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Texas Family Code - Section 2.204. 72-Hour Waiting Period; Exceptions

Legal Research Home > Texas Laws > Family Code > Texas Family Code - Section 2.204. 72-Hour Waiting Period; Exceptions

§ 2.204. 72-HOUR WAITING PERIOD;  EXCEPTIONS.  (a) Except 
as provided by this section, a marriage ceremony may not take place 
during the 72-hour period immediately following the issuance of the 
marriage license.
	(b)  The 72-hour waiting period after issuance of a marriage 
license does not apply to an applicant who:
		(1)  is a member of the armed forces of the United 
States and on active duty;
		(2)  is not a member of the armed forces of the United 
States but performs work for the United States Department of 
Defense as a department employee or under a contract with the 
department;  or
		(3)  obtains a written waiver under Subsection (c).                           
	(c)  An applicant may request a judge of a court with 
jurisdiction in family law cases, a justice of the supreme court, a 
judge of the court of criminal appeals, a county judge, or a judge 
of a court of appeals for a written waiver permitting the marriage 
ceremony to take place during the 72-hour period immediately 
following the issuance of the marriage license.  If the judge finds 
that there is good cause for the marriage to take place during the 
period, the judge shall sign the waiver.  Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, a judge under this section has the authority to 
sign a waiver under this section.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997.  
Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1052, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1999;  Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1196, § 1, eff. June 18, 2005.

Last modified: August 11, 2007