Getting Married in Missouri? Don't Forget This One Very Important Piece of Paper

59 minutes ago
4 min read

Wedding rings rest on a Missouri marriage certificate surrounded by pink roses and greenery, creating a soft romantic mood.

Last weekend, one of our couples arrived at Arcadia Academy excited, dressed, surrounded by family, and they said, "I do" in the beautiful St. Joseph's Chapel.

And then we asked for their marriage license. Cue the crickets.

Turns out they had absolutely no idea they needed to obtain one before the wedding day! Fortunately, we were able to work through the situation, but it inspired this blog because if you're getting married in Missouri, there is one legal step you cannot skip: obtaining your marriage license.

The flowers are optional. The signature cocktail is optional. The marriage license? Not so much LOL.

What Is a Marriage License?

A marriage license is the legal document that authorizes you to get married. Without it, your officiant cannot legally perform your marriage ceremony. In fact, Missouri law requires a valid marriage license to be presented before the ceremony takes place.

Think of it as your official permission slip to become newlyweds.

Where Do You Get a Marriage License in Missouri?

Empty church nave with red carpet, wooden pews, pale blue vaulted ceiling, crucifix at altar, and soft hanging lights.

You'll need to visit a Recorder of Deeds or County Recorder's office in Missouri. The good news is that it does not have to be in the county where you're getting married.

Getting married at Arcadia Academy in Iron County?

You can obtain your license in Iron County, St. Francois County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, or anywhere else in Missouri. The license is valid statewide.

How Far In Advance Should You Get It?

This is where many couples get confused.

Missouri no longer has a waiting period, which means you can receive your license the same day you apply. However, the license is only valid for 30 days after it is issued. If you get it too early, it expires and you'll have to start over.

Our recommendation? Plan to obtain your marriage license about two to four weeks before your wedding date. That gives you plenty of time without risking expiration.

What Do You Need to Bring?

Requirements can vary slightly by county, but generally you'll need:

A valid government-issued photo ID
Basic personal information
Information about any previous marriages, including the date the marriage ended
Payment for the license fee
Check with your county to make sure they don't have other requirements!

Missouri does not require blood tests or a waiting period!

What Happens on the Wedding Day?

Bride and groom walk down a red-carpet aisle in a bright church as guests applaud, with a crucifix above the altar.

Bring the marriage license with you. Not a photo of it. Not a screenshot of it. Not a text message saying "I think it's on the kitchen counter." The actual license.

Your officiant will complete their portion, and Missouri requires two witnesses to sign the license as well. Great photo op!

After the ceremony, the completed license is returned to the appropriate office by you and becomes your official marriage record. Missouri requires the completed license to be returned within 15 days of the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get married the same day I get my license?

Yes. Missouri has no waiting period. If you wanted to, you could obtain your license and get married that same day.

Can I use my Missouri license in another state?

No. A Missouri marriage license must be used for a ceremony performed in Missouri.

What if my license expires?

You'll need to apply for a new one. Marriage licenses expire 30 days after issuance.

Can someone else pick it up for me?

Some counties allow a designated person to pick up the license. Check with the office where you apply for specific requirements.

A Friendly Reminder from Your Venue Coordinator

Trust me when I say that the week of your wedding is stressful enough. You don't want to be tracking down government offices, calling family members, and frantically Googling "Can I get married without a marriage license?" at 9:00 p.m. the night before your wedding.

Add "Get Marriage License" to your wedding checklist today. And your wedding coordinator will sleep better too LOL.

If you're getting married at Arcadia Academy and have questions about obtaining your Missouri marriage license, just ask. We've helped hundreds of couples navigate the process, and we'd much rather answer a quick question now than watch you sprint to the courthouse in wedding attire later!

PS. Please support locally owned and operated wedding venues! We are family owned and operated, trying to compete with corporate city giants who often times dont even live nearby the venue they own. Here at Arcadia Academy, you become like family. These are some other locally owned and operated wedding venues all around the US!