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Houston, Texas Wedding Guide

Become a Wedding Officiant in Houston 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 Houston, Texas

Houston embodies New American Glamour, Traditional Southern Culture, and Modern Texan Values like no other city in the state. Weddings held in this southern metropolis reflect that diversity, with ceremonies, venues, and officiants on hand to meet even the most unique vision.

That includes thousands of ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries. Our ministers enjoy the legal right to perform weddings and sign marriage certificates. We’re excited that you are considering Getting Ordained with American Marriage Ministries.

Per the Texas Family Code §2.202, “a person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony,” may officiate a wedding and sign the marriage license.

As an Ordained Minister of American Marriage Ministries you have the legal authority to officiate weddings in Houston. Keep on reading for everything you need to know to perform marriages and sign marriage licenses in Houston, Texas.




Texas Wedding Tips and Tricks

Become a Wedding Officiant

For The
Wedding Officiant

Step 1: Get Ordained to Perform weddings in Texas

 

Your first step is getting ordained. According to Texas marriage law, the following people may officiate weddings, (1) a licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest; (2) a Jewish rabbi; (3) a person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony; and (4) Judges... 

If you aren't a Judge, you can still claim the same legal rights simply by getting ordained here! Once you are ordained, you are able to perform weddings in Texas however we recommend getting official copies of your ordination papers, just in case government officials, the couple, or other wedding professionals ask to see them. 

 

Step 2: Prepare for the upcoming Houston Wedding

 

Now, let's get prepared for the wedding ceremony. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel a bit intimidating too. If this feels like you, check out our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 

 

Aside from reading up on what to do, and how to do it, we recommend getting an early start. Officiating a wedding is a public performance, and that means you want to look and sound prepared when you get up there. 

 

Step 3: Perform the Wedding and Sign the Marriage License

 

72 hours after the marriage license is issued the couple may be married through a ceremony of their choosing. That means checking in advance that the marriage license was obtained within the proper window of time. After the wedding ceremony, you as the officiant must complete and sign their portion of the marriage license. If you have questions about this process, check out our page on Wedding Officiant Guidelines for Completing Marriage Licenses.



Texas Wedding

How To Get Married in Houston

For The
Couple

The Couple Files For Their Marriage License From The Harris County Clerk

 

The couple must apply in person for a Marriage License at one of the Harris County Clerk’s 10 Locations. Valid I.D. is required and the fee for the marriage license is $72.00.
 

What If I Can't File For My Marriage License in Person?

There are plenty of legitimate reasons why one partner is not able to appear in person to file for the marriage license. A common scenario is couples where one partner is deployed in the armed forces. In such cases that individual must complete an Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License form.


The Harris County Clerk's office provides Instructions for Completing an Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License to assist you with completing the Affidavit of Absent Applicant on Application for Marriage License form. Be aware that this method of applying for the marriage license should only be used in extenuating circumstances.

 

IMPORTANT: The Couple Returns The Marriage License

 

After the wedding ceremony, the completed marriage license should be returned to the Harris County Clerk’s office for recording. The couple can return the license in person or by mail.

Upon being returned to the Harris County Clerk’s office, a copy of the marriage license can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to be sent to the couple. If you do not receive the license after that time period, please call the Harris County Clerk's Personal Records Department at 713-274-8686.

Harris County Marriage License Info

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

Fee: $72

Waiting Period: 3 Days Before Completing

Expiration: 90 Days

Return: Within 10 Days from the Wedding

Houston Wedding Tips and Tricks

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

For The Couple
& Officiant

We're working on updating this part of the page, and would love to hear your advice for couples that are planning weddings. Got tips? Shoot us an email at [email protected]. For wedding tips, please check out our Texas minister training pages.




Houston Officiant FAQ

Houston Officiant & Couples FAQ

For The Couple
& Officiant


What proof do I need to show as an ordained minister?

Ministers are not required to register with any government office in Texas before officiating weddings. Wedding officiants ordained by AMM are considered to be an “officer of a religious organization.”

 

That being said, we recommend you to order your Texas Minister Ordination Package to keep official hardcopies of your Ministry Mredentials. Your package includes your Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing. Your Letter of Good Standing is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.

 

Proof of your ordination is essential in the event that the couple or government officials request to see your ministry credentials.
 

Who is authorized to conduct the wedding ceremony and sign the marriage license?

Per the Texas Family Code §2.202, the following persons are authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony:

 

  • a licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest
  • a Jewish rabbi
  • a person who is an officer of a religious organization and who is authorized by the organization to conduct a marriage ceremony
  • a justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of criminal appeals, justice of the courts of appeals, judge of the district, county, and probate courts, judge of the county courts at law, judge of the courts of domestic relations, judge of the juvenile courts, retired justice or judge of those courts, justice of the peace, retired justice of the peace, judge of a municipal court, or judge or magistrate of a federal court of this state.

OFFICIANT CEREMONY
PREPARATION IN

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

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Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

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

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

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

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Checkout the AMM Blog

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

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

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