Find Madison County Marriage License
Madison County marriage license applications are processed at the Madison County Recorder of Deeds office in Fredericktown. If you plan to marry in Madison County or just want to search for an existing marriage record, the Madison County office is your first stop. Madison County has kept marriage records for well over a century, and many of those files are now part of the state archives. Fredericktown is a small community in southeast Missouri, and the Madison County Recorder's office handles marriage licenses along with other county documents. This page walks through the steps to apply and the best ways to find Madison County marriage license records.
Madison County Marriage License Quick Facts
Madison County Marriage License Office
The Madison County Recorder of Deeds is the sole office that issues marriage licenses in Madison County. It is in the courthouse in Fredericktown. Both people who want to marry must visit the office at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security number. The staff will have you fill out the marriage license application on site. Most visits take around 20 to 30 minutes. The Missouri Recorders Association lists contact info for the Madison County Recorder along with every other county in the state.
The marriage license fee is $50 for a Madison County marriage license. Payment is due when you apply. Check with the office about which payment methods they accept, as some smaller county offices may prefer cash or money orders. After you submit the form and pay, Missouri law requires a three-day marriage license waiting period. This rule is set by RSMo 451.040. A local judge can waive the wait in certain situations. Once three days pass, you pick up the marriage license and it is valid for 30 days.
| Office | Madison County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | Madison County Courthouse, Fredericktown, MO 63645 |
| License Fee | $50.00 |
| Waiting Period | 3 days (judge may waive) |
Madison County License Requirements
Missouri has clear rules for who can get a marriage license. You need to be at least 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must be present and give consent under RSMo 451.090. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Missouri. There is no blood test. There is no marriage license residency requirement. You do not need to live in Madison County or even in Missouri.
Here is what to bring when you visit the Madison County Recorder:
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Social Security number
- Certified divorce decree if you were married before
- Parental consent form if under 18
- Payment of $50 for the license fee
Both people must appear in person. You cannot send someone else in your place. This is a firm rule that the Madison County Recorder enforces for every application.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Once you have your Madison County marriage license in hand, you need someone to officiate the wedding. Under RSMo 451.100, the following people are allowed to perform marriages in Missouri: ordained clergy, judges at any level including municipal judges, and religious leaders when one party belongs to that organization. The marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in the state within 30 days of picking up the marriage license.
After the wedding, the officiant signs the license. Then it must go back to the Madison County Recorder of Deeds for recording. This step is required by RSMo 451.120. If the license is not returned, the marriage may not appear in the public record. Most officiants handle this, but it is smart to check and make sure they send it back on time.
Search Madison County Marriage Records
Looking for an old Madison County marriage license? Start with the Missouri State Archives online database. It has marriage records from across the state going back to 1805. Many Madison County records appear in this collection, and the search is free. Just type in a name and see what comes up. For more recent records, contact the Madison County Recorder of Deeds directly. They can search their files and provide certified marriage license copies for a fee.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records offers another option. They can send you a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. This document shows the names of both spouses, the date, and the county where the license was filed. It is not a full copy of the original marriage license, but it works for many marriage-related purposes. Under RSMo 193.255, marriage records in Missouri are public and anyone can request a copy.
Note: The state archives database covers records through 2002, so for anything more recent, contact the Madison County Recorder directly.
Missouri Resources for Madison County
The Missouri Governor's Portal has a helpful page on marriage and divorce that covers the basics for every county. The Case.net system gives you access to court records statewide, which can be useful for related legal matters. If you need a Madison County marriage license record authenticated for use abroad, the Secretary of State can add an apostille to a certified copy.
Certified copies of a Madison County marriage license serve many purposes. You may need one for a name change at the Social Security office or the DMV. Insurance companies sometimes ask for proof of marriage. Banks and mortgage lenders may want to see one too. The Recorder of Deeds in Fredericktown can issue certified marriage license copies on the spot during regular business hours. Each copy has a fee, so check with the office on current pricing before you visit.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Madison County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds that issues marriage licenses.