Missouri Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Recorder of Deeds
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Documentation requirements vary by county. Ministers are legally authorized to solemnize marriages in Missouri.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2
The couple must declare formal intent to marry before the minister and at least two witnesses. The minister’s pronouncement finalizes the marriage.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $45+ (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Photo ID and Social Security Number
- Proof of Divorce: Not Required
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must apply in person at a county clerk or recorder of deeds, providing social security numbers and valid photo ID. Licenses are valid statewide.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 15 Days
Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days. The officiant must ensure the license and certificate are signed by the couple, witnesses, and themselves, and return the documents within 15 days.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry or 16–17 with guardian consent. Minors cannot marry adults over 21. Same-sex marriages are legally recognized, and marriages closer than second cousins are prohibited.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
The officiant must ensure the marriage certificate is signed by the couple, witnesses, and themselves. The completed documents must then be returned to the issuing recorder of deeds within 15 days of the ceremony.