Here is the blog post, written to your specifications.
Thinking about tying the knot again in the Lone Star State? Maybe for the second, third, or even fourth time. It gets you wondering, is there a limit?
Does Texas have some kind of rule, a cap on how many times you can say “I do”? People ask this all the time. It’s a fair question, especially with how life can twist and turn.
The short answer is pretty simple. But the long answer, well, that has a few more details you need to know about. It’s all in the rules that surround ending one marriage before you start another one. That’s where things get specific.
The Straight-Up Answer: No Magic Number
Let’s just get this out of the way. There is no law in Texas that says you can only be married a certain number of times. Two, three, five, ten times. Go for it.
The state doesn’t keep a scoreboard. The government isn’t tracking your marital history to decide if you’ve had too many turns. It’s not about the quantity of marriages at all.
What Texas cares about, and cares about a whole lot, is that you are only married to one person at a time. This is the big, unbendable rule. One spouse at a time, period.
This idea is known as monogamy, and it’s the foundation of marriage law here. So you can have as many ex-spouses as you want. But you can only have one current spouse.
The Big Rule: You Gotta Be Officially Single First
So, the real question isn’t “how many times,” but “how do I become eligible to marry again?” You must be legally and completely single. Just separating isn’t enough.
Feeling like you’re divorced isn’t the same as being divorced. The law needs paperwork. It needs a final, official end to your previous marriage. This can happen a few ways, normally.
Dealing with Divorce
This is the most common path for people looking to remarry. Once a judge signs your Final Decree of Divorce, your marriage is over. But hold on, you can’t just run to the courthouse the next day.
Texas has a specific waiting period.
It is a law that you must wait 30 days after the divorce decree is signed before you can get a new marriage license. This is a mandatory cooling-off period, so to speak.
The countdown starts the day the judge signs the paper, not the day you filed or went to court. So day one is the day after the signature.
Can the 30-day wait be skipped? Yes, but it’s not common. A judge can waive this requirement for a good reason. You’d have to ask the court for this, it doesn’t happen on its own.
What About After a Spouse Passes Away?
This is a sadder situation, but the legal side is very direct. When a spouse dies, the marriage is legally over. There is no waiting period required in this case.
You are free to remarry whenever you feel ready.
You will need a certified copy of the death certificate. The county clerk will ask for this when you apply for a new marriage license. It’s the official proof the marriage has ended.
Annulments and Void Marriages
An annulment is different from a divorce. It basically declares that the marriage was never valid in the first place. If you get an annulment, it’s like the marriage never happened.
A void marriage is one that was illegal from the very start. Things like marrying a close relative, or, you guessed it, marrying someone when you’re already married to another person.
In these cases, since the marriage was never legal, you are technically free to marry again once the situation is legally sorted out.
So, What Happens if You Mess This Up? The Problem of Bigamy
This is where things get serious. If you get married to someone new while you are still legally married to your old spouse, that’s called bigamy. And it’s a big problem.
Bigamy is not just a mistake, it’s a crime in Texas. It’s considered to be a felony. You can’t just say “oops, my mistake.” The state takes it very seriously.
The penalties can include jail time and heavy fines. It’s something to actively avoid. A new marriage entered into while a previous one is still active is automatically void. It doesn’t count. It has no legal standing.
This can create a huge mess. Think about property, retirement accounts, and all the things that get tangled up in a marriage. It all becomes a legal nightmare to sort out.
So making sure your divorce is 100% final before you even think about another marriage license is really important. Don’t just take your ex’s word for it; see the signed paperwork for yourself.
Getting the Paperwork Right for Your Next Marriage
Okay, so you’ve waited your 30 days or have the needed proof. You’re ready to get married again. What do you actually need to do?
You’ll head down to the county clerk’s office to apply for a marriage license, just like the first time. The process is mostly the same, with one extra step.
You will have to provide information about how your last marriage ended.
Here’s what you should probably bring:
Proof of Identity and Age: A driver’s license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate.
Social Security Number: You usually don’t need the card, just the number.
Proof Your Last Marriage Ended: This is the key. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or the death certificate. The clerk needs to see this.
Once you get the license, remember there’s another waiting period. In Texas, you typically have to wait 72 hours after the license is issued before you can actually have the wedding ceremony.
This waiting period applies to most couples, not just people who have been married before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many times can you be married in Texas?
There is no legal limit to the number of times you can marry. The law only requires that you are legally single before you get married again. You can only have one spouse at a time.
Is there a waiting period to remarry after divorce in Texas?
Yes. Texas law requires you to wait 30 days after a judge signs your Final Decree of Divorce before you can legally marry someone else.
Can I get the 30-day waiting period waived?
It’s possible. A judge can grant a waiver for “good cause,” but this is not automatic. You would have to request this from the court that handled your divorce.
What happens if I get married before my divorce is final?
If you marry someone new while still legally married, the new marriage is void (not legal). You have also committed the crime of bigamy, which is a felony in Texas and carries serious penalties.
Do I need to show my divorce papers to get a new marriage license?
Yes, generally you do. The county clerk will need to see proof that your previous marriage has legally ended. A certified copy of your Final Decree of Divorce is the document they will ask for.
Key Takeaways
No Limit on Number: Texas does not limit how many times you can get married.
One at a Time: The absolute rule is you can only be married to one person at a time.
Be Legally Single: Your prior marriage must be officially over through divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse.
30-Day Divorce Wait: You must wait 30 days after your divorce is finalized to remarry.
Bigamy is a Crime: Marrying someone while still married to another person is a felony with severe consequences.
Bring Your Documents: When applying for a new marriage license, you’ll need ID and proof your last marriage ended (like a divorce decree).
