Guide to Missouri Marriage Records

A marriage record is an official document maintained by a government entity that notes the legal union between two individuals. In Missouri, these records typically include the full names of both spouses, their ages, places of residence, the date of the marriage, the location of the ceremony, and the name of the officiant.

A marriage record is a general term for documents related to a marriage. The documents include a marriage license or a marriage certificate. While all three terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. A marriage license is a legal document issued by a county Recorder of Deeds that authorizes a couple to marry. On the other hand, a marriage certificate is a document created after the marriage is performed and recorded, serving as proof that the marriage took place.

A marriage record search may be conducted for several reasons, including tracing ancestry, confirming family relationships, verifying marital status, and applying for government benefits.

Types of Marriage Records in Missouri

Missouri marriage records include:

Marriage Certificates

A marriage certificate is a formal document issued by the state that shows a marriage was legally performed and recorded. It typically includes the names of the spouses, the marriage date, the county of marriage, and the officiant's information.

A certified copy of this marriage record is appropriate when official proof of marriage is required, including a legal name change or another government or administrative transaction.

The certified copy of the original Missouri marriage record is issued by the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the marriage license was obtained

Marriage Licenses

This marriage record gives a couple legal authorization to marry. It is different from a marriage certificate in that it is obtained before the ceremony. The certificate, on the other hand, documents that the marriage occurred.

Missouri marriage licenses are issued by county Recorders of Deeds. They are valid only for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Marriage Statements

Missouri issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage (also called “marriage statements”) through its Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Bureau of Vital Records. This document functions as a marriage verification tool. However, it only contains the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where the marriage was recorded.

Note that this document does not contain the complete original marriage certificate, but it can confirm basic marriage information. However, it is different from a certified copy of the county record.

Missouri issues statements for marriages reported from July 1, 1948, and the current state search fee is $15. Government agencies may also request confidential marriage verification through the DHSS.

Are Marriage Records Public in Missouri?

Access to Missouri marriage records depends on whether the record is held by a county Recorder of Deeds or by the Bureau of Vital Records. County-recorded marriage records are generally public records, and the Recorder of Deeds offices make recorded marriage documents available for public inspection and copying.

However, Missouri state vital records are not open to the general public. Since the DHSS handles marriage statements, such records are limited to applicants with a direct and tangible interest in the record.

Certain information contained in Missouri marriage records is restricted from public access. For instance, a Social Security number provided on a marriage-license application is exempt from public inspection and copying.

What Information Is Included in a Marriage Record?

Depending on the type and age of the record, a Missouri marriage record may contain the following details:

• Full names of both spouses
• Residences of the spouses
• Marriage date and location
• County where the license was issued or recorded
• Marriage-license number
• Date the license was issued
• Officiant's name or signature
• Witness information
• Date the completed record was filed

Note that certain identifying information may be restricted or unavailable in publicly accessible copies. Examples include Social Security Numbers and precise home addresses.

How to Find Marriage Records in Missouri

Step 1: Identify the Marriage Details

Before starting a marriage records search, collect the full names of both spouses (including maiden names), the approximate date of the marriage, and the specific Missouri county where the license was issued.

Step 2: Find the Record Custodian

Marriage record custodians in Missouri are:

• State Vital Records Office: The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds central records dating back to July 1948.
• County Recorder of Deeds: For records older than July 1948, or for faster processing, contact the Recorder of Deeds office in the specific county where the license was originally filed.

Note that older records may be held by county archives, historical societies, and the Missouri State Archives.

Step 3: Choose How to Search

Available methods include:

• Online: Some county recorder offices provide free online marriage indexes. For instance, Clay County provides an online marriage index covering January 1, 1930, to the present.
• By mail: County recorders generally accept copy requests by mail, depending on local procedures.
• In person: Marriage records can be searched or ordered from the appropriate Recorder of Deeds.
• Through an approved third-party database: The DHSS accepts orders for a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage through an approved third-party vendor (VitalChek).

Step 4: Submit a Record Request

Requests for marriage records generally require proof of identity, such as a driver's license or a state photo ID, along with a completed application. A $15 fee is also required for a certified copy. Fees for marriage records at the county level may vary. The processing times for standard mail requests are up to 8 weeks, while telephone or online orders made via the approved third-party vendor take up to 7 business days.

How to Get a Certified Marriage Certificate in Missouri

A certified copy of an original Missouri marriage record may be obtained from the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the marriage license was issued. This copy is available only to the spouses named in the records and to other members of the public.

However, the issuing Recorder of Deeds set its procedure for requesting marriage records maintained by its office. Hence, service options, the application form, fees, and any identification requirements vary from one county to another.

Typically, requesters need to contact the Recorder of Deeds that issued the marriage license and provide the information needed to locate the record. Information required to search county records usually includes both spouses' names, the marriage date, the number of copies requested, and contact or mailing information. Fees for certified copies also vary by county. For instance, Greene County and St. Louis County charge $9 for a certified copy, while Clay County charges $10.

To obtain a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage from the DHSS, submit a completed application, proper identification, tangible interest documentation (if applicable), and a fee to perform a search for the record ($15) to:

Mail-in requests must be notarized by an acceptable notary public and include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. Standard mail-in requests take about 4-8 weeks to process, while online orders take about 5-7 business days. In-person requests at the DHSS and county offices are typically processed on the same day.

