- ULC Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: No
- State Residency: Irrelevant
- Minimum Age to Officiate: 18
- Marriage License Waiting Period: 3 Days
- Marriage License Validity Period: 90 Days
- Marriage License Return Period: 30 Days
- Documents Recommended: Classic Wedding Kit
How to Become an Ordained Minister in Texas
If you haven't yet become ordained with the Universal Life Church, that is the first step. Anyone willing can become a legal minister of the ULC, one of the world's largest religious organizations. Online ordination is fast, easy, and completely free. Once you have your minister license, you'll be eligible to officiate a wedding. To become a minister, start by clicking the button below!
How to Officiate a Wedding in Texas
Contact the office of the county clerk in the county where the wedding will take place. Introduce yourself as minister, and ask them what documents they will need from you. They may ask to see a number of things, and be aware that these requirements vary from county to county. Any materials or documents you might need are available in the Church Supplies section of our website. It is very important to place your order with plenty of time to receive it and present it to the clerk before the wedding.
Select your county to view contact information for each office:
Anderson County
500 N Church Rm 10
Palestine, TX
(903) 723-7402
(903) 723-4625
Anderson County website »
Aransas County
301 North Live Oak St, Room 101
Rockport, TX 78382
(361) 790-0122
(361) 790-0119
Aransas County website »
Archer County
112 E. Walnut
Archer City, TX 76351
(940) 574-4302
(940) 574-2876
Archer County website »
Atascosa County
1 Courthouse Circle Dr, Ste 102
Jourdanton, TX
(830) 767-2511
(830) 769-1021
Atascosa County website »
Bailey County
300 South First Street, Suite 200
Muleshoe, TX 79347
(806) 272-3044
(806) 272-3538
Bailey County website »
Bandera County
500 Main Street P.O. Box 823
Bandera, TX
(830) 796-3332
(830) 796-8323
Bandera County website »
Bastrop County
803 Pine, Room 112
Bastrop, TX
(512) 332-7234
(512) 332-7241
Bastrop County website »
Baylor County
101 S. Washington Street
Seymour, TX
(940) 889-3322
(940) 889-4300
Baylor County website »
Blanco County
101 E. Cypress
Johnson City, TX 78636
(830) 868-7357
(830) 868-4158
Blanco County website »
Borden County
117 E. Wasson Street
Gail, TX 79738
(806) 756-4312
(806) 756-4324
Borden County website »
Bowie County
710 James Bowie Drive
New Boston, TX
(903) 628-6740
(903) 628-6729
Bowie County website »
Brazoria County
1524 E. Mulberry, Room152
Angleton, TX 77515
(979) 864-1355
Brazoria County website »
Brazos County
300 E. 26th Street, Room 120
Bryan, TX 77803
(979) 361-4128
(979) 361-4125
Brazos County website »
Brewster County
201 W Avenue E
Alpine, TX 79830
(915) 837-3366
(432) 837-6217
Brewster County website »
Brooks County
100 East Miller Street
Falfurnas, TX
(361) 325-5604
(512) 895-9680
Brooks County website »
Burleson County
100 West Buck Street Suite 203
Caldwell, TX 77836
(979) 567-2329
(979) 567-2376
Burleson County website »
Burnet County
220 South Poerce Street
Burnet, TX
(512) 756-5406
(512) 756-5410
Burnet County website »
Caldwell County
1703 S. Colorado St, Ste. 1200
Lockhart, TX 78644
(361) 398-1804
Caldwell County website »
Calhoun County
211 South Ann Street
Port La Vaca, TX 77979
(361) 553-4411
(361) 553-4420
Calhoun County website »
Callahan County
100 West 4th Street Room 104
Baird, TX
(325) 854-5815
(325) 854-5816
Callahan County website »
Cameron County
835 East Levee Street, 3rd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 544-0867
