The Twogether in Texas premarital education program is a voluntary state-approved course that, once completed, waives the $60 Texas marriage license fee and eliminates the 72-hour waiting period between picking up your license and holding the ceremony. It is administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, open to any couple planning to marry in Texas, and runs a minimum of eight hours.
What You Save
Two benefits attach to a completed course. First, Texas Local Government Code Section 118.018 directs the county clerk to issue the marriage license with no fee when an applicant presents a valid completion certificate and proof of Texas residency.1State of Texas. Texas Local Government Code LOC GOVT 118.018 The standard resident fee is $60, so that is what the waiver is worth.2Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Revenue Object 3707 – Marriage License Fees
Second, the standard 72-hour cooling-off period between license issuance and ceremony disappears. You can marry the same day you receive the license.3State of Texas. Texas Family Code FAM 2.204
One boundary on the fee waiver: at least one applicant must be a Texas resident. If neither is, the clerk can add a $100 non-resident charge, and the premarital education waiver does not touch that amount.1State of Texas. Texas Local Government Code LOC GOVT 118.018
What the Course Covers
By statute, the course runs at least eight hours and covers three areas: conflict management, communication skills, and the key components of a successful marriage.4State of Texas. Texas Family Code 2.013 – Premarital Education Courses The curriculum must be skills-based and research-based. Expect interactive exercises and guided discussion; the eight-hour minimum is there so couples have time to practice the techniques, not just hear them described. Many providers add related material such as financial planning and goal-setting, but the three statutory topics are the floor.
Finding a Provider
The statute authorizes a broad range of instructors: marriage educators, clergy or their designees, licensed mental health professionals, and faith-based or community-based organizations.4State of Texas. Texas Family Code 2.013 – Premarital Education Courses Providers register through the Twogether in Texas website, and the Health and Human Services Commission verifies their credentials before activating their accounts.5Twogether in Texas. Frequently Asked Questions
The Twogether in Texas site has a searchable directory. You can filter by city, county, or distance, and narrow by format (online or in-person) and by type, including a “No Cost” filter.6Twogether in Texas. Twogether in Texas – Premarital Education Program Some courses are free; others charge a registration fee that varies by provider.
The Completion Certificate
At the end of the course, your provider issues a signed and dated completion certificate that must list the course name, the provider’s name, and the completion date.4State of Texas. Texas Family Code 2.013 – Premarital Education Courses Check every field before you leave. A misspelled name or wrong date is much easier to fix on the spot than after you have left the classroom.
The certificate is valid for one year from the completion date. Apply for a marriage license more than a year later and you lose both the fee waiver and the waiting-period waiver.3State of Texas. Texas Family Code FAM 2.204 Couples with a long engagement should time the course accordingly.
At the Clerk’s Office
Bring the physical certificate to the county clerk along with government-issued identification for both applicants. The clerk needs the certificate in hand before printing the license so the fee waiver and same-day-marriage exemption are applied correctly. Once the certificate information matches your IDs, the license is issued at no charge to Texas residents.1State of Texas. Texas Local Government Code LOC GOVT 118.018
The waiver applies to the statutory license fee. Counties may charge small administrative fees for credit card payments or online pre-filing that sit outside the license fee and are not affected by the certificate.