Find Dent County Marriage License

Dent County marriage license records are managed by Recorder of Deeds Angie Curry at the Dent County courthouse in Salem. Created in 1851 from Crawford and Shannon Counties, Dent County has marriage records stretching back to that year. The Dent County Recorder's office handles new marriage license applications and maintains historical records for public access. Early Dent County marriage records from the 1850s onward include names, dates, and the names of officiating ministers and justices of the peace. This page covers how to apply, what to bring, fees, and where to search.

Dent County Marriage License Office

Recorder of Deeds Angie Curry handles all Dent County marriage license applications. The Dent County office is at 400 N Main St, Salem, MO 65560 (mailing address: PO Box 806). Phone is (573) 729-2198, fax (573) 729-3905. Email acurry@dentcounty.com for questions before your visit.

Both applicants must appear at the Salem courthouse together. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security number. The Recorder takes the application and fee right at the Dent County counter. Missouri's three-day marriage license waiting period under RSMo 451.040 applies. You apply and come back three days later to pick up the Dent County marriage license.

A circuit court judge can waive the waiting period for good cause. No blood test is needed. The license is valid for 30 days and the ceremony can happen anywhere in Missouri. No residency requirement applies. The courthouse burned in 1870, but marriage records were saved and go back to 1851.

How to Get a Dent County Marriage License

Both people go to the Salem courthouse. Bring photo ID and Social Security info. Complete the application. Pay the fee. Wait three days. Return for the license.

You must be at least 18 to apply without consent. Between 15 and 17, parental consent is required under RSMo 451.090. If either person was married before, bring proof it ended. Call Angie Curry at (573) 729-2198 to confirm what you need.

after the marriage ceremony, the officiant signs the Dent County marriage license and returns it to the Dent County Recorder within 15 days per RSMo 451.120. This filing makes the marriage official. Check with the office a few weeks later to make sure it was recorded.

Search Dent County Marriage Records

Dent County has marriage records from 1851 to the present. Angie Curry's office in Salem keeps the originals. Visit, call (573) 729-2198, or write to request a marriage license search. certified marriage license copies are available for a fee.

The Missouri State Archives has Dent County records in its statewide database (1805 to 2002). Search by name for free online. The County and Municipal Records database has additional Dent County files on microfilm. Historical marriage records from the 1850s through 1930s have been submitted by researchers and genealogists, and some are available through the Dent County MOGenWeb page.

The Bureau of Vital Records issues Certified Statements Relating to Marriage for $15 covering records from July 1948 forward. For the full original Dent County marriage license, contact the Recorder. The Dent County Genealogical Society has additional resources for family history research.

Note: Dent County marriage license fees may change. Call (573) 729-2198 to confirm before your visit.

Missouri Marriage Resources

The Missouri Recorders Association lists Angie Curry as the Dent County Recorder with full contact info. 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. Under RSMo 193.255, only people with direct and tangible interest can get certified copies of vital records.

Common law marriages are void in Missouri. You must get a Dent County marriage license for any marriage to be legally binding. This is true for all couples in the state, regardless of how long they have been together.

Dent County was formed in 1851 from Crawford and Shannon Counties and was named after James Dent. The courthouse burned in 1870, but marriage records were saved and remain intact from 1851 to the present. That is fortunate for genealogical research on marriage recordsers working in this area. The Dent County Genealogical Society has additional resources for family history work. The County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1886. Early Dent County marriage records include details about officiating ministers, justices of the peace, and witnesses, which can be valuable for tracing family connections.

If you are planning a ceremony near Salem, apply for your Dent County marriage license early in the week. The three-day wait means a Monday application gets you a Thursday pickup. The rural Ozarks setting around Dent County provides a scenic backdrop for a wedding.

Dent County Vital Records Tips

For a certified copy of a Dent County marriage license, contact Angie Curry at (573) 729-2198. Provide both names and the date. Walk-in requests are handled during office hours. Mail requests should include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to PO Box 806, Salem, MO 65560. The Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City issues Certified Statements for $15 for records from July 1948 forward. VitalChek orders at 1-877-817-7363 take 5 to 7 business days. Standard mail to the Bureau takes 4 to 8 weeks.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dent County. Each has its own Recorder that issues marriage licenses.