Cameron County website »
Camp County
126 Church Street Room 102
Pittsburgh, TX
(903) 856-2731
(903) 856-6112
Camp County website »
Carson County
501 Main Street
Panhandle, TX 79068
(806) 537-3873
(806) 537-3623
Carson County website »
Cass County
100 West Houston Street
Linden, TX 75563
(903) 756-5071
(903) 756-8057
Cass County website »
Castro County
100 East Bedford Street, Room 101
Dimmitt, TX
(806) 647-3338
(806) 647-5438
Castro County website »
Chambers County
404 Washington Street
Anahuac, TX 77514
(409) 267-2418
(409) 267-8405
Chambers County website »
Cherokee County
270 North Main Street
Rusk, TX
(903) 683-2350
(903) 683-2457
Cherokee County website »
Childress County
100 Avenue E NW
Childress, TX
(940) 937-6143
(940) 937-3708
Childress County website »
Clay County
214 N. Main Street
Henrietta, TX 76365
(940) 538-4631
(940) 264-4160
Clay County website »
Cochran County
100 North Main Street Room 102
Morton, TX
(806) 266-5450
(806) 266-9027
Cochran County website »
Coleman County
100 W. Live Oak Street, Suite 105
Coleman, TX 76834
(325) 625-2889
(325) 625-2889
Coleman County website »
Collin County
2300 Bloomdale Rd., Suite 2106
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 548-4185
(972) 547-5731
Collin County website »
Collingsworth County
800 W. Avenue, Box 10
Wellington, TX
(806) 447-2408
(806) 447-2409
Collingsworth County website »
Colorado County
318 Spring Street, Room 103
Columbus, TX
(409) 732-2155
(979) 732-8852
Colorado County website »
Comal County
150 N. Seguin, Suite 101
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-1230
(830) 620-3410
Comal County website »
Comanche County
101 West Central
Comanche, TX
(325) 356-2655
(325) 356-3710
Comanche County website »
Coryell County
1st Floor Courthouse
620 East Main Street
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-5911 ext 2278
(254) 865-8631
Coryell County website »
Cottle County
9th St & Richards St
Paducah, TX 79248
(806) 492-3823
(806) 492-2625
Cottle County website »
Crane County
Crane County Courthouse
201 W 6th Street
Crane, TX 79731
(915) 558-3581
(432) 558-1148
Crane County website »
Crosby County
201 West Aspen Suite 102
Crosbyton, TX
(806) 675-2334
(806) 675-2980
Crosby County website »
Culberson County
300 La Caverna St
Van Horn, TX
(432) 283-2058
(432) 283-2091
Culberson County website »
Dallas County
1201 Elm Street, 21st and 22nd Floor
Dallas, TX 75270
(214) 653-7099
(214) 653-7176
Dallas County website »
Dawson County
400 South 1st Street
La Mesa, TX 79331
(806) 872-3778
(806) 872-2473
Dawson County website »
Deaf Smith County
235 East 3rd, Room 203
Hereford, TX 79045
(806) 363-7077
(806) 363-7023
Deaf Smith County website »
Denton County
1450 East McKinney Street
Denton, TX 76209
(940) 349-2012
(940) 349-2013
Denton County website »
DeWitt County
307 North Gonzales Street
Cuero, TX 77954
(361) 275-0864
(361) 275-0866
DeWitt County website »
Dickens County
512 Montgomery Street
Dickens, TX
(806) 623-5531
(806) 623-5240
Dickens County website »
Eastland County
100 East Main Street
Eastland, TX 76448
(254) 629-1583
(254) 629-8125
Eastland County website »
Ector County
300 N. Grant Street, Room 111
Odessa, TX 79760
(432) 498-4130
(432) 498-4177
Ector County website »
Edwards County
400 Main Street
Rocksprings, TX
(830) 683-2235
(830) 683-5376
Edwards County website »
El Paso County
500 East San Antonio Suite 105
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 546-2071
(915) 546-2012
El Paso County website »
Ellis County
109 South Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX
(972) 825-5070
(972) 825-5075
Ellis County website »
Erath County
