Marriage license · Missouri
How to Get a Marriage License in Missouri
Everything Missouri couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $50 |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days (often waived) |
| License valid for | 30 days |
| Minimum age | 18 (16 with consent) |
| ID required | Photo ID + Social Security number |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any County Recorder |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Missouri, you apply at any county recorder.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + social security number for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most Missouri offices charge $50 per license.
- Wait the required 3 days (often waived). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 30 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Missouri?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Missouri license is good for 30 days and can't be used until 3 days (often waived) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any county recorder. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Missouri. |
| Earliest you can apply | 30 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 3 days (often waived) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 3 days (often waived) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Missouri
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Missouri couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $50 |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Missouri
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Missouri driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Missouri couples make
- Applying too early. A Missouri license expires after 30 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 3 days (often waived) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Missouri before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Missouri
Both must appear in person to apply.
Wedding costs in Missouri
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Missouri metros:
- Average wedding cost in St. Louis — $29,000 average, $130 per guest
- Average wedding cost in Kansas City — $28,000 average, $125 per guest
Common questions specific to Missouri
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Missouri?
- In Missouri the marriage license fee is $50. Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Missouri?
- Yes — Missouri requires a 3 days (often waived) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Missouri marriage license valid?
- A Missouri marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Missouri?
- Yes — many Missouri counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Missouri?
- Yes — Missouri requires 2 witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Missouri?
- No — Missouri does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Missouri?
- Yes. Missouri issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any county recorder and allow for the 3 days (often waived) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Missouri it costs $50 and is valid for 30 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Missouri?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Missouri DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states