Chariton County Marriage License Records

Chariton County marriage license applications are processed at the Chariton County Recorder of Deeds office in Keytesville. This north-central Missouri county has a long history of maintaining marriage records stretching back to its founding in 1820. The Recorder handles new applications and keeps older marriage license records on file for public searches. If you are looking to get married in Chariton County or need to find an old marriage record, this page has the information you need to get started.

Chariton County Marriage License Office

The Chariton County Recorder of Deeds issues marriage licenses at the Chariton County courthouse in Keytesville. Both Chariton County marriage license applicants must come to the office at the same time. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The Chariton County Recorder will guide you through the application and collect the marriage license fee.

A three-day marriage license waiting period applies under RSMo 451.040. After you apply, you wait three days and then return to pick up the Chariton County marriage license. A circuit court judge can waive this marriage license waiting period in special cases. No blood test is needed. The license is valid for 30 days and allows you to marry anywhere in Missouri.

Chariton County is a smaller county, so the Chariton County Recorder's office may close for lunch or have adjusted hours. Call the Chariton County office ahead to confirm someone is available when you plan to visit. The Chariton County office number should be listed on the Missouri Recorders Association website.

Applying for a Chariton County Marriage License

Head to the Keytesville courthouse together. Bring your photo IDs. Have your Social Security numbers ready. Fill out the application. Pay. Wait three days. Pick up the license.

You must be at least 18 to apply for a marriage license without parental consent. Under RSMo 451.090, people aged 15 to 17 need a parent or guardian to sign off. No marriage license residency requirement exists. Anyone from any state can apply for a Chariton County marriage license. If either person was previously married, bring documentation that the prior marriage ended.

after the marriage ceremony, the officiant must sign the Chariton County marriage license and return it to the Chariton County Recorder in Keytesville. This is required under RSMo 451.120. The officiant has 15 days to file the signed marriage license. Without this step, the marriage will not show up in official Chariton County records.

Search Chariton County Marriage Records

Chariton County has marriage records going back to 1820. That makes it one of the older collections in Missouri. The Chariton County Recorder's office in Keytesville keeps the original files. Visit in person or call to request a marriage license search.

The Missouri State Archives has Chariton County marriage records in its statewide database (1805 to 2002). Search online by name for free. The Archives Research Room in Jefferson City has additional microfilm records. Staff can be reached at (573) 751-3280.

For a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage, contact the Bureau of Vital Records. The marriage license fee is $15 per copy. This covers marriages from July 1, 1948 forward. For records before that date, the Chariton County Recorder or State Archives are your best sources.

Note: Chariton County marriage license fees and procedures can change. Verify details with the Recorder before your visit.

Missouri Marriage License Resources

The Missouri Governor's Portal provides an overview of marriage license rules that apply in all Missouri counties. Under RSMo 451.100, weddings can be performed by clergy, judges, or religious organizations.

For international authentication, order a certified copy through VitalChek and select the apostille option. The Secretary of State will process it and send the finished document to you. VitalChek orders generally take 5 to 7 business days.

Common law marriages are void in Missouri. You must have a Chariton County marriage license to be legally married here. This applies throughout the state. Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies of vital records are only available to people with a direct and tangible interest. That includes the people named on the license, family members, and authorized agents.

Chariton County has some of the oldest marriage records in Missouri, going back to 1820. If you are doing family research in this area, the Chariton County Recorder's office in Keytesville is the best starting point. The County Clerk may have birth and death records from the 1880s, and the Chariton County Historical Society has additional resources. The State Archives in Jefferson City also has Chariton County records on microfilm, which can be useful for tracing family lines through multiple generations.

Planning a wedding in Chariton County means working around the three-day wait. Apply early in the week so the license is ready before the weekend. The Recorder in Keytesville can help you time everything right. Make sure the officiant knows they need to return the signed marriage license within 15 days after the marriage ceremony.

Chariton County Vital Records Tips

For a certified copy of a Chariton County marriage license, contact the Recorder in Keytesville. Provide both full names and the marriage date. Walk-in requests happen during office hours. Mail requests need a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City also issues Certified Statements for $15 covering records from July 1948 onward. VitalChek orders at 1-877-817-7363 take about 5 to 7 business days. Standard mail to the Bureau takes 4 to 8 weeks.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Chariton County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds for marriage licenses.