Marriage records in Bowie County, Texas, are available through several channels. BowieCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for Bowie County. You can also request records directly from the Bowie County Clerk's office, which issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Records may be obtained online through the Texas vital records system, in person at the County Clerk's office, or by mail. The Texas Department of State Health Services also keeps statewide marriage records on file.
Bowie County Marriage Records Search
The Bowie County Clerk is the official custodian of marriage records in Bowie County, Texas. Under Texas Family Code, county clerks issue marriage licenses and file returned marriage certificates after ceremonies are performed. The Clerk's office maintains records of all marriage licenses issued in Bowie County, along with completed marriage certificates returned by officiants. The office also provides a public record search tool for marriage applications. Historical marriage records dating back to the county's formation are generally held at the Clerk's office, though very old records may have limited index availability.
The Texas DSHS lists the Bowie County Clerk as the local office for obtaining marriage records.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Bowie County
Texas counties follow fee schedules established under the Texas Local Government Code. The following table reflects standard Texas county clerk fees for marriage records. Contact the Bowie County Clerk directly to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | $82.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage record (county level) | $1.00–$6.00 (varies by record type and pages) |
| Marriage record search (state level via DSHS) | $20.00 |
| Certified copy from DSHS (state level) | $20.00 |
| Additional certified copies (same order, state level) | $3.00 each |
Note: County-level certified copy fees are typically lower than state-level fees. The Bowie County Clerk can provide exact pricing for locally held records. The DSHS fees above apply when ordering through the Texas Department of State Health Services for marriages recorded statewide since 1966. Processing times for county requests are usually same-day for in-person visits. State-level mail requests through DSHS may take several weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Bowie County
Online
You can order certified marriage records from the state through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) vital statistics portal. DSHS maintains marriage verification records for events that occurred in Texas from 1966 to the present. The state also contracts with approved vendors for online ordering with credit card payment.
For Bowie County specifically, the County Clerk's website offers a public record search and marriage application tool online.
In Person
Visit the Bowie County Clerk's office during business hours:
Walk-in requests are accepted. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Debit and credit card payments are accepted until 4:00 p.m.; cash and money orders are accepted during all business hours.
By Mail
To request a marriage record by mail from the county, send the following to the Bowie County Clerk at the address above:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and your relationship to the individuals on the record
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- The appropriate fee (check or money order payable to the Bowie County Clerk)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
For state-level requests, mail your completed application and fee to the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit in Austin. Application forms are available on the DSHS vital records website.
If you are unsure whether your record is held locally or at the state level, start by contacting the Bowie County Clerk. The Clerk's office can confirm whether the marriage license was issued in Bowie County and provide guidance on obtaining copies. You can also use BowieCourt.us to search for publicly available Bowie County marriage record information.