Missouri Marriage License Requirements

If you're getting married in the state of Missouri you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…

Cost of Your License

How much does a marriage license cost?

The marriage license fee is $58.00 dollars. Accepted forms of payment are cash.

Residency Requirement

Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?

There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Missouri to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide.

Waiting Period

After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?

No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued.

License Expiration

How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?

Your license will expire 30 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.

What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?

Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.

Age Requirement

How old must I be to get married?

You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?

If either partner is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.

Blood Test

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No blood test or physical exam is required.

Divorced or Widowed Applicants

What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. Applicants must wait at least 30 days after the divorce has been finalized before applying for a marriage license. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.

Marriage Name Change

How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?

When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Missouri or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.

Proxy Marriage

What is a proxy marriage?

A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."

Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?

No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in Missouri. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy.

Common Law Marriage

What is a common law marriage?

The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Missouri marriage license.

Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?

No, common-law marriages are not allowed in Missouri. This is unsurprising as only one-fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage.

Cousin Marriage

Can I get married to my cousin?

No, cousin marriages are not allowed.

Same Sex Marriage

Are same sex marriages legal?

Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in Missouri.

Where to Go

Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?

Missouri has 113 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.

Adair County Recorder
106 W Washington St
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-665-3890
Andrew Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 208
Savannah, MO 64485
816-324-4221
Atchison County Recorder Of Deeds
400 Washington St
Rockport, MO 64482
660-744-2707
Audrain County Recorder Of Deeds
Courthouse
Mexico, MO 65265
573-473-5830
Barry County Recorder
Courthouse
Cassville, MO 65625
417-847-2914
Barton County Recorder Of Deeds
Courthouse
Lamar, MO 64759
417-682-2110
Bates County County Recorder
P.O. Box 186
Butler, MO 64730
660-679-3611
Benton Recorder Of Deeds
316 Van Buren St
Warsaw, MO 65355
660-438-5732
Bollinger County Recorder
Courthouse
Marble Hill, MO 63764
573-238-2710
Boone County Recorder
701 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
573-886-4345
Buchanan County Recorder Of Deeds
411 Jules St
St Joseph, MO 64106
816-271-1437
Butler County Recorder
P.O. Box 1369
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
573-686-8086
Caldwell County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 86
Kingston, MO 64650
816-586-2581
Callaway County Clerk
10 E 5th St, # 10
Fulton, MO 65251
573-642-0730
Camden County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 930
Camdenton, MO 65020
573-346-4440
Cape Girardeau County Recorder Of Deeds
#1 Barton Square
Jackson, MO 63755
573-243-3547
Carrol County Recorder
P.O. Box 245
Carrollton, MO 64633
660-542-1466
Carter County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 578
Van Buren, MO 63965
573-323-4527
Cass County Clerk
100 E Wall
Harrisonville, MO 64701
816-380-1500
Cedar County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 96
Stockton, MO 65785
417-276-3514
Chariton County Recorder
306 S Cherry St
Keytesville, MO 65261
660-288-3273
Christian County Recorder
Church St, Room #100
Ozark, MO 65721
417-581-6360
Clark County Recorder
East Court St
Kahoka, MO 63445
660-727-3283
Clay County Clerk
P.O. Box 238
Liberty, MO 64068
816-792-7637
Clinton County Clerk
P.O. Box 372
Plattsburg, MO 64477
816-539-3713
Cole County Recorder Of Deeds
301 East High
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-634-9106
Cooper County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 8
Boonville, MO 65233
660-882-2114
Crawford County Recorder Of Deeds
211 Main St
Steelville, MO 65565
573-775-2376
Dade County Recorder
300 W Water St
Greenfield, MO 65661
417-637-2724
Dallas County Recorder
P.O. Box 373
Buffalo, MO 65622
417-345-2243
DeKalb County Recorder Of Deeds
Main St
Maysville, MO 64469
816-449-5402
Dent County Recorder Of Deeds
112 East Fifth St
Salem, MO 65560
573-729-3931
Douglas County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 655
Ava, MO 65608
417-683-4714
Dunklin County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 389
Kennett, MO 63857
573-888-2796
Franklin County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 391
Union, MO 63084
636-583-6355
Gasconade County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 241
Hermann, MO 65041
573-486-5427
Gentry County Recorder Of Deeds
Clay & Polk St
Albany, MO 64402
660-726-3525
Greene County Recorder Of Deeds
940 Boonville
Springfield, MO 65802
417-868-4055
Grundy County Recorder Of Deeds
700 Main St Fl 2
Trenton, MO 64683
660-359-6305
Harrison County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 26
Bethany, MO 64424
660-425-6424
Henry County Recorder Of Deeds
