By order of the Twogether in Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative, the state’s marriage license fee will be doubled from $30 to $60. But couples can avoid most of that cost and the state’s 72-hour marriage waiting period by completing a free eight-hour course that teaches how to communicate better and how to resolve arguments.
Couples must present their certificates of course completion at the time of application, or they will not be able to take advantage of the fee waiver.
Secular classes for Bell, Milam and surrounding counties have already been scheduled via Lutheran Social Services, the Twogether in Texas liaison for Central Texas communities from Temple to Austin.
Area classes are set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates: Sept. 13 at Lutheran Social Services, 8305 Cross Park Drive, Austin; Sept. 20 at the Bell County Help Center, 201 E. Ave. D, Killeen; Sept. 27 at Comfort Suites, 2700 LaSalle, Waco; and Oct. 25, Bea’s Kitchen, 101 E. Main Street, Cameron.
These classes are free, and lunch will be provided. Reservations are due at least one week in advance to Tina Zych at tina.zych@lsss.org or 512-459-1000 Ext. 7548.
Premarital courses at churches and other religion-based institutions will satisfy Twogether in Texas requirements only if they’ve been approved by Lutheran Social Services.
The marriage course law is the idea of Rep. Warren Chisum, a Pampa Republican. He said he wanted to try to reduce the number of divorces. Opponents argue that an expensive marriage fee will, in effect, make the courses mandatory for couples who can’t afford the license.
Lawmakers passed the bill late last year, noting that courses must be eight hours and must address communication, conflict resolution and healthy marriage skills.
Six states in addition to Texas have laws that encourage premarital classes in exchange for marriage license fee reductions, according to the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center. Classes are typically from four to 12 hours.
Texas’ program, Twogether in Texas, will have a Web site to provide information beginning Monday. For more information, call Lutheran Social Services at 512-454-4611, or toll free at 800-396-4611.
Kelley Shannon with the Associated Press contributed to this report.
--tlunsford@temple-telegram.com