100 West Washington Street
Stephenville, TX 76401
(254) 965-1482
(254) 965-5732
Erath County website »
Fannin County
101 East Sam Rayburn Drive Room 102
Bonham, TX
(903) 583-7486
(903) 640-4241
Fannin County website »
Fayette County
246 W. Colorado Street
La Grange, TX 78945
(979) 968-3251
(979) 968-8531
Fayette County website »
Fisher County
109 North Angelo Street
Roby, TX
(325) 776-2401
(325) 776-3274
Fisher County website »
Floyd County
105 South Main Room 101
Floydada, TX
(806) 983-4900
(806) 983-4909
Floyd County website »
Frio County
500 East San Antonio Street, Room 6
Pearsall, TX 78061
(830) 334-2214
(830) 334-0021
Frio County website »
Gaines County
101 South Main Room 206
Seminole, TX
(432) 758-4003
(432) 758-1442
Gaines County website »
Garza County
Courthouse 1st Floor, 300 West Main Street
Post, TX 79356
(806) 495-4430
(806) 495-4431
Garza County website »
Gillespie County
101 West Main Street
Fredericksburg, TX
(830) 997-6515
(830) 997-9958
Gillespie County website »
Glasscock County
600 North Main
Garden City, TX
(432) 354-2371
(432) 354-2616
Glasscock County website »
Gonzales County
1709 Sarah DeWitt Drive
Gonzales, TX
(830) 672-2801
(830) 672-2636
Gonzales County website »
Gregg County
Gregg County Courthouse
101 E. Methvin, Suite 200
Longview, TX 75601
(903) 236-8430
Gregg County website »
Grimes County
101 S. Main Street
Anderson, TX 77830
(936) 873-4410
(936) 873-3308
Grimes County website »
Guadalupe County
211 W. Court Street
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 303-8863
(830) 401-0300
Guadalupe County website »
Hale County
500 Broadway Room 140
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 291-5261
(806) 291-9810
Hale County website »
Hamilton County
102 N. Rice, Suite 107
Hamilton, TX 76531
(254) 386-1202
(254) 386-8727
Hamilton County website »
Hansford County
15 Northwest Court
Spearman, TX
(806) 659-4110
(806) 659-4168
Hansford County website »
Harris County
201 Caroline, 3rd floor ( Main + 9 branches )
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 274-8600
Harris County website »
Harrison County
200 W. Houston, Suite 143
Marshall, TX 75671
(903) 935-8403
Harrison County website »
Hays County
712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 393-7738
(512) 393-7735
Hays County website »
Hemphill County
400 Main Street, Suite 203
Canadian, TX 79014
(806) 323-6212
(806) 323-8125
Hemphill County website »
Henderson County
125 N. Prairieville St., Room 101
Athens, TX
(903) 675-6140
(903) 675-6105
Henderson County website »
Hidalgo County
100 N. Closner - 1st Floor
Edinburg, TX
(956) 318-2100
(956) 318-2105
Hidalgo County website »
Hill County
80 North Waco Street, 1st Floor
Hillsboro, TX 76645
(254) 582-4030
(254) 582-4003
Hill County website »
Hockley County
802 Houston Street, Suite 213
Levelland, TX 79336
(806) 894-3185
Hockley County website »
Hopkins County
128 Jefferson St., Suite C
Sulphur Springs, TX
(903) 438-4074
Hopkins County website »
Houston County
401 East Houston Avenue, 1st floor
Crockett, TX
(936) 544-3255
Houston County website »
Hutchinson County
500 Main Street, Suite 211
Stinnett, TX 79083
(806) 878-4002
(806) 878-3497
Hutchinson County website »
Jackson County
115 W. Main, Room 101
Edna, TX 77957
(361) 782-3563
(361) 782-3132
Jackson County website »
Jasper County
121 N Austin St
Jasper, TX 75951
(409) 384-2632
(409) 384-7198
Jasper County website »
Jeff Davis County
111 North Front Street
Fort Davis, TX 79734
(432) 426-3251
(432) 426-3760
Jeff Davis County website »
Karnes County
210 W. Calvert, Ste 100
Karnes City, TX
(830) 780-3938
(830) 780-4576
Karnes County website »