409 3rd St
Clinton, MO 64735
660-885-6963
Hickory County Recorder
P.O. Box 101
Hermitage, MO 65668
417-745-6450
Holt County Recorder Of Deeds
102 W Nodaway St
Oregon, MO 64473
660-446-3303
Howard County Recorder
1 Courthouse Square
Fayette, MO 65248
660-248-2284
Howell County Recorder
P.O. Box 1011
West Plains, MO 65775
417-256-2591
Iron County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 24
Ironton, MO 63650
573-546-2912
Jackson County Recorder Of Deeds
308 West Kansas
Independence, MO 64050
816-881-3198
Jackson County Records Department<BR>Jackson County Courthouse
415 E 12th St
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-881-3198
Jasper County Recorders
P.O. Box 387
Carthage, MO 64836
417-358-0416
Jefferson County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 100
Hillsboro, MO 63050
636-789-5478
Johnson County Recorder Of Deeds
Holden & Market
Warrensburg, MO 64093
660-747-6161
Knox County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 116
Edina, MO 63537
660-397-2184
Laclede County Recorder
200 N Adams Ave
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-5471
Lafayette County Recorder
10th & Main St
Lexington, MO 64067
660-259-4315
Lawrence County Recorder of Deeds
P.O. Box 449
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712
417-466-2670
Lewis County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 97
Monticello, MO 63457
573-767-5205
Lincoln County Recorder
201 Main
Troy, MO 63379
636-528-4415
Linn County Recorder
High St, Room 204
Linneus, MO 64653
660-895-5417
Livingston County Recorder Of Deeds
1 Courthouse Sq
Chillicothe, MO 64601
660-646-2293
Macon County Recorder Of Deeds
120 Vine St
Macon, MO 63552
660-385-2913
Madison County Recorder Of Deeds
1 Main St
Fredericktown, MO 63645
573-783-2176
Maries County Recorder
P.O. Box 213
Vienna, MO 65582
573-422-3388
Marion County Recorder Of Deeds
100 S Main St
Palmyra, MO 63461
573-769-2549
McDonald County Recorder Of Deeds
Main St
Pineville, MO 64856
417-223-4717
Mercer County Recorder
802 E Main St
Princeton, MO 64673
660-748-3425
Miller County Recorder
P.O. Box 11
Tuscumbia, MO 65082
573-369-2731
Mississippi County Recorder
P.O. Box 304
Charleston, MO 63834
573-649-2986
Moniteau County Recorder
200 East Main
California, MO 65018
573-796-2071
Monroe County Clerk
P.O. Box 227
Paris, MO 65275
660-327-5204
Montgomery County Recorder Of Deeds
211 East Third St
Montgomery City, MO 63361
573-564-3341
Morgan County Clerk
P.O. Box 68
Versailles, MO 65084
573-378-5436
New Madrid County Clerk
450 Main St
New Madrid, MO 63869
573-748-2524
Newton County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 130
Neosho, MO 64850
417-451-8225
Nodaway County Recorder Of Deeds
305 N Main St, # 104
Maryville, MO 64468
660-582-5711
Oregon County Recorder
P.O. Box 406
Alton, MO 65606
417-778-7460
Osage County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 825
Linn, MO 65051
573-897-3114
Ozark County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 36
Gainesville, MO 65655
417-679-4232
Pemiscot County Recorder
7th St & Ward St
Caruthersville, MO 63830
573-333-2204
Perry County Recorder Of Deeds
15 West Saint Maries St
Perryville, MO 63775
573-547-1611
Pettis County County Recorder
415 South Ohio St
Sedalia, MO 65301
660-826-1136
Phelps County Recorder
200 N Main St Fl 1
Rollo, MO 65401
573-364-1891
Pike County Recorder
115 West Main
Bowling Green, MO 63334
573-324-5567
Platte County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 70
Platte City, MO 64079
816-858-2232
Polk County Recorder Of Deeds
102 E Broadway St
Bolivar, MO 65613
417-326-4924
Pulaski County Circuit Clerk
301 Us Highway 44 East
Waynesville, MO 65583
573-774-4755
Putnam County Recorder Of Deeds
1601 Main St, # 202
Unionville, MO 63565
660-947-2071
Ralls County Recorder
P.O. Box 444
New London, MO 63459
573-985-5631
Randolph County Recorder
P.O. Box 194
Huntsville, MO 65259
660-277-4718
Ray County Recorder
P.O. Box 167
Richmond, MO 64085
816-776-4500
Reynolds County Recorder
P.O. Box 76
Centerville, MO 63633
573-648-2494
Ripley County Recorder Of Deeds
100 Court House Sq
Doniphan, MO 63935
573-996-2818
Saline Recorder Of Deeds
Courthouse # 206
Marshall, MO 65340
660-886-2677
Schuyler County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 186
Lancaster, MO 63548
660-457-3784
Scotland County Recorder
117 S Market St, # 106
Memphis, MO 63555
660-465-8605
Scott County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 78
Benton, MO 63736
573-545-3551
Shannon County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 148
Eminence, MO 65466
573-226-3315
Shelby County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 176
Shelbyville, MO 63469
573-633-2151
St Charles County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 99
St Charles, MO 63302
636-949-7505
St Clair County Recorder Of Deeds
Courthouse
Osceola, MO 64776
417-646-2226
St Francois County Recorder Of Deeds
Washington St & Columbia St
Famington, MO 63640
573-756-2323
St Genevieve County Recorder Of Deeds
First St
St Genevieve, MO 63670
573-883-2706
St Louis County Recorder Of Deeds
41 South Central
Clayton, MO 63105
636-889-2182
Stoddard County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 217
Bloomfield, MO 63825
573-568-3444
Stone County Recorder
P.O. Box 18
Galena, MO 65656
417-357-6362
Sullivan County Recorder Of Deeds
Court House
Milan, MO 63556
660-265-3630
Taney County Recorder Of Deeds
Main & David Sts
Forsyth, MO 65653
417-546-7234
Texas County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 237
Houston, MO 65483
417-967-3742
Vernon County Recorder Of Deeds
100 W Cherry St,
Nevada, MO 64772
417-448-2520
Warren County Clerk Recorder Of Deeds
104 West Main
Warrenton, MO 63383
636-456-9800
Washington County Recorder Of Deeds
P.O. Box 216
Potosi, MO 63664
573-438-4171
Webster County Recorder
P.O. Box 529
Marshfield, MO 65706
417-468-2173
Worth County Recorder
P.O. Box H
Grant City, MO 64456
660-564-2219
Wright County Recorder
County Courthouse
Hartville, MO 65667
417-741-7121