Maries County Marriage License

Maries County marriage license records are filed and stored at the Maries County Recorder of Deeds office in Vienna. Couples who want to get married in Maries County start the process at the Maries County office. The Maries County Recorder also keeps older marriage records that are part of the county's public files. Vienna is a small town in central Missouri, and the courthouse there serves as the hub for all Maries County vital records. If you need to apply for a new marriage license or search for a past record, the Maries County Recorder of Deeds in Vienna can help you with both tasks.

Maries County Recorder of Deeds

All marriage licenses in Maries County come from the Maries County Recorder of Deeds. The Maries County office is inside the Maries County Courthouse in Vienna. Both Maries County marriage license applicants must appear together. You cannot apply alone or send someone in your place. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security number. The application takes about 20 minutes to complete. Staff at the office will guide you through the form and answer any questions that come up during the visit.

A Maries County marriage license costs $50. Payment is due at the time you file the marriage license application. It is a good idea to call ahead and ask what forms of payment the office takes. Smaller county offices sometimes only accept cash or money orders. Once you apply and pay, there is a mandatory three-day marriage license waiting period before the license can be picked up. This wait is set by Missouri law under RSMo 451.040. After those three days, come back to the office, pick up the marriage license, and you have 30 days to hold the ceremony anywhere in Missouri.

The Missouri Recorders Association website has a directory of all county Recorder offices in Missouri, including Maries County contact information and office hours.

Applying for a Maries County Marriage License

Missouri does not require a blood test or a residency period. You can live anywhere and still apply for a marriage license in Maries County. The main things you need are proof of identity and your Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Under RSMo 451.090, both Maries County marriage license applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need a parent or guardian present to give written consent. The Maries County Recorder will not process any application that does not meet these age rules.

After you pick up the Maries County marriage license, the clock starts. You have 30 days. The ceremony must happen within that window, or the license expires and you would need to start over. Most couples plan to have the wedding within a few weeks of getting the license, so the deadline is rarely an issue. But it is worth keeping in mind if your plans change.

Ceremony and Recording in Maries County

Missouri law spells out who can perform a marriage ceremony. Under RSMo 451.100, clergy, judges, and certain religious leaders are all authorized. Municipal judges can officiate too. The ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as you want. It can happen at a church, a park, a home, or any other place in Missouri.

The key step after the wedding is returning the signed marriage license. The officiant must sign it and file it with the Maries County Recorder of Deeds. RSMo 451.120 requires this. When the Maries County Recorder gets the signed marriage license back, they record the marriage. The record becomes part of the Maries County public files. Without this step, the marriage might not show up in official records, which could cause problems down the road.

Note: Confirm with your officiant that they will return the signed marriage license to the Maries County Recorder promptly after the marriage ceremony.

Search Maries County Marriage Records

The Missouri State Archives maintains a searchable database of marriage records from 1805 through 2002. Maries County records are included. The search is free and you can run it from home. Just enter a name and the database will show matching results from across the state. For records after 2002, contact the Maries County Recorder of Deeds directly.

You can also get a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records for $15. This document lists the names, date, and county but is not a full copy of the original license. For a complete certified copy, the Maries County Recorder is the right source. Missouri law under RSMo 193.255 makes marriage records public, so anyone can request copies.

Missouri Marriage Resources

The Missouri Governor's Portal covers marriage and divorce basics for the whole state. The Case.net court records system can help if you need to look up related legal filings. These are free tools that work for any county in Missouri, including Maries County.

A certified copy of a Maries County marriage license can be useful in many situations. Name changes at the Social Security office or DMV often require proof of marriage. Insurance claims, bank accounts, and real estate transactions may also call for a copy. The Maries County Recorder in Vienna can provide certified marriage license copies during regular hours. Fees vary, so call ahead and ask about the current cost. If you need the document for use in another country, the Secretary of State's office can attach an apostille for international recognition.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Maries County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds for marriage license matters.