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Dallas, Texas Wedding Guide

Become a Wedding Officiant in Dallas as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Texas, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.

How to Officiate a Wedding in Dallas, Texas

We can’t say enough great things about Texas’ northern metropolis, Dallas, as a location for a quintessential American wedding. The Southern city is home to beautiful parks, famous horseback trails, and of course, there’s the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. It also has some of the state’s most regal event spaces, where thousands of classic country western weddings take place each year. But before you start scouring Etsy for the perfect bolo tie, we’ll help you familiarize yourself with the pertinent details regarding Dallas County’s marriage laws.

Our guide explains how to apply for, fill out, sign and submit marriage licenses and lists the most important tips for wedding officiants and couples looking forward to a Dallas wedding.




Texas Wedding Tips and Tricks

Become a Wedding Officiant

For The
Wedding Officiant

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

 

The Texas Statutes § Sec. 2.202 states that "...a person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony..." is authorized to solemnize marriages.

If you have been asked and have agreed to officiating a wedding the first thing you need to do is get ordained with AMM. Our ordination is free, takes only a few minutes, and meets the Texas Statute § Sec. 2.202, giving you the legal ability to officiate wedding ceremonies.

Minister Registration in Dallas
Ministers are not required to register with Dallas County before officiating weddings, nor does Texas law require minister registration with the state. However, if you are performing weddings in the capacity of a minister, the State of Texas requires that you be ordained, such as through AMM. We advise that you keep proof of your ordination for your own records. It is good practice to keep your ministry credentials on hand in case you are asked to produce them for the couple.

 

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Dallas

 

Getting ordained as an AMM minister is the easy part. Your next step is to prepare for the wedding ceremony. For first-time officiants, our wedding training pages are a great resource for learning everything you need to know to perform your first wedding ceremony.

Here we cover everything from explaining the structure of a wedding ceremony, step-by-step instructions on how to write a wedding ceremony script, sample wedding ceremony scripts, and more.

 

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

 

By this point, you should be well prepared to conduct the wedding ceremony. Your one legal responsibility is to complete your section of the couple's marriage license.

Once you, the officiant, have conducted the marriage ceremony, you will be required to verify information on the marriage license, like the date, the couple’s names, and the county in which the ceremony is being performed. Then, hand it off to the couple, who will submit it to the Dallas County Clerk’s office within 10 days of the ceremony.

For more details on filling in the individual fields such as “type of ceremony,” please consult our guide on how to complete a marriage license.

Once the completed marriage license is returned, you have performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant.



Texas Wedding

How To Get Married in Dallas

For The
Couple

File for the Marriage License from the Dallas County Clerk's Office

 

For the couple to obtain their marriage license, both parties must appear before the county clerk, provide proof of identity and age, complete the necessary forms and take the oath printed on the application before the county clerk.

 

Dallas marriage license applications can also be completed online. Once this is completed you will recieve an order number with which you can book your appointment.

 

When you go, remember to bring:

 

  • Current photo ID (driver's license, state-issued photo ID, U.S. passport or U.S. passport card, U.S. military ID, permanent resident card, or a birth certificate with a valid photo ID)
  • $81 in cash

 

Make sure you arrive on time for your appointment!

Dallas County Marriage License Info

Important Facts to know before filing for a marriage license in Dallas, Texas.

Issuance Office: Dallas County Clerk's Office

Fee: $81

Waiting Period: 3 Days Before Completing

Expiration: 90 Days

Return: 10 Days from Wedding

Dallas Wedding Tips and Tricks

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

For The Couple
& Officiant

The Basics

 

Dallas offers a wide array of venue options that run the gamut from high-end urban hotels, to scenic country clubs, to low-key refurbished barn spaces. Whether you’re planning a black-tie affair, or a laid back country-western hoedown, Dallas has you covered.

Take note of the various festivals that take place throughout the year, like the Dallas International Film Festival in May, the State Fair of Texas during the fall, and the Pride parade in June, which may draw in extra crowds and hike up hotel prices. It’s better to plan your event outside the dates of these highly attended Dallas traditions.

 

Transportation

 

The city is not well-known for having good public transportation. Residents like to complain about the DART system’s frequent transfers and long rides. Depending on the venue’s location, guests might want to take a Lyft and Uber, which are available throughout the city.

 

Weather

 

The city’s climate is important is also a factor in choosing your wedding venue, with four distinct seasons to consider. Temperatures can soar during the summer months, but winter is quite autumn and winter are mild, with daytime highs averaging at about 65°F, making both seasons good options for a wedding date. Spring temperatures are usually bearable, but the season is known for an occasional thunderstorm, so if you are planning an outdoor wedding, mitigating for a potential downpour during festivities is wise.

 

Tips For Finding The Right Wedding Officiant

 

Finding the right wedding officiant starts with a conversation about what sort of wedding ceremony you want to have. Will it be a big, public event, or a small intimate ceremony with family and close friends? Once you’ve got that squared away, here are some points to consider when choosing an officiant:

 

  • You want an officiant who is compatible with the ceremony you are planning. That means someone who is articulate, who is not afraid to speak in front of an audience, and who understands the honor of being asked to deliver your ceremony.
  • Find a friend or family member who is going to create and deliver a wedding ceremony that fits you.
  • Find an officiant who shares your values and beliefs. You want someone who will work with you to create a ceremony that is meaningful and personal to you. Consider asking someone who has known you since you were both kids, has grown with you, and who shares your vision and spiritual disposition.
  • Make sure to give the family member or friend time to think about their answer, and (this is a tough one!) don’t take it personally if they say ‘no.’
  • Seek guidance and assistance, especially if this is the friend or family member’s first time delivering a wedding ceremony.



Dallas Officiant FAQ

Dallas Officiant & Couples FAQ

For The Couple
& Officiant


How do we register a relative or friend to perform our ceremony?

Relatives and friends can perform ceremonies in Dallas county as long as they meet the criteria outlined in Texas state law. AMM can help your friends and relatives become officiants.
 

Can requests for marriage licenses be made online?

At present, the Dallas county clerk does not allow online or via email applications. All request must be submitted in person or by mail. (can you get the process started online?)
 

How do I pay for my marriage license?

The county clerk’s office accepts cash and credit/debit cards in person, but only money orders (no cash) through the mail.

OFFICIANT CEREMONY
PREPARATION IN

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!

Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Checkout the AMM Blog

Stay up-to-date with the latest wedding industry trends.

Read our sample wedding ceremony scripts online

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!

Wedding Officiant Training

Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

Take Our Quiz

Test your understanding of Texas Marriage Laws.

GET ORDAINED
WITH AMM

Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!