Do I need marriage license if already common law?

Meagan78

So my fiance and I got common law married last September, mostly for insurance reasons and really just a paper thing, and then he proposed on October 31.  Has anyone done this?  Do you get a new marriage license to convert to a "regular" marriage?  Just do the ceremony for kicks and giggles and stay common law?  I can't find anything online on how to convert from common law to a regular marriage in Texas.

cfibelkorn

I don't think there is "converting" I believe you just get a new "actual" marriage license

Jay+Marissa

Hmm...I'd actually call the marriage license office (County Clerk). They were surprisingly helpful.

Also, some info here, but it doesn't really seem that definitive

http://www.dallascounty.org/department/countyclerk/marriage-license.html#infromal

Meagan78

Thanks.  I hadn't thought about that.  I suppose they would have to issue an actual marriage license instead of some sort of conversion.  I just wonder what the books ultimately say as far as wedding date?  I will keep calling - it's a long hold every time I do and then I get pulled away for something.  Thanks for the ideas, ladies.

Meagan78

I went to the Clerk's office this morning.  They said, yes, to have an official ceremony with a priest, or "remarriage, we would apply for a new license.  Both dates would be on file - informal and formal but the formal would be the one we'd use going forward when calling for records and such and the date on our official marriage certificate will be the new date.