How to Get a Marriage License in Missouri

County Recorders of Deeds or the Recorder of Deeds for the City of St. Louis issue marriage licenses in Missouri. To obtain a license, applicants must be at least 18 years of age. They must provide proof of age through a certified birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued identification. Their marriage license application must be signed before the recorder or deputy, or through an authorized electronic process.

Missouri does not impose a general residency requirement for applicants who apply through the ordinary in-person process. However, some counties use a fully electronic process in which applicants' identities are not verified in person. In such cases, Missouri law requires that at least one applicant be a resident of the county or the City of St. Louis in which the electronic application is submitted.

Many counties, such as Lincoln County, allow applicants to complete an online pre-application before they visit the county office to obtain the license. However, Saint Louis County allows marriage license applicants to complete the entire process online without needing an appointment with the Recorder of Deeds office.

The fee for a Missouri marriage license varies from one county to another. This fee typically ranges between $46 and $60. Green and Clay counties charge $51 for a marriage license. The state imposes no waiting period after obtaining a marriage license. However, a Missouri marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Missouri marriages must be solemnized by an authorized person, including a qualifying clergy member, a judge, or an authorized religious organization. Note that two witnesses must be present at the wedding and sign the marriage license at the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the county office within 15 days.

Who Can Request Marriage Records?

Certified copies of Missouri marriage certificates issued by county officers are public and can be obtained by anyone. However, a marriage statement issued by the DHSS may only be obtained by persons named on the record and others with a direct and tangible interest in the record. These include:

• Immediate family members, such as parents, children, siblings, or grandparents, upon showing proof of kinship
• Guardians
• Official representatives
• Attorneys acting for a qualified person
• Authorized agents with appropriate notarized authorization
• Government agencies, when authorized for an official purpose

Free and Online Marriage Record Searches

Although availability varies by county, some county Recorder of Deeds offices maintain searchable online marriage indexes for users to perform a search. For example, the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Online Search allows users to look up marriage licenses from January 1, 1930, to the present.

Historical databases, such as the Missouri State Archives, also offer digitized indexes and collections of early marriage records that users can search.

Note that access on these platforms is limited to viewing basic information, such as names, county of issuance, and document dates. Individuals who want an official certified copy must pay the appropriate fees to retrieve physical paperwork.

When performing a search and the exact county or date is not known, you may:

• Search both spouses' names.
• Use maiden or previous surnames.
• Search an approximate year range.
• Check the counties where either spouse lived.
• Request a state Certified Statement Relating to Marriage to identify the county where the marriage was recorded if the marriage occurred on or after July 1, 1948.

Common Law Marriage in Missouri

According to RSMo § 451.040, common-law marriages created in the state are null and void. Hence, there is no number of years of cohabitation, shared finances, or other conduct that will establish a new Missouri common-law marriage.

However, Missouri courts recognize an out-of-state common-law marriage when the couple satisfies the law of the state where the marriage was created.

How to Correct an Error on a Marriage Record

You can correct an error on a marriage record by submitting an amendment request to the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the original marriage license was obtained. Common types of errors found in Missouri marriage records include misspelled first or last names, incorrect birth dates, typographical errors in the ceremony location, or misstated parent names.

Either spouse listed on the marriage certificate can request an amendment. However, if the error on the record concerns ceremony details, the marriage officiant may also request a correction.

Individuals requesting an amendment must provide official documentary evidence proving the error on the record. Acceptable items include certified birth certificates and a government-issued photo ID.

Correction fees vary by county but are usually nominal. Processing times also vary, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the correction and the volume of requests at the county office.

Marriage Records and Name Changes

A certified copy of a Missouri marriage certificate is useful in many circumstances as proof of a name change. Government agencies that require a certified copy of a marriage certificate to update their records include:

• Social Security Administration (SSA): Required for name change for tax purposes.
• Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR): Requires the updated Social Security card and certified marriage certificate to issue a new driver's license.
• U.S. Department of State: Requires a certified copy to update or issue a passport

While changing your name with government agencies alters your personal identification documents, it does not correct any errors in your original marriage record. Your marriage record, which remains a permanent historical document showing your legal name at the time of the wedding. Amendments can only be made to an original marriage record document by submitting a valid correction request to the county Recorder of Deeds.

Marriage Records for Genealogy and Family History

Anyone looking to search Missouri marriage records for genealogical purposes may contact the county Recorder of Deeds or the Missouri State Archives. The Archives holds records from all 114 counties in the state on microfilm. For most counties, their record collections began near the date the county was formed. Also, some digitized marriage books, registers, applications, and indexes are available through the County and Municipal Records Database.

Historical Missouri marriage records typically contain:

• Names of the spouses
• Residences
• Marriage date
• Officiant
• Filing date
• License number
• Volume and page number
• Ages and other information in some applications or registers

Most historical indexes allow searching by either spouse's name. For researchers, knowing the county where the record is held can help narrow search results. Furthermore, an approximate date helps locate the desired record more quickly when the exact date of the marriage is not known.

Note that historical marriage records may be incomplete due to several reasons. For instance, courthouse fires and other disasters resulted in the loss of records in some counties. Moreover, not all surviving records have been digitized or indexed online.

Frequently Asked Questions