Kaufman County
100 W. Mulberry St.
Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-4331 ext 1106
Kaufman County website »
Kendall County
201 E. San Antonio Street, #127
Boerne, TX
(830) 249-9343
(830) 249-3472
Kendall County website »
Kerr County
700 Main Street, Suite 122
Kerrville, TX
(830) 792-2255
(830) 792-2274
Kerr County website »
Kleberg County
700 E Kleberg Ave, Room 2
Kingsville, TX 78364
(361) 595-8548
(361) 593-1355
Kleberg County website »
La Salle County
101 Courthouse Square, Suite 107
Cotulla, TX 78014
(830) 483-5120
La Salle County website »
Lamb County
100 6th Drive, Room 103
Littlefield, TX 79339
(806) 385-4222
(806) 385-6485
Lamb County website »
Lampasas County
409 S Pecan St, Suite 201
Lampasas, TX
(512) 556-8271
(512) 556-8966
Lampasas County website »
Lavaca County
412 N. Texana,
Hallettsville, TX 77964
(361) 798-3612
(361) 798-1610
Lavaca County website »
Leon County
155 N. Cass Street, First Floor
Centerville, TX 75833
(903) 536-2352
(903) 536-7581
Leon County website »
Liberty County
1923 Sam Houston St. Room 209
Liberty, TX 77575
(936) 336-4670
(936) 334-3236
Liberty County website »
Limestone County
200 W State St, Ste 102
Groesbeck, TX 76642
(254) 729-5504
(254) 729-2951
Limestone County website »
Lipscomb County
101 S. Main
Lipscomb, TX 79056
(806) 862-3091
(806) 862-3004
Lipscomb County website »
Live Oak County
301 Houston St., Room 105
George West, TX 78022
(361) 449-2733
(361) 449-1616
Live Oak County website »
Llano County
107 West Sandstone
Llano, TX 78643
(325) 247-4455
(325) 247-2406
Llano County website »
Madison County
103 W. Trinity Street, Rm. 104
Madisonville, TX 77864
(936) 241-6210
(936) 241-6211
Madison County website »
Martin County
301 N Saint Peter St
Stanton, TX
(432) 756-3412
(432) 607-2212
Martin County website »
Matagorda County
1700 7th Street, Room 202
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 244-7680
(979) 244-7688
Matagorda County website »
Maverick County
500 Quarry Street, Suite 2
Eagle Pass, TX 78852
(830) 773-2829
(830) 752-4479
Maverick County website »
McCulloch County
101 N. High
Brady, TX 76825
(325) 597-2400 Ext. 2
(325) 597-1731
McCulloch County website »
McLennan County
215 N 5th Street Suite 223
Waco, TX
(254) 757-5078
(254) 757-5146
McLennan County website »
Medina County
1100 16th Street, Room 109
Hondo, TX 78861
(830) 741-6040
(830) 741-6015
Medina County website »
Menard County
206 E. San Saba
Menard, TX 76859
(325) 396-4682
(325) 396-2047
Menard County website »
Midland County
500 N. Loraine, 4th floor
Midland, TX 79701
(432) 688-4402
(432) 688-4926
Midland County website »
Mitchell County
349 Oak Street Room 103
Colorado City, TX
(325) 728-3481
(325) 758-5322
Mitchell County website »
Montague County
11339 State Hwy 59 N
Montague, TX 76251
(940) 894-2461
(940) 894-6601
Montague County website »
Montgomery County
210 West Davis
Conroe, TX 77301
(936) 539-7885
(936) 760-6927
Montgomery County website »
Moore County
715 S. Dumas Ave. Room 107
Dumas, TX
(806) 935-2009
(806) 935-9004
Moore County website »
Morris County
500 Broadnax Street, Suite D
Daingerfield, TX 75638
(903) 645-3911
(903) 645-4026
Morris County website »
Nacogdoches County
101 W Main St, Ste 110
Nacogdoches, TX
(936) 560-7733
(936) 559-5926
Nacogdoches County website »
Newton County
115 Court Street
Newton, TX 75966
(409) 379-5341
(409) 379-9049
Newton County website »
Nolan County
100 East Third, Suite 108
Sweetwater, TX 79556
(325) 235-2462
(325) 235-4635
Nolan County website »
Nueces County
901 Leopard St. Room 201
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 888-0580
Nueces County website »
Ochiltree County
511 S. Main Street, Suite 8
Perryton, TX 79070
(806) 435-8039
(806) 435-2081
Ochiltree County website »
Palo Pinto County
520 Oak Street
Palo Pinto, TX 76484
(940) 659-1277
(844) 769-4976
Palo Pinto County website »
Panola County
110 S. Sycamore, Room 201
Carthage, TX 75633
(903) 693-0302
(903) 693-0328
Panola County website »
Pecos County
200 S. Nelson
Fort Stockton, TX 79735
(432) 336-7555
(432) 336-7557
Pecos County website »
Polk County
101 W. Church St, Room 100
Livingston, TX
(936) 327-6805
(936) 327-6855
Polk County website »
Potter County
500 South Fillmore, Suite 201
Amarillo, TX
(806) 379-2290
(806) 379-2296
Potter County website »
Rains County
220 W. Quitman Street Suite B
Emory, TX 75440
(903) 473-5000
(903) 473-5086
Rains County website »
Randall County
2309 Russell Long Boulevard, Suite 101
Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 468-5505
Randall County website »
Reagan County
