✅Relating to the confidentiality of certain information on a declaration of informal marriage.

HB 1193

✅ HB 1193: Confidentiality Option for Informal Marriage Records

What it says it does:
HB 1193 lets Texans who file an informal marriage declaration keep personal details private by checking a confidentiality box on the form. The goal is to protect people from harassment, stalking, or identity theft by limiting what clerks can publish.

What it actually changes:
County clerks and the Department of State Health Services must withhold identifying information if the confidentiality box is checked. Only the names of the parties can be released, and only to the parties themselves or their legal representatives.

Who is pushing for it:
Authored by Rep. Manuel and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Johnson. Supported by the Texas Advocacy Project, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and Harris County officials. No opposition noted in the files.

Who benefits:
Survivors of family violence and Texans who want control over how much personal information becomes public record. Clerks and state agencies gain clear instructions on how to apply privacy protections.

Who gets left out or exposed:
People who filed before the September 1, 2025 effective date. Their older declarations remain public unless another law covers them. Texans with privacy concerns in other types of records still do not have a similar option.

Why this matters long term:
This bill creates a model for limited, opt-in privacy protections that could be expanded to other public records. If implemented consistently across the state, it could strengthen trust in how Texas handles personal information.

What to watch next:
Watch for how DSHS guides county clerks on applying this rule. Without clear training and follow-up, some counties might fail to protect applicants equally.

Bottom line:
HB 1193 is a practical and affordable step toward stronger privacy. It gives Texans more control over what the government releases about their personal lives.

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