In Texas, do both people have to be present to apply for a marriage license?

Yes, you both have to swear in (raise your right hand...) and sign the documents plus provide legal proof of who you are. I know, I live in Texas and we just got ours last week!!

Yes

Yes

Texas does have a procedure under which a District Judge can waive the 3-day waiting period. You might check with your officiant regarding how hard it is to get such a waiver. I know that in Massachusetts, we were able to get one just by telling the judge that we lived in Maryland, and weren't able to get to Massachusetts by three days before the wedding. But the difficulty seems to vary a lot by state.

This site says as follows:

It requires a District Judge to obtain a waiver of the waiting period. However, this is not difficult to obtain and no fee is involved - IF you go to the right offices. For waivers of the waiting period in the DFW area, we HIGHLY recommend that you use the downtown Dallas or downtown Fort Worth County clerks office if you are seeking a waiver.

Simply tell the clerk you need a waiver of the waiting period and he/she will tell you want to do.

YOU ROCK 2d!!! I've been looking for this info for hours...just hope it doesn't vary between Dallas and Houston!!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

Well, apparently you can get the license at any clerk's office in Texas--it doesn't have to be the one where the ceremony will be held. So if all else failed, you could get the waiver and license in Dallas and then get married in Houston. However, I would recommend asking your officiant (who will presumably have experience in such matters) how hard it is to get a waiver in Houston.

Our officiant probably wouldn't since he does his worship stuff in kansas and this is his first wedding, but i appreciate all the advice

There are certain issues that apply to getting the waiver. I would contact the Harris County District clerks office and speak to the office that handles marriage licences to find out what requirements are needed for the waiver. I had a waiver for my first marriage but he was military and leaving.

I realize this is an old post, but in case anyone is still around:

Any suggestions about when to apply for a waiver for a Texas license?

We're getting married in April and - like the OP - my fiance won't be in Austin more than 2 days in advance. Should I go to the clerk and ask for a waiver while we're in Texas for the holidays or wait until we're back in April and just hope they grant it?