{"id":6277,"name":"El Paso","state_id":55,"county_id":2721,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:33:32.756-07:00","updated_at":"2023-11-11T06:26:16.627-08:00","meta_description":"learn how to legally officiate and plan wedding ceremonies in El Paso, Texas","head_tag":"An El Paso Wedding Guide for Wedding Ministers and Couples","tagline":"Over the borderline...","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eThe city of El Paso, nestled right on the Texas and Mexico border, is a rock solid location for your Texas wedding. And with the traditional Texas separation of church and state, it\u0026rsquo;s surprisingly easy to get ordained and perform weddings, despite the conservative bent of local government.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you\u0026rsquo;re a native of Texas or you are planning on marrying a Texan, we think that El Paso is a perfect spot to gather your friends and loved ones for a simple ceremony, or perhaps even an elaborate event with live country and world-class BBQ -- whatever your style we are here to help!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut before you jump into planning the fun stuff, let us help you with the technical details, starting with getting your minister of choice ordained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the El Paso County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.epcounty.com/clerk/\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e, the wedding officiant should be a minister or member of the clergy, and you do not need to register with the county. If you\u0026rsquo;re not ordained by a religious organization, you\u0026rsquo;re in luck. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e with AMM -- the process is free and takes just a few minutes. Once you\u0026rsquo;ve got that box checked, we\u0026rsquo;ll get to the good stuff.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in El Paso County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that you\u0026rsquo;ve got your credentials taken care of, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is a true honor, but requires a bit of preparation. Don\u0026rsquo;t worry, with hundreds-of-thousands of successful AMM weddings and counting, we\u0026rsquo;ve seen it all and our training tools are all you need! You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to sign the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, and the officiants responsibility to return the completed license to the county clerk. El Paso County requires a 72 hour waiting period from the issuance of the marriage license and the wedding ceremony, and the wedding ceremony must be completed within 90 days of issuance or the marriage license will expire.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. As the officiant, your duty is to return the completed marriage license to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office before 90 days from the date of issuance, and within 30 days of the date the ceremony is conducted. Ideally, the license should be returned right away, since that\u0026rsquo;s when the marriage is recorded into government records.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the El Paso County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo get your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s office at:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEl Paso County Courthouse\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n500 East San Antonio Suite 105\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nEl Paso, Texas 79901\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is not a requirement by El Paso County that you are a Texas resident, however, there is a 72 hour waiting period if you and your spouse obtain the marriage license from the El Paso County clerk before the ceremony can take place. This waiting period is waived if you or your spouse are active duty military, or if you complete the \u003ca href=\"https://twogetherintexas.com/UI/Faq.aspx\"\u003eTwogether in Texas\u003c/a\u003e premarital education 8-hour course.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, remember to bring the following:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$82 for the marriage license\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoto IDs\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial Security Numbers (if applicable)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor non-residents the marriage license fee is $182\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve completed your marriage application, there is a three-day waiting period before you can use it -- so make sure you complete this process a week before the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEl Paso is a remarkable city with historical roots tracing back before Europeans first arrived. There is an abundance of natural beauty and traditional Mexican culture to be explored, and worth visiting on its own merits. Be sure to take a look at the city\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://visitelpaso.com/events/annual_events\"\u003eevent pages \u003c/a\u003ebefore you select your wedding date since large events draw crowds and will quickly fill up hotels.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to select a wedding venue here are a few suggestions to get you started. El Paso has a lot of variety, like the beautiful adobe \u003ca href=\"https://losportalesvenue.com/\"\u003eLos Portales Venue\u003c/a\u003e, built in 1932 and located in the vineyard area of the Upper Rio Grande, Los Portales has served many purposes, including a women\u0026#39;s club in the 1940s, and later a church for over 20 years, and has been lovingly restored with respect for the buildings historical significance and original architecture.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.elpasogracegardens.com/\"\u003eGrace Gardens\u003c/a\u003e is home to a lovely campus with 6 different venues, depending on the size of your wedding party. It\u0026rsquo;s located in El Paso wine country, providing an opportunity for a wonderful day with your friends touring wineries and scouting out wedding venues as well. El Paso has quite a few options to choose from all with their own appeal, as well as exclusive connections to the local culture and landscape.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eA rental car is suggested for out-of-town guests for getting around the downtown area and visiting wine country in northern El Paso. For exploring downtown El Paso there are rideshare options as well if guests are staying in the city. Located within a short drive from some parts of New Mexico, guests visiting from other states can fly into El Paso International Airport.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEl Paso offers a desert climate and short winters. Summers in El Paso experience the hottest weather, with high temperatures around or above 90 degrees from May until September. During the winter it will approach freezing at night but 50s to 60s during the day. You can expect to see\u0026nbsp;sun over 300 days a year if you visit El Paso.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period to get married in El Paso once you\u0026rsquo;ve applied for the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the application must be made three calendar days before the wedding occurs and the ceremony needs to take place within 90 days of the issuance of the marriage license.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre witnesses required in order to get married in El Paso?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, a legal ceremony consists of at least four people: the officiant, one witness and the couple.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long does an applicant have to wait to get remarried after a divorce?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn El Paso County, there is a required waiting period of 30 days after the divorce is granted before the applicant can get remarried.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo marriage license applicants need to provide a social security card?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, but they do need to be able to provide the social security number.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;El Paso County Courthouse, 500 East San Antonio Suite 105 El Paso, Texas 79901\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $82\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 3 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 90 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Officiant\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}