Daviess County Marriage License

Daviess County marriage license applications are processed by Recorder of Deeds Penny Wheeler at the Daviess County courthouse in Gallatin. Created in 1836 from Ray County, Daviess County has marriage records going back to 1837. The Daviess County Recorder's office handles new applications and keeps older marriage license records available for searching. Whether you plan to get married in this part of northwest Missouri or need a copy of a past marriage record, this page lays out the process, office hours, what to bring, and where to find Daviess County marriage records.

Daviess County Marriage License Office

Recorder of Deeds Penny Wheeler handles all marriage license applications at 102 N Main St, Gallatin, MO 64640. Phone is (660) 663-3183, fax (660) 663-3144. Email penny.wheeler@daviesscountymo.gov for questions. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The Daviess County office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM.

Both people must come to the Daviess County Daviess County Courthouse together to apply. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security number. The Recorder takes the application and fee at the Daviess County counter. Missouri's three-day marriage license waiting period applies per RSMo 451.040. Apply on one day, come back three days later for the license. A judge can waive the wait.

The Daviess County marriage license is valid for 30 days. Your ceremony can happen anywhere in Missouri. No blood test is needed. No marriage license residency requirement applies. Daviess County was named for Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss and has maintained marriage records since 1837.

Applying for a Daviess County Marriage License

Visit the Gallatin courthouse with your partner. Bring photo IDs and Social Security cards. Complete the application form. Pay the fee. Wait three days. Return for the Daviess County marriage license. Keep in mind the office closes at noon for lunch.

Applicants must be 18 or older. Between 15 and 17, parental consent is required under RSMo 451.090. If either person was married before, bring documentation. Call Penny Wheeler at (660) 663-3183 before your visit to confirm requirements.

After the wedding, the officiant signs the Daviess County marriage license and returns it to the Daviess County Recorder within 15 days per RSMo 451.120. Without this step, the marriage may not be on record. Follow up with the office afterward.

Search Daviess County Marriage Records

Daviess County has marriage records from 1837 to the present. Penny Wheeler's office in Gallatin maintains the originals. Visit in person, call (660) 663-3183, or write to request a marriage license search.

The Missouri State Archives has Daviess County records in its online database (1805 to 2002). Search by name for free. The County and Municipal Records database has additional files on microfilm. The Bureau of Vital Records issues Certified Statements Relating to Marriage for $15 covering records from July 1948 forward.

The Daviess County Historical Society may have additional genealogical resources. The Probate Court in Gallatin has probate records from 1890 onward, and the County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1886.

Missouri Marriage Resources

The Missouri Recorders Association lists Penny Wheeler as the Daviess County Recorder with full contact details. The Missouri Governor's Portal covers statewide marriage rules.

Under RSMo 451.100, weddings can be performed by clergy, judges, or religious organizations. For international use, order through VitalChek and request an apostille.

Common law marriages are void in Missouri. You must get a Daviess County marriage license for a legal marriage. Under RSMo 193.255, only people with direct and tangible interest can obtain certified copies of vital records. This includes the people named on the license, family members, and authorized agents.

Daviess County was created in 1836 from Ray County and named for Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss. The Gallatin courthouse is the center of county government. If you are planning a wedding, apply early in the week. Remember the office closes from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch, so plan your visit for the morning or afternoon hours. The three-day wait means applying on Monday gets the license ready by Thursday. The Daviess County Historical Society has genealogical resources for family research. The County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1886 that may help with deeper family history work.

If you need a Daviess County marriage record for use in another country, order a certified copy through VitalChek and select the apostille option. The Secretary of State will authenticate the document and send it to you. This is useful for couples who plan to move abroad or need to prove their marriage status internationally.

Note: Daviess County marriage license fees may change. Call (660) 663-3183 to confirm current rates before visiting.

Daviess County Vital Records Tips

For a certified copy of a Daviess County marriage license, contact Penny Wheeler at (660) 663-3183. Provide both names and the marriage date. Walk-in requests happen during office hours (8 AM to noon, 1 PM to 4:30 PM). Remember the lunch closure. Mail requests should include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope sent to 102 N Main St, Gallatin, MO 64640. The Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City issues Certified Statements for $15 covering records from July 1948 forward. VitalChek orders at 1-877-817-7363 take 5 to 7 business days. Standard mail takes 4 to 8 weeks. For records before 1948, the Daviess County Recorder's office or the State Archives in Jefferson City are your best options.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Daviess County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds for marriage licenses.