What Are Missouri Marriage Records?

Missouri marriage records are official documents that certify marriages solemnized in the state. The collection of marriage records began at the local government bodies in the early 1800s, with statewide registration starting in 1948.

Generally, these records include the couple's full names, the marriage date, the license issuance date, and other relevant details pertaining to the couple and their union. The most common types of marriage records in Missouri are marriage statements, marriage licenses, and marriage certificates.

A marriage license is an official permit granted to couples before marriage. This document authorizes them to marry, with applicants required to meet the state's eligibility criteria. According to Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMO) Section 451.020, both parties must be of legal age to marry.

A marriage certificate is an official record confirming that a couple is legally married. Certified copies of marriage certificates are often needed for transactions where proof of marriage is required.

Copies of these records are commonly used when changing names on legal identification or providing verification of marital status for insurance claims, estate matters, or tax filings.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

In Missouri, vital records maintained by state and local custodians, such as marriage certificates, are not considered public records under Title 19, Chapter 10, Section 10 of the Missouri Code of State Regulations (CSR).

Individuals can only access or copy information from a marriage record if they are entitled to it. Specifically, RSMO Section 193.255.1 states that marriage records may only be disclosed to individuals or entities with a direct and tangible interest in the record.

The following are entitled or authorized to access marriage certificates in Missouri:

• The registrant (the person named on the marriage certificate)
• Members of the registrant's immediate family, including in-laws but not cousins
• Guardian of the registrant
• Authorized representatives of the registrant, such as physicians or attorneys
• Other individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the marriage record for protecting personal or property rights

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Missouri?

Individuals can request marriage records from the Bureau of Vital Records (BVR) under the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). However, the BVR only issues certified copies of statements of marriage, not marriage certificates.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are available only through the county recorder of feeds offices. The process may vary by county, but typically, requestors must complete a designated form, provide the necessary information, and pay the applicable fees.

In some cases, individuals may also need to submit additional documents, such as a notarized statement from the record owner authorizing them to receive the record.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

In Missouri, individuals can obtain two types of marriage certificates: certified and uncertified. A certified copy, issued by the county recorder of deeds, is a legal equivalent of the original marriage certificate and is printed on security paper.

An uncertified copy, which holds no legal standing, is typically kept as a personal record. For example, the officiant may provide the couple with an uncertified marriage certificate to include in their wedding album as a keepsake, but it cannot be used for legal purposes or official transactions.

Here's how one can get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Missouri:

Online and By Phone

Many county recorder of deeds offices in Missouri offer online systems for requesting certified copies of marriage certificates. These platforms provide a secure, efficient, and convenient way to obtain records.

For example, the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Office features the Search Marriage Index tool, which allows individuals to search records using the spouse's name or the date of marriage. However, some counties may charge subscription or processing fees for online access.

Certified copies can also be requested by phone. Individuals must contact the appropriate county recorder of deeds office and provide necessary record details along with credit card information for payment.

Additional charges, such as postage, transaction, or convenience fees, may apply. Once processed, the requested copy will be mailed to the requestor.

By Mail

To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate by mail, individuals should visit the official website of the county recorder of deeds office where the original marriage license was obtained.

If an office provides a request form, such as the Boone County Recorder of Deeds Office's"Marriage Copy Request Form", requestors should download and print it. If no specific form is available, a written request must be prepared instead.

Requestors need to include essential pieces of information in the request, such as:

• Names of both spouses used at the time of the marriage license application
• Date of the marriage
• Current mailing address
• Telephone number

The completed form or written request, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to the county recorder of deeds, should be sent to the office address. Fees for certified copies vary by county but typically range from $9 to $12 per copy.

In-Person

Certified copies of marriage certificates can also be obtained by visiting the county recorder of deeds office in person. Individuals must submit the completed request or application form and may be required to present a valid identification document, such as:

• Driver's license
• State-issued ID
• U.S. passport
• Work ID

If a requestor does not have a valid photo ID, two alternative identification documents must be provided. These documents must show the requestor's name, date of birth, document issuance date, and the name of the issuing company or institution.

Moreover, additional documentation proving their tangible interest in the certificate may be required depending on the requestor's relationship with the individual named in the record.

Fees for in-person requests can be paid using cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

Certified copies of marriage licenses are available at the county recorder of deeds offices where the couples originally applied for the license.

Individuals who are entitled to access these records or have a direct and tangible interest can request copies online, by phone, by mail, or in person. A marriage license copy fee is $9, with additional charges for online requests.

