Marriage License Requirements
Bride and Groom
· Must
appear together, in person, to complete the application, Monday-Friday 8AM to
4PM (except holidays). The license may be
issued at the time of application.
· Be 18
years of age or over.
· Present a
valid government issued picture ID.
· Bring
payment of $46.00 (cash or money order, exact amount) at the time of
application.
NO REFUNDS
· Will be
asked to affirm all information is true and correct to the best of your
knowledge on the application and that you are free to
marry under the laws of the state of Missouri. Your signature on the application
is considered sworn affirmation.
· Have the
license given to the person performing the ceremony, before the wedding.
· Have a
ceremony performed within 30 days from the date of issuance in the State of
Missouri. If the wedding date is more than 30
days
from the application date, the couple must wait to pick up the license.
· Not be
related to each other through and including first cousins.
· Provide,
if previously married, the date their last marriage dissolved.
Bride and Groom 15 through 17 years of age, the custodial
parent or legal guardian must also come to give consent on the application. If
the parents are divorced, the custodial parent must present the divorce decree
showing proof of custody and a valid government issued picture ID. Under-age
applicants must bring a certified copy of birth certificate.
NOTE: Any applicant under 15 years of age must bring an
order from a circuit or associate circuit judge of the county in which the
license is applied.
Persons solemnizing marriages
Section 451.100 RSMo. Marriages may be solemnized by any
clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or
synagogue in this state. Marriages may also be solemnized, without compensation,
by any judge, including a municipal judge. Marriages may also be
solemnized by a religious society, religious institution, or religious
organization of this state, according to the regulations and customs of the
society, institution or organization, when either party to the marriage to be
solemnized is a member of such society, institution or organization.
Note: It is a misdemeanor for anyone to perform a marriage
ceremony if a license is not presented prior to the ceremony (451.120 RSMo.) The
marriage is invalid if the ceremony takes place before the license is picked up.
Return and Record of Marriage
· The
person performing the ceremony is required by law to return the completed
license to the Reynolds County Recorder of Deeds
office within 15 days of the ceremony.
· The
Recorder’s office then provides the state with the marriage information, retains
a copy for preservation and permanent record.
· The
original marriage license is mailed to the couple at the address provided.
· The
License used or not used, must be returned to our office.