St. Joseph Marriage License

St. Joseph marriage license records are managed by the Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds. As the county seat of Buchanan County, St. Joseph is home to the Recorder's office where couples apply for marriage licenses and search for existing records. The office has records going back to 1839, making it useful for both new applications and historical lookups. Whether you need to get a marriage license in St. Joseph or find an old one, the Recorder's office on Jules Street handles it. This page covers fees, hours, what to bring, and how to search St. Joseph marriage license records.

Where St. Joseph Files Marriage Licenses

St. Joseph sits in Buchanan County. The Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds handles all marriage license applications and records for the city. Rebecca Dunlap serves as Recorder. The office is at 411 Jules Street, Room 103, St. Joseph, MO 64501. Call (816) 271-1437 or (816) 271-1596. The fax number is (816) 271-1582. You can email bdunlap@co.buchanan.mo.us with questions.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Both people must come in together to apply. Walk-ins are accepted during business hours. The Buchanan County marriage license page has detailed requirements and forms. The county also has some online record search capability through the public record search portal.

St. Joseph Marriage License Application

Both partners go to the Buchanan County Recorder's office in St. Joseph together for the marriage license. Bring a valid photo ID. Know your Social Security number for the marriage license application. The St. Joseph marriage license fee is $51 and it is non-refundable. Under RSMo 451.040, Missouri requires a three-day wait between applying and getting the license. A judge can waive this marriage license wait for good cause. No blood test is needed for a St. Joseph marriage license or anywhere in Missouri.

You must be 18 to apply on your own. Under RSMo 451.090, applicants aged 15 to 17 need parental consent. The St. Joseph marriage license is valid for 30 days once issued. Your marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Missouri. The marriage license issued in Buchanan County works the same as any other Missouri marriage license.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Buchanan County Recorder per RSMo 451.120. Under RSMo 451.100, clergy, judges, and religious organizations can all perform the St. Joseph marriage ceremony.

Search St. Joseph Marriage Records

Buchanan County has marriage license records from 1839. The county was created on December 31, 1838, and marriage records started shortly after. You can search the Buchanan County public records portal for St. Joseph marriage license information. The office also uses the iRecord system for online access to some records.

Certified copies of a St. Joseph marriage license cost $9. You can get them at the office or request by mail at 411 Jules Street, Room 103, St. Joseph, MO 64501. Both in-person and mail services are available through the Buchanan County Records office.

The Missouri State Archives keeps Buchanan County marriage records in their statewide database from 1805 to 2002. Historical St. Joseph marriage license records from 1839 are preserved on microfilm. The state Bureau of Vital Records at health.mo.gov issues Certified Statements for $15, but those only include names, date, and county. State records start from July 1, 1948.

Note: St. Joseph marriage license fees are non-refundable, so make sure both people can attend the marriage license appointment before paying.

St. Joseph Marriage License Copies

Certified copies of a St. Joseph marriage license cost $9 from the Buchanan County Recorder. That is a reasonable fee compared to many other counties. You can get copies in person at 411 Jules Street, Room 103, or by mail. Both options work. Include the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage when requesting by mail. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Marriage-related name changes are the most common reason St. Joseph residents need a certified marriage license copy. The DMV, Social Security Administration, and passport office all ask for one. Insurance companies sometimes need proof of marriage for benefits enrollment too. If you got married in St. Joseph and changed your name, a certified copy of your St. Joseph marriage license from Buchanan County is the document you need. Order a few extra copies at the time of pickup. It saves a trip later.

The Buchanan County Records website has additional information about record requests and office services for St. Joseph residents.

Missouri Marriage Resources

The Missouri Recorders Association lists every county Recorder in the state. The Missouri Governor's Portal covers statewide marriage license rules. For apostille requests on a St. Joseph marriage license, order through VitalChek and choose the authentication option.

Under RSMo 193.255, only those with direct interest can get certified copies of marriage records. That includes the couple, close family, guardians, or authorized representatives. This law protects St. Joseph marriage license records from misuse. Duplicating a certified copy is prohibited under RSMo 193.245. Only records from an official vital records office should be used for legal purposes.

Common law marriages are not recognized in Missouri. A marriage license from the Buchanan County Recorder is required for a valid marriage in St. Joseph. This makes sure every St. Joseph marriage is properly documented and the marriage license is on file. You do not need to be a Missouri resident to get a St. Joseph marriage license. Out-of-state couples can apply at the Buchanan County office as long as both people appear in person.

Nearby Cities

These Missouri cities are closest to St. Joseph and have marriage license pages on this site.