Howard County Marriage License
Howard County marriage license records are kept by the Circuit Clerk and Recorder in Fayette, Missouri. Howard County has marriage records going back to 1816, which makes it one of the oldest collections in the state. Howard County was among the first counties created in Missouri. If you need to apply for a new marriage license or find an old record, the Circuit Clerk's office in Fayette handles both. This marriage license page covers the marriage license application process, fees, and how to search for Howard County marriage license records.
Howard County Marriage License Quick Facts
Howard County Marriage License Office
Teresa E Syferd serves as the Howard County Circuit Clerk and Recorder. The Howard County office is at 1 Courthouse Square in Fayette, Missouri. You can call (660) 248-2194 to reach the office. Both applicants must come to the Fayette office in person at the same time to apply for a Howard County marriage license.
Howard County is in central Missouri, along the Missouri River. The county seat of Fayette is a small town, so the Circuit Clerk's office handles a modest number of marriage license applications each year. The staff is helpful and can walk you through the form when you arrive. Call ahead to check office hours, especially if you are coming from out of town. Bring your ID and Social Security number. The process is usually done in about 15 minutes.
| Office | Howard County Circuit Clerk/Recorder |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Teresa E Syferd |
| Address | 1 Courthouse Square, Fayette, MO |
| Phone | (660) 248-2194 |
Apply for a Howard County Marriage License
Go to the Howard County Circuit Clerk's office in Fayette with your partner. You both need to be there. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security number. If either of you has been married before, bring information about when and where the divorce took place. The clerk uses all of this to fill out the marriage license application.
Missouri does not require a blood test. Under RSMo 451.040, there is a three-day wait between the application and when you can pick up the marriage license. A judge can waive this period for good cause. There is no residency rule in Missouri, so you do not have to live in Howard County or anywhere in the state to apply here. Contact the Howard County office at (660) 248-2194 to confirm the current marriage license fee.
You must be 18 or older to get a Howard County marriage license. Under RSMo 451.090, Missouri no longer allows minors to apply even with parental consent. The minimum age is 18 across the state.
Howard County Marriage Ceremony Rules
Your Howard County marriage license is valid for 30 days. The marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Missouri during that time. Under RSMo 451.100, a judge, clergy member, or religious leader in good standing can perform the wedding. Many couples in Howard County hold their ceremony locally in Fayette or nearby Glasgow.
after the marriage ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Howard County Recorder. Under RSMo 451.120, the person who performed the ceremony is responsible for sending back the completed marriage license. Once the Howard County Recorder files it, the marriage is officially on the books in Howard County. Anyone can then request a copy.
Note: Make sure the officiant returns the signed marriage license before the 30-day window closes.
Search Howard County Marriage Records
Howard County has marriage records going all the way back to 1816. That is over two hundred years of files. The Circuit Clerk's office in Fayette can search for records by name or date. You can call, visit in person, or write to request a marriage license search. Copies are available for a small fee. Very old records may take extra time to pull.
The Missouri State Archives has a free online database of marriage records from 1805 to 2002. This includes Howard County entries and is a strong resource for genealogy. The Archives office can be reached at (573) 751-3280. Because Howard County records go back so far, the archive database is especially useful for finding early 1800s marriages.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. This short form shows names, date, and county. For a full certified copy of a Howard County marriage license, contact the Circuit Clerk in Fayette. Under RSMo 193.255, marriage records in Missouri are public and available to anyone.
Howard County Marriage License Resources
The Missouri Recorders Association has a directory of all 114 county offices in the state. The Missouri Governor's Portal provides an overview of marriage license rules that apply statewide. Use either resource to get more info about the Howard County process or to find offices in nearby counties.
If you need a Howard County marriage license for use outside the United States, the Missouri Secretary of State offers apostille services. Get a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk in Fayette first. Then submit it for authentication. The Secretary of State's office processes these requests for a fee.
Missouri does not recognize common law marriage. Couples in Howard County need a formal license to be legally married. The Circuit Clerk's office in Fayette is the only place in the county where you can get one. If you plan to have your ceremony in Fayette, Glasgow, or anywhere else in the area, make sure to pick up your Howard County marriage license first.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County includes Fayette, Glasgow, and New Franklin. All residents get their marriage license from the Howard County Circuit Clerk in Fayette. There are no other marriage license offices in Howard County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Howard County. Each one has its own office that issues marriage licenses.