Search Lafayette County Marriage License

Lafayette County marriage license records are kept by the Lafayette County Recorder of Deeds at the Lafayette County courthouse in Lexington, the county seat. Located in west-central Missouri along the Missouri River, Lafayette County has a long history of maintaining public records. Whether you are planning to get married or need to find an existing marriage license record, the Lafayette County Recorder is the office to contact. You can also search historical Lafayette County marriage license records through the Missouri State Archives online database, which covers all Missouri counties from 1805 to 2002.

Lafayette County Marriage License Office

The Lafayette County Recorder of Deeds handles all marriage license applications and record requests in Lafayette County. The Lafayette County office is located at the Lafayette County courthouse in Lexington, Missouri. Lafayette County was organized in 1820, making it one of the older counties in the state. The Lafayette County Recorder's office maintains marriage records spanning many decades. To reach the office, check the Missouri Recorders Association directory for the current phone number and address details.

Both people who want to get married must appear at the Lafayette County Recorder's office together. Missouri law requires this for all marriage license applications across the state. You cannot apply by mail or send someone else. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license like a driver's license or passport. Your Social Security number is also needed. If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended, whether by divorce decree or death certificate.

Certified copies of Lafayette County marriage licenses are available from the Lafayette County Recorder's office. These carry the official county seal and are accepted by courts, banks, and government agencies. The Lafayette County Recorder's staff can search the local index by name or date to help you find the record you need. Call the Lafayette County office before you visit to confirm the fee for certified marriage license copies and to check current office hours in Lexington.

Get a Lafayette County Marriage License

Missouri law governs how marriage licenses are issued in Lafayette County. Under RSMo 451.040, a three-day marriage license waiting period applies after you file the marriage license application. You submit your paperwork at the Lafayette County Recorder's office in Lexington and come back three days later to pick up the marriage license. A judge can waive this marriage license waiting period if there is good cause. Missouri does not require a blood test for marriage.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Under RSMo 451.090, those between 15 and 17 need a parent or legal guardian present to sign. The Lafayette County Recorder verifies all identification before issuing a marriage license. A state-issued photo ID is required. A passport or military ID also works.

A Lafayette County marriage license stays valid for 30 days. The marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Missouri. After the Lafayette County wedding ceremony, the person who performed the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Lafayette County Recorder. This is what makes the marriage officially on record. Under RSMo 451.100, clergy, judges, and recognized religious leaders can officiate weddings in Missouri.

Note: Verify Lafayette County marriage license fees and office hours by calling the Lafayette County Recorder before your visit.

Search Lafayette County Marriage Records

The Missouri Statewide Marriage License Database is a free resource for searching older Lafayette County marriage records. The Secretary of State maintains this database, which covers records from 1805 to 2002 for every Missouri county. Search by name to find Lafayette County records. This tool is especially useful for genealogy research and finding records from the 1800s.

For recent Lafayette County marriage records, contact the Lafayette County Recorder of Deeds in Lexington directly. Staff can search the local index and provide copies of marriage license records on file. In-person visits to the courthouse give you direct access to the record books. If you are unable to visit, call ahead to ask about mail requests for certified copies of Lafayette County marriage licenses.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records also issues certified statements for marriages statewide. This document shows the names, date, and county of the marriage. The marriage license fee is $15 and you can order by mail or online. For a complete certified copy with all the details, go through the Lafayette County Recorder's office.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services manages vital records including marriage license data for Lafayette County and all other Missouri counties.

Missouri Marriage License Resources

The Missouri Recorders Association keeps a full directory of every county Recorder in the state. You can find the Lafayette County Recorder's current phone number and address there. The Missouri Governor's Portal has information about marriage and divorce laws in plain language.

Under RSMo 451.120, the signed marriage license must be returned to the Lafayette County Recorder within the required timeframe after the marriage ceremony. If the officiant does not return it, the marriage may not be properly on the public record. Couples should follow up to make sure their license was filed. Access to marriage records is governed by RSMo 193.255, and most marriage records in Missouri are public.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lafayette County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds for marriage license applications.