Jefferson County Marriage License Search
Jefferson County marriage license records are managed by the Jefferson County Recorder of Deeds office in Hillsboro. The county holds marriage records going all the way back to 1825, which makes it one of the oldest collections in the state. If you need to apply for a new marriage license or search for an existing one, the Jefferson County Recorder is your primary contact. You can also search historical marriage license records through the Missouri State Archives online database, which covers records from 1805 to 2002. This page has everything you need to know about getting a marriage license in Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Marriage License Quick Facts
Jefferson County Marriage License Office
Debbie Dunnegan-Waters serves as the Jefferson County Recorder of Deeds. The Jefferson County office is located at 729 Maple St in Hillsboro, Missouri. You can reach them by phone at (636) 797-5414. The Jefferson County office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Jefferson County is one of the more populated counties in Missouri, so the Jefferson County Recorder's office stays busy. Calling ahead to confirm hours and check current marriage license fees is always a smart move.
Both applicants must visit the Jefferson County Recorder's office in person. This is required by Missouri law. You cannot apply by mail, phone, or online. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license such as a driver's license or passport. Your Social Security number is also needed. If either person was married before, bring proof of how that marriage ended, whether by divorce decree or death certificate. The Missouri Recorders Association lists the Jefferson County office in their directory with links and contact info.
Jefferson County marriage records date back to 1825. That is nearly 200 years of marriage license records on file at the Jefferson County courthouse in Hillsboro. certified marriage license copies are available for any marriage license in the collection. These are useful for name changes, legal proceedings, insurance matters, and genealogy research. The Jefferson County Recorder's staff can assist with lookups if you know at least one name and an approximate date.
| Office | Jefferson County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Debbie Dunnegan-Waters |
| Address | 729 Maple St, Hillsboro, MO |
| Phone | (636) 797-5414 |
| License Fee | ~$50.00 (confirm with office) |
How to Get a Jefferson County Marriage License
Missouri law sets the rules for all marriage licenses issued in Jefferson County. Under RSMo 451.040, there is a three-day marriage license waiting period after you apply before the license can be picked up. A judge can waive this marriage license waiting period if there is good cause shown. No blood test is needed in the state of Missouri. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Jefferson County marriage license on your own.
If one or both applicants are between 15 and 17 years old, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign the marriage license application. This is laid out in RSMo 451.090. The Jefferson County Recorder verifies all identification before processing any marriage license application. Bring a state-issued photo ID for your marriage license application. A passport or military ID also works.
The Jefferson County marriage license stays valid for 30 days once it is picked up. The wedding can happen anywhere within the state of Missouri during that time. After the marriage ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the Jefferson County Recorder. This return step is what makes the marriage part of the official public record. Under RSMo 451.100, judges, clergy, and certain religious leaders can perform the ceremony.
Note: Always call (636) 797-5414 to verify Jefferson County marriage license fees and hours before visiting.
Search Jefferson County Marriage Records
The Missouri Statewide Marriage License Database is the best free tool for searching older Jefferson County marriage records online. Run by the Secretary of State's office, it covers records from 1805 to 2002 across every Missouri county. You can look up Jefferson County records by name. The database is especially helpful for genealogy research or finding records from the 1800s when the county was first established.
For more recent Jefferson County marriage records, contact the Jefferson County Recorder of Deeds at (636) 797-5414. Staff can search the local index by name or date. In-person visits to the Hillsboro courthouse let you browse records directly. The Jefferson County government website has department contact information and may offer additional lookup tools as more records get digitized over time.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues certified statements for marriages statewide. This is a shorter document that shows names, date, and county only. It costs $15 and can be ordered by mail or online. For a full certified copy of a Jefferson County marriage license with all the details, you need to go through the Jefferson County Recorder's office in Hillsboro.
Missouri Marriage License Resources
Beyond the Jefferson County office, several state resources can help with marriage license matters. The Missouri Recorders Association keeps a full directory of all county Recorders with phone numbers and addresses. The Missouri Governor's Portal has information about marriage and divorce rules across the state in plain language.
Under RSMo 193.255, which covers who can get vital records. Most marriage records in Missouri are public and available to anyone who asks.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services manages vital records including marriage license data for Jefferson County and all other Missouri counties.
Nearby Counties
These counties neighbor Jefferson County. Each one has its own Recorder of Deeds office for marriage license applications.