Conduct a Free El Paso Marriage Records Search (Resource)

View El Paso marriage records for free to uncover a wealth of information.

Whether you’re looking to find out someone’s relationship status, need a copy of your license, or are conducting genealogy research, these records are available for inspection or even making copies.

This resource goes over the most efficient ways to find marriage records in El Paso County, Texas, and explains how couples can apply for a new marriage license.

How To Complete an El Paso Marriage Records Lookup

If you want to find out if someone has been married in El Paso County, you can look this information up online by using the county’s Record Search Tool.¹

Once you’ve entered your search criteria, you’ll see a list of marriages made in El Paso County. For each marriage, you’ll be able to see the full names of both participants, as well as the date on which the wedding took place.

This is the extent of the search; unlike some other marriage record search tools, you won’t be able to view any documents such as a license application.

If you wish to obtain a complete copy of a marriage record, you can order one from the El Paso County Clerk. The clerk’s office is responsible for maintaining El Paso marital records. No city or municipal agencies can issue copies of these records.

Anyone can order a certified copy of a marriage license — unlike in some other counties across the U.S., requesters do not need to be one of the parties listed on the document or their relatives. However, you must know the names of both parties listed on the record, as well as the date of the marriage.

You can order a certified copy of a marriage license from the County Clerk for $7 apiece. The office does not currently offer uncertified copies.

You can pay for your copies with cash; a money order, cashier’s check, or business check made out to “El Paso County Clerk”; or a credit or debit card.

If paying with a credit card, you’ll have to pay an additional 2.19% convenience fee. There’s a flat service fee of $2.95 for using a debit card. You can find the complete County Clerk fee schedule online.²

To order a marriage license copy from the County Clerk, researchers must apply in person. There’s no way to order a copy directly from the office over the phone, via email, etc.

The County Clerk has several office locations throughout El Paso County where you may order a marriage record copy.³ They are:

If you’re unable to visit one of the County Clerk locations in person, you can also order copies online by using VitalChek, a third-party service. Copies ordered through this method cost $7 each, plus a $10 processing fee. You may use a debit or credit card to pay.

If you’re working on a genealogical study, you may need to consult other sources for early records. This will be detailed in the next section of this article.

How To Acquire Archived Marriage Records in El Paso County Texas

As mentioned above, the El Paso County Clerk is the county’s official custodian for vital records. There is no separate county archives agency that manages these documents or indexes of El Paso marital records.

That said, there are a few organizations that can be helpful when tracking down old marriage records. They include:

• The El Paso County Historical Society, which maintains collections of old documents.⁴
• Local newspapers, including the El Paso Times, which has been in circulation since 1881.
• The El Paso Genealogical Society.
• The El Paso Library’s Border Heritage Center, which features some digital archives.⁵
• Local churches.

In addition, the Texas State Library & Archives Commission’s collections include marriage indexes dating from 1966 to 2005.⁶ These include indexes of marriage records from El Paso County.

You can view these records for free by visiting the Reference Reading Room at the Library and Archives location in Austin, Texas. Here’s the address and contact information:

Texas State Library & Archives Commission
1201 Brazos Street
Austin, TX 78701

Phone: 512.463.5474 (general)
Phone: 512.463.5455 (reference desk)
Email: [email protected]

It’s worth noting that common-law marriages, also known as “informal marriages” are legal in El Paso County, Texas. The Texas Family Code defines a common-law marriage as an agreement between a couple to be married and live together as husband and wife. They must also represent themselves to others as being a married couple.

Although it’s not mandatory, couples can register their informal marriage through the County Clerk. The section of this article on obtaining a marriage license will contain details on how to do so.

How To Find Texas Marriage Records That Occurred Nearby or Outside of El Paso County

If you’re not finding the information you’re looking for from El Paso marital records, you may need to widen your search.

The Texas Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) Vital Statistics Unit allows members of the public to request marriage verification letters. These documents are not substitutes for actual marriage licenses, but they provide information about the registrants and the wedding date.

It’s important to note that these letters are available only to the registrants listed on the marriage record. You will need to provide proof of your identity in order to successfully request one of these documents.

You can order a verification letter from the state online by using the online form.⁷ You will need to scan a copy of a valid photo ID card in order to use this option. The cost for a marriage verification letter is $20, payable with a credit or debit card.⁸

Alternatively, you can complete the Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record form found online and either mail it in or bring it to a DSHS location.⁹

You must submit a clear photocopy of your ID, as well as the $20 fee, payable with a check or money order made out to “DSHS – Vital Statistics.”

The mailing address is:

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Vital Statistics Unit
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 79711

Phone: 888.963.7111

If you’d like to bring the form in person to a DSHS office, you’ll find an index of locations online.

The DSHS website also features a database of marriage record indexes dating back to 1966.¹⁰ You can download a zip file that contains all of the index entries for a particular year. The indexes include the following information:

• The names of both wedding registrants
• Their ages
• The date of the marriage
• The place where the marriage took place

How To Apply for a Marriage License in El Paso County Texas

Applying for a marriage license in El Paso County is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to request one from the El Paso County Clerk.¹¹ This can be done online by using the Online Marriage Application or in person by visiting one of the County Clerk’s office locations:¹²

In order to qualify for a marriage license, both parties must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Supply their full names
• Supply their Social Security numbers
• Present government-issued photo ID cards
• Supply an official divorce decree or death certificate for a deceased spouse (if necessary)

If ordering a license online, both parties must appear in person to pick up the license and to pay. The Clerk’s Office accepts cash, as well as money orders, cashier’s checks, and business checks made payable to “El Paso County Clerk.”

You can also pay with a credit card for an additional 2.19% convenience fee or a debit card for a $2.95 processing fee.

The cost of a marriage license is $81 if the registrants are Texas residents. If the registrants are from outside the state, the cost is $181.

For $46, you can also apply for an “Informal Marriage License,” which is an official record of a common-law marriage. The ordering process is the same as for a marriage license.

Once you’ve received your license, you must wait 72 hours before the wedding can take place. The waiting period is waived if one of the applicants is a member of the U.S. military on active duty.

El Paso County marriage licenses can be used for a wedding anywhere in the state of Texas. However, they expire after 90 days. After this period, the couple must apply for another license.

Using the information in this article, searchers should be able to efficiently find the El Paso marriage records they’re looking for.