Texas Fee Waivers for Service Members Deploying to a Hostile Fire Zone

A service member on active duty, or a Guard member on federal active duty, preparing to deploy to a hostile fire zone pays no state or local fee for copies of birth, marriage, divorce, child support, guardianship or property tax records, for a marriage licence, or for transferring title to property, when arranging affairs for the deployment.

Also called: deployment, hostile fire zone, fee waiver, birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, title transfer, county clerk, 437.217, National Guard.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

TexasState

Government Code section 437.217 exempts a member of the armed forces on active duty, or a member of the National Guard on federal active duty, who is preparing to deploy to a hostile fire zone designated by the Secretary of Defense, from state or local government fees the member incurs because of the deployment to arrange personal affairs. Which fees: - copies of a birth certificate, a recorded marriage licence, a divorce decree, a child support order, guardianship documents and property tax records; - issuing a marriage licence or a duplicate marriage licence; - transferring title to real or personal property. Proof. The office collecting the fee, usually the county clerk, district clerk or tax office, may rely on a letter from the member's unit commander. Bring one. It is a waiver for the deploying member, not a veteran benefit, and it covers only fees incurred because of the deployment. The county pages say where a clerk publishes it.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Texas Fee Waivers for Service Members Deploying to a Hostile Fire Zone
Gate	Rule
On active duty and preparing to deploy to a hostile fire zone	A member on active duty, or a Guard member on federal active duty, preparing to deploy to a designated hostile fire zone. No rating is involved.

Sources

Texas Government Code section 437.217, exemption from fees for deployed military personnelOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-02.

Request an update

Out of date, a broken link, or something else wrong? Say what you found, and an editor checks it against the official source.

Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.