Instructions for Completing an Absent Applicant Affidavit

The Affidavit of Absent Applicant is used to apply for a Marriage License when one party is unable to appear in the County Clerk's office. It is important that the Affidavit is correct and complete. Please read the following instructions carefully.

The party who will not be able to appear in the County Clerk's office must complete and sign this form in the presence of a Notary Public. All blanks on the form must be filled in and all questions must be answered with a circle around the correct answer. The names of both parties must be printed exactly as they appear on the identification that will be used to obtain the Marriage License.
If the absent applicant will not attend the wedding ceremony, he/she must acknowledge that fact on line 14 and name the proxy (stand-in) on line 15 of the application. This person (proxy) need not be present to apply for the license, but they must appear at the ceremony. The Notary must sign and seal the affidavit. The party who is able to appear must come to the County Clerk's office at least 72 hours, but not more than 30 days prior to the wedding. They must present:

• The completed and notarized Affidavit of Absent Applicant.
•  An acceptable form of identification for both parties that states the correct name and date of birth of each applicant. This may include any one of the following.
• Certified Copy of Birth Certificate (No Xerox Copies)
• State Issued ID Card
• Valid Passport
• Driver's License or copy of Driver's License, if the original License is unavailable.
• Military ID Card or copy of Military ID Card, if the original ID is unavailable.

Under no circumstances will the Clerk's office accept an altered document as proof of identity.

There will be a cash fee of $72.00, which must be paid at the time the license is issued.

For questions, contact the County Clerk’s office at 972-932-4331 X1108.