The Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement is the form that Denton County, Texas, uses for couples who want a brief formal declaration of civil marriage with Judge James R. DePiazza, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. It is not the marriage license itself: if you searched for a Denton County marriage license, this is the acknowledgement you turn in with a valid license so the office can schedule your appointment. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by Denton County at the official URL.
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What is Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement – Denton County, TX?
The Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement is the form that couples sign and turn in to the Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 office to request a brief formal declaration of civil marriage with Judge James R. DePiazza, accepting its conditions.
The form comes with a letter that explains what the declaration is. Judge DePiazza does not conduct traditional marriage or wedding ceremonies. His declaration is strictly a witnessing of the couple's acknowledgement that they want to be united under the marriage laws of Texas. It follows a fixed format: the judge asks whether each of you comes to declare your desire to be united under the marriage laws of the State of Texas, and then gives witness to the declaration, after which you are united under the Texas marriage laws. The couple may exchange rings during the declaration and may say their own words or vows before, during or after the exchange.
By signing, both people acknowledge and accept the conditions in the letter about the declaration format and the refund requirements. The top of the form has a For Office Use Only line for the date and time requested, the date and time scheduled and the fee paid, which the office completes.
The acknowledgement is not a marriage license and does not replace one: the office asks for a valid marriage license together with it.
Who needs to file Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement – Denton County, TX?
Couples who want Judge James R. DePiazza of Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, to witness a brief declaration of civil marriage need to complete this acknowledgement. Both people sign and print their names, and give a telephone number and an email address.
You also need a valid marriage license, which you turn in with the form. The form notes that a license is valid after 72 hours of receipt and before the 90-day expiration of the license. The 72-hour waiting period is waived if one party is active military, or if you took the appropriate steps to have it waived, which must be annotated on the license when it is issued.
This is not the right form if you want a traditional ceremony. Judge DePiazza does not conduct one, and the Denton County page directs those couples to one of the 5 remaining Denton County JP offices or to Retired Justice of the Peace Judge Joe Holland, phone 940-206-5177.
When to file Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement – Denton County, TX
Turn in the acknowledgement before you want the appointment: the office does not schedule or confirm an appointment until it has the signed acknowledgement, your valid marriage license and the cash fee.
Declarations are scheduled from 9:15 am to 4:00 pm, by appointment only and based on availability; appointments are not available after hours. Appointments can be made up to 30 days from the requested date.
Plan around your license dates. The license is valid after 72 hours of receipt and before its 90-day expiration, unless the 72-hour waiting period was waived as described on the form. Arrive on time: if you do not cancel or reschedule in advance, or you miss your scheduled time, your fee may be forfeited.
Documents you need
- A valid marriage license: the office will not schedule the appointment until the signed acknowledgement is turned in with it. The license must be valid after 72 hours of receipt and before its 90-day expiration, unless the waiting period was waived and annotated on the license.
How to fill out Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement – Denton County, TX
Read the declaration conditions
Review the letter above the acknowledgement: the declaration format, the appointment hours, the cash fee requirement and the rule that a missed appointment can forfeit the fee.
Skip the For Office Use Only line
Leave Date/Time Requested, Date/Time Scheduled and Fee Paid blank. The office completes them.
Enter the first person's printed name
Type or print the full name of the first person in the left Printed Name space.
Enter the second person's printed name
Type or print the full name of the second person in the right Printed Name space.
Add telephone and email
Enter one contact number on Telephone Number and an address on Email Address, so the office can reach you about the appointment.
Sign for both people
Each person signs above their own printed name. By signing you accept the conditions about the declaration format and refund requirements.
Check your marriage license dates
Confirm the license is valid after 72 hours of receipt and before its 90-day expiration, unless the waiting period was waived and annotated on it.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that both names and the contact details are correct, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Bring it with your license and the cash fee as described under How to submit.
How to submit Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement – Denton County, TX
Turn the signed acknowledgement in to the office of Judge James R. DePiazza, Justice of the Peace, Denton County, Precinct 2, 5533 FM 423 Frisco, Texas 75034. The form names no other channel.
- Bring with the form: your valid marriage license.
- Fee: a cash fee applies and must be paid before the appointment is scheduled. The form and the Denton County page state the amount; confirm the current amount with the office.
- Office contact: 972-434-7200, or fax 972-434-7201, as printed on the form.
The office then schedules the appointment and records the dates and the fee paid in the For Office Use Only area. Cancel or reschedule in advance if you cannot attend, because the fee may be forfeited otherwise. More information is on the Denton County Marriage Declaration Ceremonies page. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Turning in the acknowledgement without the valid marriage license; the appointment is not scheduled until the office has both.
- Not bringing the cash fee; the appointment is not scheduled or confirmed until the fee is paid.
- Expecting a traditional wedding ceremony; Judge DePiazza does a brief formal declaration only, and traditional ceremonies go to other Denton County JP offices.
- Requesting a time outside 9:15 am to 4:00 pm; appointments are not available after hours.
- Asking for an appointment more than 30 days from the requested date.
- Missing the appointment or arriving late without cancelling or rescheduling in advance, which can forfeit the fee.
- Using a license that is not yet valid (before 72 hours after receipt) or already expired (past 90 days), unless the waiting period was waived and annotated on the license.
- Filling in the For Office Use Only line; the date and time requested, the date and time scheduled and the fee paid are for the office.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Marriage Declaration Ceremony Acknowledgement?
It is the form couples sign and turn in to request a brief formal declaration of civil marriage with Judge James R. DePiazza, Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. By signing, both accept the conditions on declaration format and refunds.
Is this the same as a Denton County marriage license?
No. The acknowledgement is not a marriage license. The office requires a valid marriage license to be turned in with it before an appointment is scheduled. The form explains when a license becomes valid and when it expires.
What do I need to turn in with the acknowledgement?
Turn in the signed acknowledgement with your valid marriage license and pay the cash fee. The Denton County page says appointments are not confirmed until all three are received. Ask the office for the current fee amount.
What are the hours for a marriage declaration in Denton County?
Declarations are scheduled from 9:15 am to 4:00 pm, by appointment only and based on availability. Appointments can be made up to 30 days from the requested date, and none are available after hours.
What happens if I miss my declaration appointment?
Your fee may be forfeited. The form says this applies if you do not cancel or reschedule in advance, or if you do not come at your scheduled time, so cancel or reschedule before the appointment.
Does Judge DePiazza perform a traditional wedding ceremony?
No. He does a brief formal declaration only, which witnesses your acknowledgement that you want to be united under Texas marriage laws. You may exchange rings and say your own words. For a traditional ceremony, contact one of the 5 other Denton County JP offices.
How long is my marriage license valid for the declaration?
The form says a license is valid after 72 hours of receipt and before its 90-day expiration. The 72-hour wait is waived if one party is active military or the proper steps were taken, which must be annotated on the license at issuance.
Can I fill out the acknowledgement online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not file it or schedule your appointment; you turn it in to the Precinct 2 office with your license and fee.
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