A MISSOURI marriage license can be purchased at any Missouri courthouse in the state and can be used anywhere in Missouri. Couple must appear together - it does not take long to get and application can even be started online. Apply online for your Missouri marriage license  HERE

It is required to have 2 witnesses in Missouri. Marriage Licenses in Missouri cost $50. Some offices require cash (exact amount as they do not make change - Platte County is one) while other counties may also accept credit or debit cards. (We suggest you call the county ahead of time to determine their hours and method of payment required.)

Missouri State Statutes Recorder of Deeds office issues, records and maintains MARRIAGE LICENSE records - NOT marriage CERTIFICATES.

The certificate is just a souvenir for the couple and not a legal document. The courthouse does not have records or copies of the marriage certificate - only the license and the certified copy needed for name change is a certified copy of the LICENSE - not the Certificate.            

Individuals must be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license; however, with parental consent one can be granted at age 16. No blood test is required and there is no waiting period in Missouri. When you apply for your license, you wait while the information is filled out and you leave with your license in hand.

Both parties must appear together to apply for license;

both must provide social security numbers (no social security card is required) and one piece of identification (Drivers License, Missouri ID, US Passport, Foreign Passport, Military ID, Certified Copy of US Birth Certificate plus US government issued Photo ID or Government ID Card with government ID number.

NO BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED.

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What about the Additional $10 Fee to get a CERTIFIED COPY of the Marriage License? Do you Need it?

Yes, if you are in the MILITARY (generally they give this certified copy for FREE to Military) and YES if you intend to use your Marriage License to get a Passport to show your new marital status and are taking your spouse's last name.

You do NOT need to pay this $10 fee for a Certified Copy just to get your last name changed with Social Security. They will accept your ORIGINAL marriage license (the one you bring to us to sign). Social Security Information on name change after marriage HERE.

If either party is divorced or widowed, applicant must provide the month/year

the last marriage ended. A 30 day waiting period is required once a divorce is finalized for an applicant to re-marry. (Jackson County Recorder of Deeds does not enforce this rule and will permit you to purchase a marriage license immediately.)

Once marriage license is issued it is only good for 30 DAYS. Marriage MUST take place within that 30 day time period or license must be returned!  

So HURRY UP! Get your license and either walk in or make your appointment with us! Being married is AWESOME!

PRISON, MILITARY, HOSPITAL & ABSENTEE MARRIAGES:

If you can't appear together at the courthouse to purchase your marriage license you will need to fill out the form HERE. It will need to be notarized and also there is a section for the hospital, prison, military, etc. to fill out approving the marriage. Once the absentee party has completed their part, their intended spouse needs to take that form  and finish filling it out AT the Recorder of Deeds (offices listed below). The marriage license will then be issued while they are there.

BOTH parties MUST appear together at time of marriage. Proxy marriages are NOT legal in Missouri.

GREEN CARD AFTER MARRIAGE: 

Couple will appear together at the Recorder of Deeds to purchase their marriage license providing proof of ID. Once we perform your marriage the marriage license will be filed with the courthouse. They will issue a CERTIFIED copy of it. Take that Certified marriage license to the immigration office. Social security security number and the name change information can be found HERE. 

A WORD ABOUT WITNESSES 

Missouri State Law Dictates that 2 witnesses must sign the marriage license in order for it to be valid. There is no stipulation of age requirement - CHILDREN may be witnesses. We provide free witnesses if you need them.

RETURNING THE LICENSE 

Clay County, and most other counties, mandate that only the wedding officiant may return the marriage license. We will file your license promptly and the counties are very prudent about returning Marriage License to the couple quickly. The ONLY exception they will make for a couple to bring their license in for immediate recording is for MILITARY couples. Please understand when we file for you that we are abiding by State law. JACKSON COUNTY, on the other hand, DOES allow couples to file their own marriage licenses. The advantage in doing so is to get the license back immediately so name changes can be applied for immediately.