Kansas City Marriage License

Kansas City marriage license records are filed through the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds, which runs two office locations in the metro area. If you plan to get married in Kansas City or need to look up an old marriage license, this is your starting point. The Kansas City office sits in the downtown courthouse, and the second office is in Independence. Both handle new marriage license applications and record searches. You can also start your Kansas City marriage license application online before visiting in person, which saves time at the counter. Kansas City marriage records go back to 1826, so genealogy searches are possible too.

Where Kansas City Files Marriage Licenses

Kansas City sits in Jackson County, and the county Recorder of Deeds handles all marriage license work. Diana Smith serves as Director of Records. The main Kansas City office is at 415 E 12th Street, Room 104. You can call that location at (816) 881-3191. There is also an office in Independence at 112 W. Lexington Avenue. That phone number is (816) 881-4483. Both offices take walk-in applications.

Kansas City couples get a nice perk with their marriage license office. The office stays open late on Wednesdays until 6:30 PM. That helps Kansas City residents who work a normal day shift and can't get away during regular hours to file a marriage license application. The Jackson County Recorder website has an online marriage application you can fill out ahead of time. Both people still need to show up with valid photo ID and Social Security info for the Kansas City marriage license application. The marriage license fee is $50 and you pay when you apply. Email records@jacksongov.org if you have questions about Kansas City marriage license services.

Kansas City Marriage License Application

Both partners must visit the Recorder's office in person to get a Kansas City marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number. Missouri law under RSMo 451.040 sets a three-day wait between applying and picking up your marriage license. A judge can waive that marriage license wait if needed. No blood test is required for a Kansas City marriage license or anywhere in Missouri.

You must be 18 or older to apply on your own. Under RSMo 451.090, anyone aged 15 to 17 needs a parent or guardian to come along and sign. The Kansas City marriage license is good for 30 days after you pick it up. Your marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Missouri during that time. Whoever performs the Kansas City marriage ceremony must sign the marriage license and send it back to the Jackson County Recorder. Once the marriage license is returned, the marriage gets recorded.

The online Kansas City marriage license application at the Jackson County website lets you fill out the form at home. This cuts down your time at the office. You still need to go in person with your partner, but the paperwork is mostly done.

Search Kansas City Marriage Records

Jackson County has marriage license records going back to 1826. That is a long time. You can search for a Kansas City marriage license on the county website by name or date. If the marriage license record you need is not online, call either Kansas City office or stop by in person to ask for a marriage record search.

The Missouri State Archives keeps a statewide marriage database covering 1805 to 2002. This includes Kansas City and all of Jackson County. The archive has several Jackson County marriage indexes from 1827 through 1885. These work well for genealogy and older record lookups. You can reach the Archives at (573) 751-3280 or email archref@sos.mo.gov for research help.

For a certified marriage license copy, contact the Jackson County Recorder's office serving Kansas City. The state Bureau of Vital Records at health.mo.gov can also issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. Keep in mind, that marriage document only has names, date, and county. It is not a full certified copy of the original Kansas City marriage license. State marriage records start from July 1, 1948. For anything older, you need the Kansas City county office.

Note: Kansas City marriage license fees and office hours may change, so call ahead before your visit.

Kansas City Marriage Ceremonies

Under RSMo 451.100, several types of people can perform a marriage in Kansas City. Clergy in good standing with a Missouri church or synagogue may officiate. Judges, including municipal judges, can perform ceremonies at no cost. Religious organizations can also solemnize marriages when one partner is a member.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the Kansas City marriage license and return it to the Recorder within 15 days. Under RSMo 451.120, this step makes the marriage official on record. If the Kansas City marriage license does not get returned, there could be problems proving the marriage later on.

Missouri Marriage License Resources

The Missouri Recorders Association has a directory of every county Recorder in the state. That is useful if your partner lives in a different county or you want to compare fees. The Missouri Governor's Portal has a basic overview of marriage license rules across Missouri.

If you need a Kansas City marriage license for use in another country, get a certified marriage license copy and then request an apostille from the Missouri Secretary of State. You can order through VitalChek and select the apostille option. Processing takes about 5 to 7 business days for the record, then extra time for authentication.

Copies of vital records in Missouri are restricted under RSMo 193.255. Only people with direct interest, such as family members or legal representatives, can get certified marriage license copies. This applies to Kansas City marriage license records as well. Keep that in mind when requesting certified marriage license copies in Kansas City.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Kansas City. Some share the same Jackson County Recorder's office for marriage license services.