Retrieve Free Missouri Marriage Records on Anyone

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Free Missouri Marriage Record Search

Access anyone's marital information in Missouri, free of charge.

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Find free Missouri marriage records in minutes by tapping into official state and county search tools and repositories.

The state’s broad Sunshine Law permits citizens to request government records – including marriage licenses – for any purpose. Understanding which agencies distribute this information can greatly expedite a search for marriage records.

Read on to gain insight into free public records access in Missouri and how to obtain marriage statements or certificates for official and personal use.

Can Anybody Gain Access to Marriage Records & Certificates in Missouri?

Citizens searching for marriage records enjoy open access to this data thanks to Missouri’s Sunshine Law.¹

This broad law gives the public the opportunity to search government records, which include marriage licenses. In order to obtain this information, individuals need to contact the custodian of records for the specific data they’re seeking.

Then, the custodian of records needs to provide the requested information—or explain why there’s a delay—within 3 business days. This open records law makes securing marriage certificates convenient for individuals looking to learn more about who is married in Missouri.

There are plenty of reasons why individuals might want to access marriage records. Often, couples who have recently exchanged vows want a copy of their marriage license to confirm their union. Having a certified copy of this license on hand proves useful when opening a joint bank account, applying for a loan, securing a passport, or getting insurance.

Individuals researching their genealogy can tap into marriage records to complete their family tree.

In other situations, learning if someone is married can simply provide more information about the individual. Perhaps someone wants to know if they’re new partner has a marital history. Accessing public marriage records is an effective way to obtain this information.

Records custodians in Missouri exist at the state and local levels, so individuals have several ways to find the information they’re seeking. While the Sunshine Law should make a records search successful, some individuals may opt to work with a third-party provider to secure needed information.

Though many third-party records providers exist, it’s important to note that unless that provider is endorsed by the state or county, the information obtained can’t be used for official purposes.

Another way to learn more about Missouri marriages is through U.S. Census Bureau data. The American Community Survey, published annually, provides details about Missouri citizens, including marriage rates.²

The 2022 data revealed that 48.6% of Missouri residents ages 15 and up are married, and 11.9% are divorced. Another 6.2% are widowed, and 1.5% are separated. Finally, 31.8% of Missourians have never been married.

While this data doesn’t confirm a specific union in the state, it offers some interesting insight into marriage trends in Missouri.

How To Search Missouri Marriage Records & Licenses for Free

Find marriage records through state and local custodians of this information. According to the State’s Bureau of Vital Records, two types of marriage documentation are available in Missouri.

The first is a certified statement relating to marriage, which is issued at the state level. This document lists the couples’ names, the wedding date, and the county that’s responsible for the record. The Bureau of Vital Records issues this statement, and it can be helpful for genealogical research.

Additionally, individuals who aren’t sure of where a Missouri couple married can request this statement to point them to the county where the record is held. However, this statement isn’t considered an official record and, instead, is simply informational. The state began recording marriage certificates in 1948, so the Bureau of Vital Records can confirm unions on or after that date.

The other type of record is a certified marriage certificate, which is an official document of the union. Individuals will want this certificate for any official purposes, and they can be obtained through each Missouri county. Here, we’ll detail how to secure a certified statement relating to marriage at the state level before explaining how to go through county agencies for an official record.

The Bureau of Vital Records issues a certified statement relating to marriage by mail, in person, and over the phone or online through VitalChek, a third-party provider. To request this statement by mail, citizens should complete the Application for a Missouri Vital Record.³

After completing the required sections, the form needs to be notarized.

The completed and notarized form can be mailed to the below address with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and the $15 fee, payable by check or money order.⁴

Citizens can stop by the bureau’s offices in Jefferson City to submit the application linked above in person. Complete the marriage statement and applicant sections on the application—no notary is needed for in-person requests. These records cost $15 per copy, which citizens can pay when they visit the office.

Visiting the Bureau of Vital Records requires an appointment made between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Individuals should call the bureau in advance to schedule their appointment.⁵

Bureau of Vital Records
Missouri Department of Health & Human Services
930 Wildwood Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Phone: (573)-751-6387
Email: VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov

The Bureau of Vital Records also partners with VitalChek, a third-party provider, to offer online and phone requests for marriage statements. Individuals can call +1-877-817-7363 or order their marriage statements online.

Select marriage certificates, then choose Missouri, and the city where the couple wed. Enter the wedding date, and the reason for requesting the record. A statement of marriage through VitalChek costs $15 plus a $13 processing fee.

While the Bureau of Vital Records can confirm a marriage, it can’t provide an official license. Read on to learn more about obtaining a marriage certificate through Missouri counties and then researching historical unions through archived indexes.

Sourcing Marriage Records via Counties in Missouri

County recorder of deeds offices in Missouri serve as the official records custodians for marriage licenses.

Couples who need to obtain a certified copy of their marriage license or any record seekers who need official proof of a union should go through the county where the wedding took place. Here, we’ll describe how to secure marriage records in Missouri’s three largest counties.

Check out this list of Missouri County recorder of deeds offices to find the contact information for every agency in the state.⁶

St. Louis County: The largest in the state, St. Louis County serves as our first example and individuals researching a union there should contact the recorder of deeds office. The office has marriage records from 1877 to present available. Citizens can request a marriage certificate by mail, in person, or online.

For mailed or in-person requests in St. Louis County, individuals should complete the Marriage License Copy Order Form.⁷ The form requests both parties’ names, the type of record requested, and the shipping address.

