Hickory County Marriage License
Hickory County marriage license records are handled by the Hickory County Recorder of Deeds in Hermitage, Missouri. Hickory County keeps marriage records going back to 1872. If you want to apply for a marriage license or look up an old record, the Hickory County Recorder's office is the place to go. Missouri does not require a blood test or waiting period waiver to get a license here. This page covers the process step by step, including fees, what you need to bring, and how to search Hickory County marriage license records.
Hickory County Marriage License Quick Facts
Hickory County Marriage License Office
Pam Hutton is the Hickory County Recorder of Deeds. Her office is at 23645 Polk St, Suite 203, in Hermitage, Missouri. Call (417) 745-6833 to reach the office. The fee for a Hickory County marriage license is $51. Both people must come in person to the Hermitage office to apply together.
Hickory County is a quiet, rural county in the south-central part of Missouri. The Hickory County Recorder's office in Hermitage is small but serves the whole county for marriage license needs. Because the office handles fewer applications than larger counties, the staff can often give you more personal attention. Call ahead to check hours before making the drive. The application takes about 15 minutes once you get to the counter.
| Office | Hickory County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Pam Hutton |
| Address | 23645 Polk St Ste 203, Hermitage, MO |
| Phone | (417) 745-6833 |
| License Fee | $51.00 |
| Blood Test | Not required |
How to Get a Hickory County Marriage License
Both applicants must appear at the Hickory County Recorder's office in Hermitage. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license such as a driver's license or passport. You need to know your Social Security number. If either person has been married before, bring the date and place of the divorce. The staff will help you fill out the application form.
Missouri does not require a blood test for a marriage license. No waiting period waiver is needed either, though under RSMo 451.040, there is a standard three-day wait between applying and picking up the marriage license. A judge can waive this for good cause. There is no residency requirement. You can apply in Hickory County even if you live far away.
You must be at least 18 to apply for a marriage license without parental consent. Under RSMo 451.090, Missouri used to allow 16 and 17 year olds with parental consent, but the minimum age in the state is now 18. The Hickory County Recorder follows the current law.
Hickory County Ceremony and Filing
Your Hickory County marriage license stays valid for 30 days. Hold the ceremony anywhere in Missouri during that window. Under RSMo 451.100, a judge, clergy member, or religious leader in good standing can perform the wedding. After the marriage ceremony, the officiant signs the license.
The signed license must be sent back to the Hickory County Recorder. Under RSMo 451.120, the person who performed the ceremony is responsible for returning it. Once filed in Hermitage, the marriage is part of the permanent Hickory County record. Anyone can request a copy after that.
Note: If the license is not used within 30 days, it expires and you will need to apply again at the Hickory County office.
Search Hickory County Marriage Records
Hickory County has marriage records from 1872 to the present. Contact the Hickory County Recorder's office in Hermitage to search for a record. The staff can look up files by name or date. You can visit, call, or write to request a marriage license search. Copies are available for a small fee.
The Missouri State Archives has a free database of marriage records from 1805 to 2002. This includes Hickory County entries. The Archives office in Jefferson City can be reached at (573) 751-3280. This is especially useful if you are doing genealogy research and need to find marriages from the 1800s or early 1900s.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. For a full certified copy of a Hickory County marriage license, contact the Hickory County Recorder in Hermitage. Under RSMo 193.255, marriage records are public in Missouri and open to anyone who requests them.
Hickory County Marriage License Resources
The Missouri Recorders Association maintains a list of all county Recorder offices. The Missouri Governor's Portal has a summary of marriage license rules that apply across the state. Both sites are helpful if you have marriage license questions about the process.
For international use, the Missouri Secretary of State provides apostille services. Order a certified copy from the Hickory County Recorder first, then submit it to the Secretary of State for authentication. This step is required for overseas legal purposes.
Hickory County is near Pomme de Terre Lake and Truman Lake. Some couples choose to get married in the area because of the scenic lake settings. If you plan a lakeside wedding in Hickory County, picking up your marriage license from the Recorder in Hermitage ahead of time makes the most sense. The Hickory County office is a short drive from both lakes. Missouri does not recognize common law marriage, so a formal license from the Hickory County office is the only way to be legally married here.
Cities in Hickory County
Hickory County includes Hermitage, Wheatland, and Weaubleau. All residents get their marriage license from the Hickory County Recorder in Hermitage. There are no other offices in the county for marriage license matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hickory County. Each has its own office for issuing marriage licenses.