300 North Plaza Avenue
Big Lake, TX
(325) 884-2442
(325) 884-1503
Reagan County website »
Red River County
200 N. Walnut Street
Clarksville, TX
(903) 427-2401
(903) 427-3589
Red River County website »
Refugio County
808 Commerce St Suite 112
Refugio, TX
(361) 526-2233
(361) 526-1325
Refugio County website »
Robertson County
102 W Decherd St
Franklin, TX
(979) 828-4130
(979) 828-1260
Robertson County website »
Rockwall County
1111 E Yellowjacket Lane, Suite 100
Rockwall, TX 75087
(972) 204-6300
(972) 204-6309
Rockwall County website »
Runnels County
613 Hutchings Avenue, Room 106
Ballinger, TX 76821
(325) 365-2720
(325) 365-3408
Runnels County website »
Rusk County
115 North Main, Suite 206
Henderson, TX
(903) 657-0330
(903) 657-2387
Rusk County website »
Sabine County
280 Main Street
Hemphill, TX 75948
(409) 787-3786
(409) 787-3795
Sabine County website »
San Augustine County
223 N Harrison
San Augustine, TX
(936) 275-2452
(936) 275-2263
San Augustine County website »
San Jacinto County
1 State Hwy 150, Room 2
Coldspring, TX 77331
(936) 653-2324
San Jacinto County website »
San Patricio County
400 West Sinton Street, Room 124
Sinton, TX 78387
(361) 364-9350
San Patricio County website »
San Saba County
500 E. Wallace, Suite 202
San Saba, TX
(325) 372-3614
(325) 372-6484
San Saba County website »
Scurry County
1806 25th Street, Suite 300
Snyder, TX
(325) 573-5332
(325) 573-7396
Scurry County website »
Shackelford County
225 South Main Street, First Floor
Albany, TX 76430
(325) 762-9415
(325) 762-9416
Shackelford County website »
Shelby County
124 Austin St. PO Box 1987
Center, TX
(936) 598-6361
(936) 598-3701
Shelby County website »
Sherman County
701 N. 3rd Street
Stratford, TX
(806) 366-2371
(806) 366-5670
Sherman County website »
Smith County
200 E. Ferguson Suite 300
Tyler, TX 75702
(903) 590-4670
(903) 590-4689
Smith County website »
Somervell County
107 N.E. Vernon
Glen Rose, TX 76043
(254) 897-4427
(254) 897-3233
Somervell County website »
Starr County
401 N. Britton Avenue, Room 201
Rio Grande City, TX
(956) 716-4800
(956) 487-8674
Starr County website »
Stephens County
200 West Walker
Breckenridge, TX 76424
(254) 559-3700
(254) 559-5892
Stephens County website »
Sterling County
609 4th Ave
Sterling City, TX
(325) 378-5191
(325) 378-3111
Sterling County website »
Stonewall County
128 Townsquare Ln
Aspermont, TX
(940) 989-2272
(940) 989-2032
Stonewall County website »
Sutton County
Sutton County Annex
300 E. Oak, Suite 3
Sonora, TX 76950
(325) 387-3815
(325) 387-6028
Sutton County website »
Tarrant County
100 W. Weatherford St
Fort Worth, TX
(817) 884-1195
(817) 884-3295
Tarrant County website »
Terrell County
105 East Hackberry
Sanderson, TX
(432) 345-2291
(432) 345-2740
Terrell County website »
Terry County
500 W Main Room 105
Brownfield, TX 79316
(806) 637-4874
(806) 637-8551
Terry County website »
Throckmorton County
105 North Minter
Throckmorton, TX 76483
(940) 849-2501
(940) 849-3032
Throckmorton County website »
Titus County
100 W 1st St, Room 204
Mt Pleasant, TX
(903) 577-6796
(903) 572-5078
Titus County website »
Tom Green County
124 W. Beauregard
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 659-6556
(325) 659-3251
Tom Green County website »
Trinity County
162 West 1st St
Groveton, TX 75845
(936) 642-1208
(936) 642-3004
Trinity County website »
Upshur County
100 W Tyler St, 2nd Floor
Gilmer, TX 75644
(903) 843-4015
(903) 843-4504
Upshur County website »
Val Verde County
400 Pecan Street
Del Rio, TX
(830) 774-7564
(830) 774-7608
Val Verde County website »
Van Zandt County
121 E. Dallas St., Room 202
Canton, TX
(903) 567-7555
(903) 567-6722
Van Zandt County website »
Victoria County
115 N. Bridge St. Rm. 103
Victoria, TX 77901
(361) 575-1478
(361) 575-6276
Victoria County website »
Walker County
1100 University Ave, Suite 201
Huntsville, TX 77340
(936) 436-4922
Walker County website »
Washington County
100 E. Main, Suite 102
Brenham, TX
(979) 277-6200
(979) 277-6278
Washington County website »
Webb County
1110 Victoria St. Suite 201
Laredo, TX
(956) 523-4266
(956) 523-5035
Webb County website »
Wharton County
309 E. Milam St., Suite 700
Wharton, TX 77488
(979) 532-2381
(979) 532-8426
Wharton County website »
Wheeler County
401 Main Street or PO Box 465
Wheeler, TX
(806) 826-5544
(806) 826-3282
Wheeler County website »
Wichita County
900 7th Street
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
(940) 766-8100 Option 1
Wichita County website »
Wilbarger County
1700 Wilbarger Street, Room 15
Vernon, TX 76384
(940) 552-5486
(940) 553-2320
Wilbarger County website »
