To get married at the courthouse in Missouri, both of you go together to any county Recorder of Deeds office, apply for a marriage license, and then have a judge perform a short ceremony. There’s no waiting period, so the license and the wedding can happen the same day, and the whole process usually costs less than $100.
What to Bring to the Recorder’s Office
Both applicants have to appear in person, together. Everyone applying must be at least 18. Missouri no longer allows any exceptions for 16- and 17-year-olds.1Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 451.090 – Issuance of License Prohibited, When – Proof of Age
Each of you needs an unexpired government-issued photo ID: a driver’s license, passport, state ID card, military ID, or certified birth certificate.2Cass County, MO – Official Website. Marriage License Requirements You’ll need to give your Social Security number on the application, but most counties don’t require the physical card.3Clay County, MO. Marriage License If either of you was married before, bring the month and year that marriage ended by death or divorce.
The application also asks for full legal names, places of birth, and current addresses. Applicants cannot be related more closely than first cousins. If either of you is not a U.S. citizen, a valid passport typically covers the ID requirement, but call the county office ahead of time about any documents that aren’t in English.
Getting the Marriage License
You apply for and receive the license at the Recorder of Deeds office in any Missouri county.4Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 451.040 – Marriage License Required, Waiting Period – Application, Contents – License Void When The county doesn’t have to match where you plan to hold the ceremony. Wherever you apply, the license is valid for a wedding performed anywhere in Missouri, and the marriage will be recorded in the county that issued it.2Cass County, MO – Official Website. Marriage License Requirements
The fee runs roughly $48 to $60. Greene County charges $51,5Greene County Recorder. Marriage Licenses Morgan County charges $51,6Morgan County, Missouri. Marriage License and St. Louis City charges $60, which includes one certified copy of the certificate.7City of St. Louis. Apply for a Marriage License Most offices take cash and many accept debit or credit cards with a small convenience charge. Checks usually aren’t accepted.
Missouri sets no waiting period. You can apply, receive the license, and hold the ceremony the same day.5Greene County Recorder. Marriage Licenses The license stays valid for 30 days from the date of issue. After that it’s void, and you’d have to reapply and pay the fee again.4Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 451.040 – Marriage License Required, Waiting Period – Application, Contents – License Void When
Some counties let you pre-fill the application online before you come in, which speeds up the counter visit. You’ll still both need to appear in person to sign, show ID, and pay. Check your county Recorder’s website for the option.
Scheduling the Courthouse Ceremony
Missouri law lets any judge, including municipal judges, perform a marriage, and judges do so without compensation.8Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 451.100 – Marriages Solemnized by Whom Clergy members in good standing with a Missouri church or synagogue can also officiate, but for a courthouse wedding you’re arranging things with a judge.
Contact the circuit court in the county where you want to marry. Practices vary. Some courts set aside specific wedding days; others fit ceremonies around the judge’s docket. St. Louis City, for example, holds no-cost weddings performed by judges on scheduled Fridays at the Civil Courts Building.9St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds. No-Cost Weddings Walk-ins generally aren’t an option, so book a time in advance.
The Ceremony Itself
A courthouse ceremony is short, usually a few minutes. The judge confirms your identities, reviews the unexpired license, and leads you through an exchange of consent. There’s no required script or personalized vows; legally, what matters is that both of you consent and the judge declares the marriage valid.
Missouri requires witnesses to sign the marriage license after the ceremony.10Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 193.185 – Certificate of Marriage to Be Given The statute doesn’t set a specific number, but bringing two adults with you is a safe bet. If you don’t have anyone available, ask when you schedule; some courthouses can arrange for staff to serve as witnesses. Plan to arrive early for the security screening at the courthouse entrance.
After the Ceremony
The officiant, not you, is responsible for returning the signed license to the Recorder of Deeds within 15 days.10Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 193.185 – Certificate of Marriage to Be Given Failing to return it on time is a misdemeanor under Missouri law.11Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Missouri Code 451.130 – Penalty for Failure to Issue, Record or Return License Even though the duty is the officiant’s, call the Recorder’s office after a couple of weeks to confirm the paperwork arrived. Without filing, your marriage record won’t be complete.
Once the license is filed, you can order certified copies of the marriage certificate from the Recorder of Deeds in the county that issued it. Fees vary by county. The state Bureau of Vital Records can issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage but not the certificate itself; for the actual certificate, go through the county Recorder.12Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Order a Copy of a Vital Record Ordering two or three copies up front is a good idea, since you’ll need them for name changes, insurance updates, and financial accounts.
One boundary worth flagging: Missouri does not recognize common law marriage. Living together, for any length of time, does not create a legal union in this state. The license-and-ceremony process is the only way to get the legal rights that come with marriage.