You’re thinking about getting married in the Lone Star State, maybe for the second, third, or even fourth time. It gets you wondering, is there a limit? How many times can you be married in Texas, really? It’s a question that pops up more than you’d think. People’s lives are complicated, and love doesn’t always follow a straight line. So for 2025, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Texas marriage laws. The answer is simpler than you expect, but the rules around it… well, that’s where it gets interesting.
The Straight-Up Answer: Is There a Limit on Marriage in Texas?
Let’s just get this out of the way. In Texas, there is no law that puts a number on how many times a person can get married. That’s right. You can marry as many times as you want.
The state doesn’t keep a scoreboard. Whether it’s your second marriage or your eighth, the law looks at each one fresh.
The main thing to remember, it is that you have to be completely and totally single before you can get married again. This seems obvious but it’s the core of the whole thing.
Each previous marriage must be legally over. Either through a finalized divorce or because your previous spouse has passed away. You can’t just be separated.
The Big “But”: Rules You Gotta Follow for Remarriage
So, no limit. Great. But hold your horses. Getting remarried in Texas isn’t a free-for-all. There are some specific hoops you have to jump through, and they are not to be ignored. These rules are there for a reason, normally to prevent legal messes.
The legal system wants to make sure your last chapter is truly closed before you start a new one. It’s about making sure everything is official and above board.
The Waiting Game: The 30-Day Divorce Cooldown
This is a big one that catches a lot of people by surprise. Texas has a mandatory 30-day waiting period after your divorce is finalized.
You cannot get a new marriage license until that 31st day. So if your divorce decree is signed by a judge on May 1st, you have to wait until June 1st to marry someone else.
It’s a rule that is considered to be a sort of ‘cooling off’ period, generally. It gives people a moment to breathe before making another major life choice.
Now, there is a small exception. A judge can waive this waiting period for what the law calls “good cause.” This means you’d have to have a really good reason, and it’s not something they just hand out.
Proving It’s Over: Getting Your Ducks in a Row
When you go to get your new marriage license, you can’t just say you’re divorced. You need to be ready to show it. The county clerk will want to see proof that you are legally able to marry.
This means having your paperwork in order. This isn’t the time for ‘I think it’s somewhere in a box.’
What you’ll typically need to be ready for:
A Final Divorce Decree: You need the full, signed document. Not just a printout from a website. It has to be the official paper.
A Death Certificate: If your previous marriage ended because of the death of your spouse, you will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate.
Your Application Information: You may be asked the date your last marriage ended when filling out the new license application. Be honest and accurate.
Trying to get married while you are still legally married to someone else is a crime called bigamy. And that is a serious problem you don’t want to have.
What About Common-Law Marriage? Texas Throws a Curveball
Texas is one of the few states that recognizes informal marriage, or what most people call common-law marriage. This can make things a little more confusing.
A common-law marriage is just as real in the eyes of the law as a ceremonial one. You don’t just get to walk away from it.
To be considered common-law married in Texas, you generally have to do three things:
1. Agree with the person that you are married.
2. Live together in Texas as a married couple.
3. Represent to others (tell people) that you are married.
If you were in a common-law marriage, you have to get a common-law divorce. You can’t just start a new marriage because you don’t have a piece of paper from the first one. It needs to be legally ended through the court system, just like any other marriage.
Age, Relatives, and Other No-Go Zones for Tying the Knot
Beyond the remarriage rules, the basic Texas marriage laws still apply to everyone, every time. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first marriage or fifth.
You both must be at least 18 years old. A person who is 16 or 17 can get married but they need a special court order to do so.
Also, you cannot marry a close relative. This includes a parent, grandparent, sibling, child, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.
And don’t forget the 72-hour waiting period after you get your license. After you get your marriage license from the county clerk, you have to wait 72 hours before you can actually have the ceremony. It’s another one of those little ‘are you sure?’ pauses built into Texas law.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Times You Can Be Married in Texas
So, really, how many times can you be married in Texas?
There is no legal limit. As long as every single one of your previous marriages has been legally ended by divorce or death, and you follow the waiting periods, you can get married as many times as you like.
What happens if I try to get married in Texas before my divorce is final?
This is a big mistake. Doing this is illegal and is called bigamy. Your new marriage would be void (not legal), and you could face legal charges. You must wait for the judge to sign the final decree.
Does the 30-day waiting period apply if I remarry my ex-spouse in Texas?
No. If you are remarrying the same person you just divorced, the 30-day waiting period does not apply. You can get married again as soon as the divorce is final.
How does a common-law marriage affect how many times I can be married in Texas?
A common-law marriage counts as a real, legal marriage. It must be legally dissolved with a divorce before you can marry someone else. It affects the number of times you can be married in the exact same way a ceremonial marriage does.
I got divorced in another state, how many times can I be married in Texas?
It doesn’t matter where you got divorced. Texas respects the legal proceedings of other states. As long as your divorce is final and official in that state, you just need to follow Texas’s rules for getting a new marriage license, including the 30-day wait.
Key Takeaways
Look, life happens. If you’re looking at marriage again in Texas, just keep a few things in mind.
No Limit: The state of Texas does not cap the number of times you can get married.
Must Be Single: This is the most important rule. Your previous marriage must be 100% over.
The 30-Day Wait: Remember the 30-day waiting period after a divorce decree is signed before you can remarry.
Paperwork is Key: Have your final divorce decree or a death certificate ready when you apply for a new license.
Common-Law Counts: An informal, or common-law, marriage is a real marriage and must be formally divorced.
Navigating marriage laws can feel a bit much sometimes. If your situation feels complicated, especially with things like property or kids from a previous relationship, talking to a family law attorney is always a smart move. They can help make sure you’re doing everything right.
