Faithbased Vow Renewal
Faithbased vow renewal centers a couple's marriage around their shared spiritual covenant, honoring God's role in their enduring relationship. Unlike a legal wedding, it serves as a symbolic, celebratory reaffirmation of lifelong promises made before God, family, and the church community.
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”-Mark10:9
Sacred Words
Faith-centered scripts typically incorporate prayer, Scripture readings, and expressions of grace.
”Husbands, love your wives”- Ephesians 5:25
Event Planning & Traditions
The Venue: Hosting in a church sanctuary highlights the sacred nature of the covenant. Intimate backyard settings or scenic outdoor spaces can easily incorporate faith elements, like a decorative cross backdrop.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord” (Pro. 18:22)
Scripture Selections
Couples frequently anchor their ceremony in biblical passages. Popular options include 1 Corinthians 13 primary focus is on the nature of love, Ephesians 5 primary focus is on sacrificial love), or Philippians 4:8 primary focus is on what is true and pure.
“Being that this was my our second time getting married and it was last minute, I had no clue what to expect.I cannot express enough or sufficiently how much I loved our ceremony and blessing. Thank you for making our day so special”.
Betty Miller
- No license needed: You do not need a marriage license, permit, or legal paperwork to host a vow renewal.
- No official record: Because it changes nothing about your legal marital status, the Bexar County Clerkdoes not register, track, or issue certificates for vow renewals.
- Any person can officiant: You do not need an authorized legal officiant (like a judge or ordained minister) to lead the ceremony.
Unless Your Re-Marrying After Divorce :
Under Texas Family Code Section 6.801, you must wait a minimum of 30 days after your divorce decree is signed by the judge before you can legally marry a new partner. If you remarry during this window, the new marriage is considered legally void. You can officially apply for a new marriage license and wed on the 31st day.
Important Exceptions to the 30-Day Rule
The Bexar County Clerk enforces this timeline strictly at the counter. However, you can bypass the 30-day wait under these conditions:
- Remarrying your ex-spouse: If you are remarrying the person you just divorced, there is zero waiting period.
- Judicial Waiver: A judge can waive the 30-day period for "good cause" (e.g., urgent military deployment or critical medical emergencies). If granted, you must bring a certified copy of the signed waiver to the clerk's office.
Steps to Apply in Bexar County After the 30 Days
Once you pass the 30-day window, you can apply for your new license. Both applicants must visit the Bexar County Clerk's Office in person at the Paul Elizondo Tower in downtown San Antonio.
Bring Required Documents: You need a valid state-issued ID (like a driver's license), a passport, or a certified birth certificate, along with your Social Security number.
Pay the Fee: The standard fee is $80.00 in cash or credit card. You can lower this to $20.00 by completing an approved Twogether in Texas premarital course.
Disclose the Divorce: The license application specifically asks if you have been divorced recently. Knowingly falsifying this information is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas.
The Second Clock (72 Hours): Once the clerk issues your new license, you must wait another 72 hours before the wedding ceremony can legally take place. This 72-hour wait is waived for active-duty military members or if you completed the Twogether in Texas course.
- No License Needed: Because you are already married, the state of Arizona does not require paperwork, legal fees, or a new marriage license.