County for official purposes like change of name, filing taxes, divorce, or buying a home. Marriage information may be included in the Fort Bend County court records to facilitate related legal proceedings.

Are Marriage Records Public?

Yes. Married records are public information under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). The PIA ensures county clerks release the marriage records in their custody to members of the public. This makes it easy for individuals to inspect and copy them through the methods these record custodians provide. Specifically, the Fort Bend County Clerk provides access to marriage records online, by mail, email, and in person during business hours. However, the clerk redacts some information included in marriage licenses before releasing them to the public (Tex. Gov't Code § 552.141). For example, a marriage license record will not carry a couple's social security number.

Types of Marriage Records in Fort Bend County

Record seekers can submit requests to access any of the following types of marriage records in Fort Bend County:

• Formal Marriage License: This Fort Bend County Clerk-issued document shows that a couple is legally married. A formal marriage license becomes available once a couple has gotten married within 90 days of purchasing a license and after completing the 72-hour waiting period. The person who officiated the wedding will return the marriage license to the clerk's office within 30 days after the ceremony. The clerk will record the license and make it available for public perusal.
• Informal Marriage License: This is a document that declares a marriage without formalities occurred in Fort Bend County. It also shows that the subjects of the record agree to live together in Texas as married couples and are presented to others as such.
• Keepsake Marriage Certificate: This document is only available for individuals who obtained a formal or informal marriage license from the Fort Bend County Clerk's office. The certificate is not a legal document but is usually beautifully designed so individuals can showcase them to commemorate their marriage. Interested persons can request a copy of a keepsake marriage certificate by completing the request form and submitting it to the Fort Bend County Clerk's office by email or in person. A copy of the certificate costs $25.
• Marriage verification letter: This letter verifies whether a marriage has been recorded with the state. It cannot be used as a substitute for a marriage license and is obtainable online, by mail, and in person at the Texas Vital Statistics.

How to Find Marriage Records in Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County marriage records are available at the following locations:

• Third-party online databases
• Texas Vital Statistics ( online, by mail, and in-person)
• Use the links on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's website
• The Fort Bend County Clerk's Office (online, by email, by mail, and in-person)

Fort Bend County Marriage License Lookup

The Fort Bend County Clerk Vital Records Division provides various methods for individuals to purchase records of couples who bought and filed their marriage licenses with them. Requesters must print out and complete the Request Form and send it to the clerk's office by email at cclerkrecords@fortbendcountytx.gov, online, or through mail at:

Fort Bend County Clerk
301 Jackson Street,
STE #101
Richmond, TX 77469

Customers can also submit a request in person at any office location from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $21 if the clerk conducts the search. However, customers can search for a marriage license themselves through the Clerk's Web Access portal and pay a per-page copy fee. The fee is $1 per page, $5 per certification (for certified copies) and $1 for vitals preservation fee. The clerk does not accept personal or business checks for marriage license records. Customers must pay their fee by money order, cash (for in-person orders), cashier's check, or credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express).

Where Do I Get A Certified Copy Of My Marriage Certificate

Fort Bend County residents can get certified copies of marriage certificates from the clerk's office via the following methods:

• Online: Certified copies of marriage certificates can be purchased online via the Web Access portal or through an approved third-party vendor. The portal offers a more affordable option at $7, though requesters must conduct the search themselves. In contrast, orders placed through the vendor cost $33.95 (including processing fees), with the clerk handling the search. Payments can be made using credit cards (Discover, Master Card, Visa, and American Express).
• By email or mail: Requesters can complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Marriage License Form and email it to the clerk at cclerkrecords@fbctx.gov. They can also mail the form to the clerk. A fee of $21 per certified copy is required to process the request.
• In-person: During business hours, individuals can purchase certified copies of marriage certificates by visiting the clerk's office. They must complete a form and pay the necessary search and copy fees.

Get Marriage Certificate Online in Fort Bend County

The Fort Bend County Clerk processes online requests for marriage certificates through the Web Access portal and a third-party vendor. To use the portal, click the Marriage tab and enter a name, license number, application date range, and marriage date range in the appropriate search box or select a license status. Users can click the view or license number link to view or download an unofficial marriage certificate online for free. To purchase a certified copy of a marriage certificate, add the desired record to the basket and proceed to pay for it. It costs $1 per page, $5 per certification, and $1 for vitals preservation fee. Certified copies take about 24 to 72 hours to process.

To place orders through the third-party portal, they must provide the couple's full name, marriage date, place of marriage, self-identification, and proof of relationship. The first copy of a marriage certificate costs $21, but the third-party vendor charges an extra processing fee of $12.95. Customers can use credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express to make payments.

Find Public Marriage Records Free Online

Requesters can find public marriage records online for free in Fort Bend County through the Clerk's Web Access portal. The search parameters are name, license number, application date range, marriage date range, and license status. Alternatively, interested individuals can use third-party databases for their public marriage records searches without paying charges. Most of these databases offer free search options that return only limited information. They do not provide access to confidential marriage records and make comprehensive records available for a small fee.