TITLE: Relating to the return of a completed marriage license to a county clerk after the marriage ceremony.

SUMMARY: Relating to the return of a completed marriage license to a county clerk after the marriage ceremony.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the return of a completed marriage license to a county clerk after the marriage ceremony. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 2.206, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as follows: (a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a person who conducts a marriage ceremony may authorize the parties to the marriage to return the recorded and subscribed license to the county clerk who issued the license not later than the date prescribed by that subsection. (b) A person who fails to comply with Subsection (a) [this section] commits an offense. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500. This subsection does not apply to: (1) a person who conducts a marriage ceremony and, as provided by Subsection (a-1), authorizes the parties to the marriage to return the marriage license to the county clerk; or (2) a party to the marriage who is authorized under Subsection (a-1) to return the marriage license to the county clerk. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a marriage ceremony conducted on or after the effective date of this Act. A marriage ceremony conducted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the ceremony was conducted, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.