The Absent Applicant Affidavit (Marriage License), printed as Form VS-181, is the sworn statement Kaufman County, Texas uses when one party applying for a marriage license cannot appear in the County Clerk's office. It is one of the documents involved in getting a Kaufman County marriage license, and the absent party must sign it in front of a Notary Public. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF and the clerk's instructions are published by Kaufman County.
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What is VS-181?
The Absent Applicant Affidavit (Marriage License), printed on the form as the Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License, is the sworn document used to apply for a marriage license when one of the two parties is unable to appear in the County Clerk's office.
The form says its form and content are prescribed by section 2.007 of the Texas Family Code. County clerks issue all marriage licenses in Texas under Family Code Section 2.001, and Kaufman County's page says a license there can be obtained only at the County Clerk's office. The affidavit does not issue a license by itself. The other applicant brings it, notarized, to the clerk's office together with identification.
On the form, the absent applicant gives name, address, date of birth, place of birth, Social Security number and citizenship. The applicant marks TRUE or FALSE on statements about divorce, current marriage, family relationship to the other applicant and court-ordered child support. The form then asks for the other applicant's details, the approximate date of the marriage and the reason for not appearing. A separate section is limited to members of the armed forces of the United States stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation, who are unable to attend the ceremony and name an adult proxy.
The form is a one-document variant of the marriage license application process; it is not the license.
Who needs to file VS-181?
The party to the marriage who will not be able to appear in the Kaufman County Clerk's office completes and signs this affidavit in the presence of a Notary Public. The other party, who can appear, takes the notarized affidavit to the clerk.
- Absent applicant: completes every blank, answers every question with a check mark and signs before the notary.
- Applicant who appears: goes to the County Clerk's office with the affidavit and acceptable identification.
- Members of the armed forces: only those of the United States armed forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation, and unable to attend the ceremony, may complete the proxy section. They name an adult person, other than the other applicant, to act as proxy for the ceremony.
The instructions also say the proxy need not be present to apply for the license but must appear at the ceremony. If both applicants can appear at the clerk's office, the instructions give no reason to use this affidavit, since it is described as being for the case where one party is unable to appear.
When to file VS-181
Use the affidavit when one party cannot appear in person to apply for the marriage license. The party who is able to appear must come to the County Clerk's office at least 72 hours, but not more than 90 days, before the wedding, and bring the notarized affidavit with identification.
The form asks for the approximate date on which the marriage is to occur, so plan the notarized signature and the clerk's visit around that date. Kaufman County asks applicants to arrive at the Courthouse no later than 3:30 pm and says to expect the process to take approximately 30 minutes. The instructions state no other deadline or validity period for the affidavit itself.
Documents you need
- The completed Affidavit of Absent Applicant, signed by the absent applicant in the presence of a Notary Public, with the Notary's signature and seal.
- State issued ID card, as one of the two accepted identification documents; it must state the correct name and date of birth of each applicant.
- State issued driver's license that is not expired, as one of the two accepted identification documents.
- Valid passport, as one of the two accepted identification documents.
- Social Security card, as one of the two accepted identification documents.
- Military ID card, as one of the two accepted identification documents.
How to fill out VS-181
Enter the state and county
At the top, complete the header line "THE STATE OF ___ COUNTY OF ___" for the place where the affidavit is sworn.
Identify the absent applicant
Enter the Name of Absent Applicant (First, Middle, Last, Suffix) exactly as it appears on the identification that will be used to obtain the license, plus the Maiden Surname if applicable.
Add address and personal details
Enter the address (street, city, state, zip), Date of Birth, Place of Birth including city, county and state, Social Security Number and Citizenship.
Mark each TRUE or FALSE statement
Check TRUE or FALSE for the divorce, current marriage, relationship and child support statements, including the statement about the other applicant's marital status. All questions must be answered with a check mark.
Enter the other applicant's details
After "I desire to marry," print the Name of Other Applicant (First, Middle, Last, Suffix) as on their ID, with Maiden Surname if applicable, Age, the approximate date of the marriage and the address.
State the reason for not appearing
Write the reason you are unable to appear personally before the county clerk for the issuance of the license.
Complete the military section if it applies
Only members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation, and unable to attend the ceremony, enter the name of an adult proxy other than the other applicant. Others leave it blank.
Sign before the Notary Public
Print the form, then sign and date under the oath only in the presence of the Notary. The Notary completes the signature, printed name and title, date sworn, commission expiration date and seal.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every blank is filled and the names match the IDs, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and have the other applicant take it to the County Clerk's office.
How to submit VS-181
The affidavit is delivered in person by the applicant who can appear, at the Kaufman County Clerk's office. The instructions name no mail, fax or online channel.
- In person: the County Clerk's office, 1902 E. US Highway 175, Kaufman, TX. Kaufman County asks that you arrive at the Courthouse no later than 3:30 pm.
- What to bring: the completed and notarized affidavit, signed and sealed by the Notary, and acceptable identification showing the correct name and date of birth of each applicant (see the required documents).
- Fee: a fee applies and must be paid when the license is issued, by cash or credit card. Call the County Clerk's office for the current amount.
- Questions: County Clerk's office, 972-932-4331 X 1303.
The clerk's office will not accept an altered document as proof of identity. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing the affidavit before meeting the Notary Public; the absent applicant must complete and sign it in the notary's presence.
- Leaving blanks unfilled or skipping a TRUE/FALSE statement; the instructions require all blanks filled and every question answered with a check mark.
- Printing names differently from the identification that will be used to obtain the license; both names must match the ID exactly.
- Submitting an affidavit the Notary has not both signed and sealed.
- Having the clerk's visit fall less than 72 hours or more than 90 days before the wedding.
- Presenting an altered document or an expired driver's license as identification; the clerk's office does not accept altered documents.
- Completing the armed forces proxy section when you are not a member of the U.S. armed forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation.
- Arriving at the Courthouse after 3:30 pm, the latest arrival time the county requests.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Absent Applicant Affidavit for a marriage license?
It is the sworn affidavit used to apply for a marriage license when one party cannot appear in the County Clerk's office. Kaufman County's copy is Form VS-181, whose content the form says is prescribed by section 2.007 of the Texas Family Code.
Does the Absent Applicant Affidavit have to be notarized?
Yes. The party who cannot appear must complete and sign it in the presence of a Notary Public, and the Notary must sign and seal it. Do not sign the form beforehand.
When does the other applicant have to go to the Kaufman County Clerk?
At least 72 hours, but not more than 90 days, before the wedding. The applicant who can appear brings the notarized affidavit and acceptable identification to the County Clerk's office.
What ID is accepted with the absent applicant affidavit?
Any two of: a state issued ID card, a state issued driver's license that is not expired, a valid passport, a Social Security card or a military ID card. The ID must state the correct name and date of birth of each applicant, and altered documents are not accepted.
Is there a fee for a Kaufman County marriage license?
Yes. The instructions say a fee must be paid when the license is issued, by cash or credit card. The amount is not repeated here; call the County Clerk's office at 972-932-4331 X 1303 for the current figure.
Where do I get a marriage license in Kaufman County?
Only at the County Clerk's office, 1902 E. US Highway 175, Kaufman, TX. The county asks you to arrive at the Courthouse no later than 3:30 pm and says the process takes approximately 30 minutes.
Who can act as proxy if a military applicant cannot attend the ceremony?
An adult person other than the other applicant. The proxy section is only for members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in another country in support of combat or another military operation who cannot attend the ceremony.
Can I fill out the Absent Applicant Affidavit online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not file it or notarize it: you still sign before a Notary Public and the other applicant delivers it to the Kaufman County Clerk.
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