Missouri Marriage Records

In July 1948, Missouri State mandated counties to begin maintaining records of marriages within their respective jurisdiction. Before this, most counties kept records of marriages conducted within their respective jurisdictions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Missouri has a marriage rate of 5.5 marriages per 1,000 residents. The state's rate is 11% lower than the national average, which stands at 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Missouri marriage records are documents that officially prove the legal union of two individuals in the state. These records are crucial for legal purposes, genealogical research, and personal documentation. In Missouri, marriage records consist of marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

• Marriage License: A marriage license is a legal document obtained before the wedding ceremony from the Recorder of Deeds Office, granting a couple permission to get married. Marriage licenses, which are essential for a valid marriage, usually include information on the couple, such as their full names, dates of birth, birth, home addresses, license numbers, issuance date, and expiry date.
• Marriage Certificates: Marriage certificates serve as the official proof that the marriage has taken place. After the wedding, the marriage license, signed by a witness and officiant, is returned to the Recorder of Deeds Office, which files and records it. Upon recording, a certified copy of the marriage certificate is issued to the couple. Marriage certificates contain the couple's full names, the date and location of the marriage, the name of the officiant and witnesses, and the official seal of the issuing officer. Marriage certificates are important for personal and legal purposes, such as name changes or inheritance claims.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Missouri?

The Recorder of Deeds in each county maintains the original marriage licenses and marriage certificates. You can obtain certified copies of these documents directly from the county where the license was issued.

To order the record, visit the official website of the appropriate County Recorder of Deeds for instructions. Some counties provide options for requesting certified copies online, while others offer downloadable forms on their website to order the records. You may also pick up the application form in person at their office.

You may also request marriage records from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records. However, the office does not issue certified copies of marriage records. Instead, it provides a Marriage Statement. Available for marriages from July 1948 to the present, the marriage statement serves as a summary record, confirming a marriage exists. It contains information on the name of the couple, the marriage date, and the county where the marriage was recorded. You may order a marriage statement by completing the Application for Missouri Vital Records form.

All applications for marriage records must include the following information and requirements:

• The full names of both spouses
• The date of marriage
• A valid government-issued ID
• Self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Missouri?

Marriage records are considered public records in Missouri. However, while the state permits the public to view, inspect, or copy marriage records, certified copies of the marriage documents are not open to the general public.

Instead, most counties maintain searchable databases of marriage licenses, which the public may use to look up marriage records or obtain informational copies of the record. Nonetheless, certified copies of marriage records cannot be released to the public.

Per state law, certified copies of marriage certificates can only be released to individuals who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest, such as immediate family members or legal representatives.

How Much Do Missouri Marriage Records Cost?

Marriage certificates are accessible at the county level in Missouri. The fees for certified copies of marriage records vary by county. Expect to pay between $9.00 to $15 for a marriage certificate, with additional copies of the record typically costing around $2.

Depending on the county, processing time for mail requests for marriage certificates can take between 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing options vary per county. Some counties offer same-day service for in-person requests.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Missouri?

Marriage records are public records in Missouri. To this end, the state does not offer an option for you to make your marriage records confidential or for you to seal them from the public. Unlike some states that provide a process for confidential marriage licenses, Missouri law maintains that marriage licenses and marriage certificates are accessible to anyone. Therefore, the state does not provide a legal mechanism to make them confidential or sealed.

This means that once your marriage record is filed in Missouri, it remains part of the public record and is searchable through county offices, even though obtaining a certified copy is usually limited to eligible individuals.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Missouri Marriage Records?

Whether you intend to apply for a passport, process an immigration application, conduct genealogical research, or prepare for legal matters like divorce or name change, it is important to have an authenticated marriage record. Verifying the authenticity of your Missouri marriage records ensures that the information is accurate and that your marriage record is officially recognized.

You can authenticate your marriage record in Missouri at the County Recorder of Deeds Office where the marriage occurred. A verified marriage record in Missouri contains several features that prove its authenticity. Ideally, an authenticated marriage record includes signatures from authorized officials, a raised or printed seal from the missing authority, and unique serial numbers. Most counties also print verified marriage records on security paper with watermarks to prevent forgery.

Can I Find Missouri Marriage Records Online for Free?

Although state and county offices are the official sources for marriage records, they usually require record seekers to pay a fee to access the document. Many non-governmental sites have compiled a vast collection of resources of marriage records, both old and new, that you can access without cost.

FamilySearch.org offers access to millions of historical records, including Missouri marriage records dating back to the 19th century. You can search marriage records by name, date, and location. Ancestry.com is a public library that provides free access to a comprehensive database of historical marriage records around the United States, including Missouri.

Websites like PublicRecords.us gather data from various public sources and present them in one searchable database. While the completeness of the record may vary, this platform provides free access to basic marriage record information, including marriage record information from Missouri.

What Is Required to Get a Missouri Marriage License?

To obtain a marriage license in Missouri, you and your partner must meet certain requirements and provide the necessary documents, including:

• Both applicants must be present at the Recorder of Deeds office
• Both applicants must be 18 years old or older
• Parental consent if either party to the marriage is under 18
• Both applicants must present a valid government-issued photo ID
• Present a divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
• The marriage license fee

The marriage license fee differs per county. Many counties charge around $46 - $60 to obtain marriage licenses. There is no waiting period after the license is issued. You can get married once you get the license. The license is valid for 30 days. If you do not get married within 30 days, the license expires.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Missouri?

You can correct errors on your marriage records in Missouri. Missouri permits the following corrections on your marriage license or marriage certificate:

• Typographical or clerical errors: Misspellings or incorrect initials in the names, errors in recorded dates, mistakes in the place of marriage
• Incorrect Personal Information: Errors in parents' information and discrepancies, such as errors on the record file date
• Legal Name Change: Although not an error, you can amend your marriage record to reflect a legal name change

Generally, you may amend minor errors. Any amendment that would change the identity of the record, such as altering the identities of the individuals involved, would require a legal proceeding.

Amending Missouri Marriage License

You can correct any discrepancies you notice on your marriage license before getting married. The process involves contacting the County Recorder of Deeds Office that issued the license. While each county has its procedure to amend your marriage license, the Recorder of Deeds Office may require you to fill out specific forms, usually an Affidavit for Correction, to process the amendment request.

To substantiate the correction, you may need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, birth certificate, or Social Security Card that specifies the accurate details. There may be fees associated with amending the marriage license, depending on the county.

Amending Missouri Marriage Certificate

Marriage records are maintained at the county level by the Recorder of Deeds office where the marriage license was originally issued. Each county has its procedures and requirements for amending marriage certificates. Most counties require you to fill out an affidavit or application to request the correction. Usually, you would need to give a detailed description of the error and the correct information.

To substantiate the correction, submit proof of the correct information, such as a birth certificate or driver's license. The fees to amend errors on your marriage certificate vary. Expect to pay up to $15 to correct and obtain certified copies of the corrected marriage certificate.