Mary Louise Garcia
Tarrant County Clerk Louise Garcia said she had no particular plans to deal with the rush of Fort Worth and other Tarrant County gay and lesbian couples who will apply for marriage licenses after the Supreme Court marriage equality decision is issued other than to comply with the ruling.
We contacted Dallas County Clerk John Warren’s office. Warren has said he wanted to be the first clerk in the state to issue a marriage license. He wasn’t in his office this afternoon, but we’ll let you know how Dallas is preparing for the expected crowds (and financial windfall) when we hear from him. Warren has said in the past he hopes to be the first clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
A marriage license costs $81 in Dallas County and $71 in Tarrant County. Both people must appear in person and provide a valid ID and social security number. Valid IDs include a state ID, drivers license, passport or certified birth certificate with picture ID. Surprisingly, both people must be at least 18 years old and first cousins can’t marry.
Texas has a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place and must take place within 90 days. The license must be returned to the county clerk’s office within 30 days.
The 72-hour waiting period is waived for members of the armed forces, even if you are participating in Operation Jade Helm, taking over Texas for Obama and sending people to FEMA camps in Walmart basements, or if a district judge signs an order waiving the waiting period. In Dallas, several judges have already said they will waive the waiting period for same-sex couples during the period immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. In Tarrant County, the first weddings are expected to take place after the 72-hour waiting period.
Well, Fort Worth, you get what you vote for.
The Tarrant County Clerk’s office is open Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located downtown at 200 Taylor Street, Suite 301.
Other Tarrant County locations to apply for marriage licenses:
Arlington: 700 E Abram St.
Fort Worth/Poly: 3212 Miller Ave.
Fort Worth/Northeast: 6551 Granbury Road
Fort Worth/Northwest: 6713 Telephone Road
Hurst: 645 Grapevine Hwy, Suite 120
Mansfield: 1100 E Broad Street, Ste 200 1400 Main, Suite 140
Southlake: 1400 Main, Suite 140
The Dallas County Clerk’s office is in the County Records Building at 509 Main Street, second floor and licenses are issued 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Other Dallas County locations to apply for marriage licenses (call for times):
East Dallas Government Center: 3443 St. Francis Ave.
North Dallas Government Center: 10056 Marsh Lane, Suite 137
South Dallas Office Government Center: 7201 S. Polk St.
Oak Cliff Sub-Courthouse: 410 S. Beckley Ave.
Richardson Office: 1411 W. Belt Line Road
Irving Office: 841 W. Irving Blvd.
Lancaster Office: 107 Texas Street
Grand Prairie Office: 106 West Church Street, Suite 205 St.