Individuals can request certified marriage licenses or applications for $9 each or a photocopy of the record for $2 per copy. Citizens can mail their completed form, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a local check or money order made payable to the Recorder of Deeds, to the below address.

Individuals can also bring their completed form and payment to the Recorder of Deeds office in Clayton. The Recorder of Deeds office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.⁸

To make an online request, citizens can go through St. Louis County’s third-party provider. Visit the official records online order form, choosing a certified or uncertified marriage license to begin.

Enter the couple’s names, the city and county of marriage, the wedding date, the reason for the request, and the number of copies requested. After entering shipping information for the record, citizens can pay online. These records are subject to a $10 service fee, plus $9 per certified copy of $2 per uncertified copy.

St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
Attn: Marriage License
41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105

Phone: (314)-615-7100
Email: marriage@stlouiscountymo.gov

Jackson County: This county includes part of Kansas City and offers several ways for citizens to secure marriage records. First, individuals can learn more about county unions from the comfort of home using an online marriage search offered by the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds.⁹

Enter all information available about the marriage, including one or both names, the date or date range, and the license number. All matching licenses will appear. After finding the correct marriage license, click view to see the certificate.

Check out these FAQs for using Jackson County’s online search tool.

Through this search, individuals can also order a certified copy of the record. Choose the checkbox and enter shipping information. Then, citizens can check out through the site, paying the $10 record fee.

Individuals can also request a certified copy of a marriage record by mail or in person. There is no form to complete for either type of request.

To process a mail-in request, citizens should provide the names of both parties listed on the certificate, the marriage date or date range, license number (if known), and a contact phone number. They should mail this information, along with a $10 check per copy payable to the Recorder of Deeds Department, to the below address.

For in-person requests, citizens should visit the Recorder of Deeds office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Individuals need to provide both couples’ names, the date or year of the union, and the marriage license number if available. Each copy of the record costs $10, payable at the time of the request.

Recorder of Deeds Department
Historic Truman Courthouse
112 West Lexington, Suite 30
Independence, MO 64050

Phone: (816)-881-4483
Email: records@jacksongov.org

St. Charles County: The St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds office only accepts in-person requests for marriage certificates. So, individuals seeking a record should visit the office during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Certified copies cost $10.

The county also partners with Ancestry, a third-party provider, to make marriage records searchable online. Visit the Vitals Search and enter either party’s name to pull up a marriage record.¹⁰ Marriages from 1947 to present are available through this online search.

St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds
201 North 2nd Street, Ste. 338
Saint Charles, MO 63301

Phone: 636.949.7505

Greene County: Interested parties can refer to the streamlined Greene County marriage search steps for clear assistance on finding unions within this county.

Citizens who search for marriage records through a Missouri city will be redirected to the county recorder of deeds office, the official custodian for such public information. However, people conducting a genealogy search may find historical archives to be useful, and more detail on these marriage indexes follows.

How To View the Missouri Marriage Index for Family Lineage & Genealogy Research

The Missouri State Archives maintains historical records throughout the state, making it a helpful resource in a search for marriage licenses.

The most efficient way to explore the archives is through its online search tool. Citizens can access the County & Municipal Records Database to see if the marriage record they’re looking for is on file.¹¹ Search by county name and specify marriages as the record type. Narrow search results further by a year or range of years.

The database will display all results that match the search parameters, listing the microfilm number and the contents.

Individuals can then click the image link to view scanned copies of marriage records.

Another way to search for historical marriage information through the Missouri State Archives is by submitting a research request. Individuals must complete the Archives Request Form, detailing the exact record they’re seeking.¹²

The State Archives staff will search up to a 10-year time frame for marriage records. Citizens can submit up to three requests at a time.

Finally, the Missouri State Archives welcomes visitors to its research room in Jefferson City by appointment only. Individuals can call or email the office using the contact information listed below to schedule their appointment. Generally, the Archives are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.¹³

Additionally, during the winter, the State Archives stays open on the second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the third Thursday of the month until 7 p.m. In the summer, visitors can stop by during regular business hours as well as the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the third Thursday of the month until 7 p.m.

Missouri State Archives
600 West Main St.
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: 573-751-3280
Email: archref@sos.mo.gov

When exploring the State Archives online or in person, keep in mind that common law marriage is not legal in Missouri, so any records of these unions will not be available.

Beyond the State Archives, citizens have other resources to tap into to learn more about their family history. The National Archives provides a helpful guide on starting genealogical research.¹⁴ Individuals may also want to check out these resources for more information on finding marriage records:

• Local newspaper archives that may feature marriage announcements
• Church records that may document any unions taking place at the institution
• Local libraries and genealogical societies that may house historical archives

How To Apply for & Submit a Missouri Marriage License

In Missouri, the county recorder of deeds offices are responsible for issuing marriage licenses. Both applicants must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a license without parental consent. While specific guidelines may vary by county, here’s how to apply for a marriage license in Missouri.

Couples will have to complete a marriage license application—either online or in person depending on the county. Some counties require couples to appear in person to show a photo ID and provide other information to secure the license.

Others, including St. Louis County, offer the process exclusively online or by virtual appointment.¹⁵ After completing the application process, couples can expect to pay a fee, which is typically around $50.

A Missouri marriage license is valid for 30 days and can be used in any county. The officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the recorder of deeds office within 15 days of the wedding or union is deemed invalid. Couples will then receive a certified copy of their marriage license by mail after the office has recorded it.

With the help of this resource, citizens can find Missouri marriage records and reveal more about who is married in the state; for additional public information on births, deaths, warrants, crimes, inmates, and more, you can utilize the Missouri free public record lookup tutorial.