If you are looking for a place in the US to get married, then the best state to do so is in Texas. Texas is one of the few states that offer marriage license to non-residents. The state is also one of the few that allows common marriage and proxy marriage though it does not allow same gender marriages as well as relatives/cousin marriage. The Texas state provides access to Texas marriage records and one can request for a verification letter of marriage by contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistic of the state.

For couples who are interested in getting married in Texas, the first thing to do is to secure a marriage license. One can get it by visiting the county clerk of the place one intends to get married in. Present a government issued identification card such as a passport or a drivers license to verify your identity. Proxy marriage is available in Texas and can be done by any adult in behalf of the person absent. The proxy will have to submit an affidavit, which they can download from the official website. The proxy should also submit a valid id of the person getting married and in case that the person is under age, they should also present a parental consent. Once the county clerk releases the marriage license, the couple needs to wait a minimum of 72-hours before they can go through the marriage ceremony. The waiting period is waived if the person being wed is in active duty or they are residents and have completed the pre-marriage workshop that the state provides for free.

The license costs about $60 though charges differ from one county to another so it is important to check the cost by calling the county clerk office. Couples get a discount or waiver of the fee if they attend and complete the seminar that the State offers. The seminar lasts about 8 hours and one can take it anytime as long as the couple finish it within a year. The waiting period is also waived upon the completion of the seminar.

For 17- to 18-year-olds who want to get married, they may do so if they (1) obtain a parental consent from their parents. They have to download a form and have their parents sign it. (2)If one of the couple is divorced, he/she should present a certified copy of the divorce and (3) the couple has obtained a court order from the place of residency of their parents.

Common marriages or informal marriages are recognized by the State. The State of Texas declares the marriage to be an informal or common marriage if the couple has (a) signed a declaration under oath of their marriage (b) when they have lived as husband and wife and (c) represent themselves to other people as such.

Once the Free Marriage Records is released, couples only have thirty days to use the license before it expires. To obtain a copy of marriage certificate one can get this from the county clerk where the marriage license was issued or visit one of the online companies that provide such services.