How to Officiate a Wedding in Arlington, Texas

So, you’ve been asked to officiate a wedding in Arlington Texas, or someone popped the question and you’re planning your wedding. Either way, congratulations because no matter what your role in this wedding, there’s a lot of room for communication and planning and good weddings start with awesome officiants, imaginative couples, and lots of love. 

Sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington Texas lies in the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area, one of the most dynamic and populous regions of the country. 

This isn’t some dusty western town with tumbleweed blowing down main street. Au contraire, Arlington has much to offer when it comes to arts and culture. From the visual and performing arts to museums and historical sites, there is something to satisfy everyone when visiting Arlington.

That means that when it comes to weddings, you’ve got options and our goal here is to get you familiar with the bureaucratic details and send you onward to plan the fun stuff!

Step 1: Get Ordained with the American Marriage Ministries 

According to Texas state law, the following are the only ones that are legally able to officiate a marriage:

• A licensed or ordained minister or priest 
• Jewish rabbi
• Officer of a religious organization  
• Justice of the peace, retired judge or justice, judges from numerous courts

Not ordained yet? You can take care of that right here on this website. Since you may have to show proof that you’re legally able to perform weddings in the state of Texas, we’ve got you covered with that too. If you got ordained through AMM, it’s easy to get an official copy of our ordination certificate, which never expires, and can be used as often as needed. 

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Tarrant County

Now that we’ve taken care of the certification part; it’s time to prepare to officiate the wedding. Being asked to officiate a wedding is a great honor, and you should do everything you can to deliver a memorable ceremony. 

Our wedding officiant training offers tips on getting it right, as well as information and guides that can help you reduce your anxiety about officiating, especially if this is your first wedding. Find scripts to practice and get inspired by, training materials, and more; so that you are prepared when the big day comes. 

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

Check to make sure that the couple has the necessary marriage license because once you sign it, it is a legal document. That means, check that all the names and dates are correct. 

Once signed, your job is done and the couple takes care of the rest!

For a standard wedding, you will need to file for your formal marriage license. The requirements are:

• Both parties must appear in person.
• Both parties must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid, government-issued picture identification. 
• Social Security number.

Licensing office:
 

Tarrant County Clerk

200 Taylor Street, Suite 301

Fort Worth, TX 76196

A formal marriage license can be obtained from any county in Texas and the marriage can be performed anywhere.

There is a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the marriage ceremony can take place. The 72-hour waiting period can be waived by meeting one of three criteria.

1. One or both of the couple are members of the armed forces of the United States and on active duty.
2. The applicant obtains a 72-hour waiver signed by a District Judge.
3. Applicants possess a valid Twogether in Texas Certificate. Certificate must be shown to the person who performs the ceremony.

The marriage must take place within 90 days from the date of issuance--no exceptions.

The fee is $75 cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover.  The fee is $15 for couples who attend the State of Texas approved Marriage Education Class and present a valid Twogether in Texas Certificate. 

ONLINE APPLICATIONS

Marriage license applications may be filled out and saved online. However, applicants must appear in person to sign and purchase the marriage license.

The Basics

Planning a wedding in Arlington Texas can be overwhelming given the sheer volume of venues, wedding professionals, and seasonal factors. That said, our advice is to start well in advance and to look at local event calendars before locking in your date. 

Weather

Texas has a reputation for heat, and in the summers, Arlington can get downright hellish. Make sure your guests dress appropriately if you are planning an outdoor wedding during the summer months. Central Texas doesn’t get much rain, so you don’t have to worry about rainstorms passing through very often. It’s the heat that you want to be aware of, especially if you’re the outdoors type. Most venues come with A/C, so your guests and the bridal party should be comfortable during the ceremony and reception.

Transportation

There are a number of ways to get around town. With local bus systems, Lyft, Uber, and local highways; guests should able to make their way to the local of the wedding with ease. Traffic can get gnarly though, so be aware of congestion. If you need to move crowds, or want to step things up a bit, the bridal party may be more comfortable in limos, or large busses that cater to weddings.