Applying For A Marriage License

Marriage licenses are issued by the Recorder of Deeds in each Missouri County and is only valid in Missouri.

License applicants are not required to be Missouri residents, but both must appear before the recorder of deeds and provide identification containing date of birth, along with a social security card to apply for a license.

Fees for the marriage license vary by county. You can call your county recorder of deeds for more information.

Marriage Laws

Applicants for a marriage license must be at least 18 years old.

• Applicants who are younger than 18 must have consent from a custodial parent or guardian.

• Applicants cannot be married already and may not be related by blood, through and including first cousins.

• The license must be picked up prior to the marriage ceremony. The person performing the ceremony must have the license prior to the ceremony.

• The marriage license must be returned to the issuing Recorder of Deeds within 15 days.

• If a marriage ceremony does not occur, the license shall be void after thirty days from the date of issuance.

Who Can Perform A Ceremony

Marriages may be solemnized by any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state. Marriages may also be solemnized, without compensation, by any judge, including a municipal judge. Marriages may also be solemnized by a religious society, religious institution, or religious organization of this state, according to the regulations and customs of the society, institution or organization, when either party to the marriage to be solemnized is a member of such society, institution or organization.

Section 451.100.1 of Missouri Revised Statutes