Suppose someone cannot locate their marriage license and does not remember the county where it was purchased. In that case, they can request a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage from the BVR (Bureau of Vital Records). They must complete the "Application for Missouri Vital Record - Marriage/Divorce/Single Status" form.

The statement will provide basic information about the marriage, including the county that issued the original marriage license. Once they have this document, they can then get a certified copy of the marriage license from the appropriate county recorder of deeds office.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Individuals have multiple ways to access marriage records in Missouri, aside from using the online portals and apps provided by the county recorder of deeds offices. One option is the "County and Municipal Records Database" of the Missouri State Archives (MSA), which contains listings of the digitized county and municipal marriage records.

For those conducting genealogical or historical research, they can access useful marriage information by completing the "Online Research Request" form on the MSA website.

Requestors must provide the spouse's name, marriage date, and county. It may take up to eight weeks to receive a response, as postal mail requests are given priority.

Additionally, third-party services like RecordsFinder provide instant access to marriage records compiled from public and private repositories. These platforms offer essential details that may help individuals locate other related marriage records.

While copies from these data providers are not certified, they are valuable for verifying the existence of marriages or examining relationships across generations.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage record is a sealed document related to a marriage, where access is restricted to the couple involved unless a court order permits otherwise.

In Missouri, couples cannot legally enter into a confidential marriage. However, various legal provisions are in place to ensure the integrity of marriage records while safeguarding the privacy and identity of the individuals named in the records.

Marriage records in Missouri are confidential and can only be accessed by individuals or entities authorized under the law.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

In Missouri, partners planning to marry must obtain a marriage license from any county recorder of deeds office. They can expedite the process by completing the online marriage application form, though it must be submitted no more than 30 days before the ceremony. Both parties must still visit the office in person to sign the application.

The marriage license fee is $51, though additional fees may apply based on the office and payment method. Both individuals must present valid identification, proof of age, and their full Social Security Numbers. The legal minimum age for marriage is 18.

Under RSMO Section 451.090, a marriage license cannot be issued if one party is 21 or older and the other is under 18. Applicants aged 16 or 17 may receive a license with parental or legal guardian consent, provided the consent is given in person with proper identification.

The individuals must not be related by blood. Additionally, if either applicant has been married previously, they must provide the month and year their last marriage ended.

Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 30 days. As of August 28, 2007, Missouri no longer requires a waiting period or blood tests.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Errors can appear on marriage certificates in Missouri, such as entering a wrong name that is often associated with the opposite sex or a spouse's misspelled last name.

To correct these mistakes, individuals should contact the county recorder of deeds office where the certificate was issued to confirm the exact procedures and requirements.

Typically, individuals must file an affidavit for correction or amendment with the county recorder of deeds office and provide sufficient documentary evidence to support the requested change. The required documents will depend on the number of items on the record that need correction.

A court order is required for substantial errors or major discrepancies, such as completely changing or deleting a registrant or parent's name. The court order must explicitly indicate that the county recorder of deeds office is instructed to correct the specific errors.

Are Marriage Records Under the Missouri Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

The Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), established by the Missouri Secretary of State (SOS), aims to protect victims of crimes such as stalking, rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking. This program allows participants who have relocated or plan to relocate to use a substitute address on new records created by government agencies.

In addition, the program includes a mail-forwarding service. Through this service, the SOS office receives first-class, legal, or certified mail sent to the substitute address and forwards it to the participant's confidential, new home address.

When obtaining a marriage license or certificate, participants in the ACP are permitted to use the designated substitute address on the new record rather than their actual home address.

Yet, the program does not allow individuals to remove or replace the address already recorded in their existing marriage records. As a result, the original address remains accessible through those prior records.

Missouri Marriage Statistics and Trends

The marriage rate in Missouri has been declining, which follows a broader national trend. In the U.S., just 53% of adults aged 18 and older are married, a decline from 58% in 1995.

However, Missouri shows a distinct trend with a lower percentage of same-sex marriages compared to other states. There are about 4 to 5 same-sex marriages for every 1,000 households in the state. This lower rate can be traced to Missouri's complicated history with same-sex marriage.

In 2004, following Massachusetts' legalization of same-sex marriage, Missouri voters passed a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman, thereby banning same-sex unions.

While the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, further work is needed to ensure full legal and social acceptance of same-sex marriages in Missouri.

The table below shows recent marriage data for Missouri:

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