In Texas, a notary public cannot perform a marriage ceremony or issue a marriage license. Unlike some states, Texas does not grant notaries the legal authority to act as wedding officiants solely by holding a notary commission. 

However, a notary public is vital to the Texas marriage process if you need to use an Affidavit of Absent Applicant.

Covington- McGee Wedding & Christian Counseling Chapel can notarize Affidavit of Absent Applicant. 

                   What a Notary CANNOT Do

• Conduct a Marriage Ceremony: A notary public cannot legally marry a couple in Texas. To get married, you must use an authorized officiant such as a licensed or ordained minister, priest, rabbi, judge, or justice of the peace

    Certify Copy of a Marriage License: Texas notaries are strictly prohibited from certifying true copies of recordable documents, which include birth certificates and marriage licenses. These must be obtained directly from the Texas Secretary of State or the county clerk who issued the record.

                What a Notary CAN Do (Absent Applicants)

If you or your partner cannot appear in person at the County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license (due to military deployment, incarceration, or illness), Texas law allows the present applicant to bring a notarized Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License. 

The Notary's Role: The absent applicant must sign this affidavit in front of a notary public, who will verify their identity and notarize the signature.

The Process: The present applicant then takes the original notarized form and a valid photo ID of the absent partner to the local county clerk to get the marriage license.