Willacy County
576 W. Main Ave.
Raymondville, TX
(956) 689-2710
(956) 689-9849
Willacy County website »
Williamson County
405 Martin Luther King St
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-1515
(512) 943-1616
Williamson County website »
Wilson County
1420 3rd St, Ste. 105
Floresville, TX
(830) 393-7308
(830) 393-7334
Wilson County website »
Winkler County
100 East Winkler, 1st Floor or PO Box 1007
Kermit, TX
(432) 586-3401
Winkler County website »
Young County
516 Fourth Street Room 104
Graham, TX
(940) 549-8432
(940) 521-0305
Young County website »
Zapata County
200 E. 7th Avenue, Ste. 138
Zapata, TX
(956) 765-9915
(956) 765-9933
Zapata County website »
Zavala County
200 E. Uvalde St
Crystal City, TX
(830) 374-2331
(830) 374-5955
Zavala County website »

What Do You Need to Perform a Wedding in Texas
Once you've determined what you need to meet Texas wedding officiant requirements, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. Many of our ministers in Texas choose to get the Classic Wedding Kit, especially if it's their first wedding. Although ministers are generally not required to register in the state of Texas, it's possible the county clerk will ask you to present proof of your ordination. It is also very common for the couple to ask to see your credentials. Please try to place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.
How to Get a Texas Marriage License
Licenses are issued by the County Clerk's office, and will be picked up by the couple. As a minister, it's your responsibility to understand how marriage licenses work in Texas and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get a Dallas marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Dallas County.
In the state of Texas, the license is valid for 90 days. There is a mandatory 3-day waiting period between the time it is picked up, and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Finally, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony.
How to Perform a Wedding
Congratulations, you're ready to officiate the wedding! If you need any assistance in this important task, we encourage you to utilize the tools below. Together these exclusive resources include everything you'll need to craft the perfect wedding ceremony for any couple. Created with our ministers in mind, they offer tips and helpful information for all aspects of performing a ceremony. Fun fact: many ULC ministers have become professional officiants using these tools as a guide!
Finalizing the Marriage
After you perform the ceremony, you will sign the marriage license along with the couple. Your title is 'minister', the ceremony type is 'religious', and the denomination is 'non-denominational'. You will not be required to provide a license number, and witnesses are not required. You may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, like a marriage certificate to mark their special day. Last thing: make sure the signed license gets resubmitted to the marriage office before the deadline!
Texas Marriage Laws
Marriage laws in Texas are primarily directed by Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the Family Code of Texas. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Texas, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
Sec. 2.202. PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT CEREMONY. (a) The following persons are authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony:
(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;
(4) 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, retired judge of a municipal court, or judge or magistrate of a federal court of this state; and
(5) a retired judge or magistrate of a federal court of this state.
(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(4), a retired judge or justice is a former judge or justice who is vested in the Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan One or the Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan Two or who has an aggregate of at least 12 years of service as judge or justice of any type listed in Subsection (a)(4).
(b-1) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(5), a retired judge or magistrate is a former judge or magistrate of a federal court of this state who is fully vested in the Federal Employees Retirement System under 28 U.S.C. Section 371 or 377.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a person commits an offense if the person knowingly conducts a marriage ceremony without authorization under this section. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly conducts a marriage ceremony of a minor whose marriage is prohibited by law or of a person who by marrying commits an offense under Section 25.01, Penal Code. An offense under this subsection is a felony of the third degree.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 4.10, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 134 (S.B. 935), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1350 (S.B. 1317), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.