Montgomery County Marriage License
Montgomery County marriage license records are on file with the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds in Montgomery City. This east-central Missouri county processes new marriage license applications and keeps a long archive of past filings. The Montgomery County Recorder's office in the Montgomery County Courthouse is the only place in the county where you can apply for a license. Whether you need a new one or want to look up an old marriage record, everything goes through the same office. This page walks through the steps to apply and shows you how to search Montgomery County marriage license records.
Montgomery County Marriage License Quick Facts
Montgomery County Recorder Office
The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds sits in the courthouse in Montgomery City. Both people who want to get married must visit this office together. You cannot send one person first and have the other come later. Bring a photo ID for each applicant. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You also need your Social Security number. The staff will give you the application form and check it when you finish. Plan on about 20 minutes for the visit.
The fee for a Montgomery County marriage license is $50. Payment is taken when you submit the application. After that, Missouri law requires a three-day wait. This rule is found in RSMo 451.040 and applies everywhere in the state. A judge can waive the wait if there is good cause, but this is uncommon. After three days, go back to the office in Montgomery City and pick up your license. It stays valid for 30 days.
The Missouri Recorders Association website has contact information for the Montgomery County Recorder and every other Recorder in the state.
| Office | Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | Montgomery County Courthouse, Montgomery City, MO 63361 |
| License Fee | $50.00 |
| Waiting Period | 3 days |
Montgomery County License Application
The age requirement is 18 in Missouri. Under RSMo 451.090, applicants who are 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian who is present at the office. No one under 16 can get a marriage license. Missouri does not ask for a blood test. There is no rule that says you must live in Montgomery County or in Missouri at all. Out-of-state residents can apply here just like locals.
If either person was married before, the Montgomery County Recorder needs to see a certified copy of the divorce decree. A regular photocopy will not do. The decree proves the old marriage ended before a new license can be issued. Make sure you have this document ready before you head to the Montgomery County courthouse. Forgetting it means an extra trip.
What to bring to the Montgomery County Recorder:
- Valid photo ID for both applicants
- Social Security numbers
- Certified divorce decree if previously married
- Parental consent if either person is under 18
- $50 for the license fee
Note: Call the Montgomery County Recorder ahead of your visit to double check office hours and payment options.
Ceremony and Filing in Montgomery County
With your Montgomery County marriage license, you can hold the ceremony. RSMo 451.100 lets clergy, judges, and certain religious leaders officiate weddings in Missouri. Municipal judges are included in that list. The ceremony can be held anywhere in the state. You have 30 days from the date you pick up the marriage license.
After the wedding, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds. This recording step is required by RSMo 451.120. Once the signed marriage license is on file, the marriage is officially recorded in Montgomery County. You can then order certified marriage license copies from the Recorder whenever you need them for legal, travel, or personal purposes.
Search Montgomery County Marriage Records
Looking for a past Montgomery County marriage license? The Missouri State Archives has a free database of marriage records from 1805 to 2002. Montgomery County records are part of that collection. Search by name and view the results online. For records filed after 2002, contact the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds in Montgomery City.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records can also help. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. This is a shorter document that shows names, date, and county. For a full certified copy, go to the Montgomery County Recorder. Marriage records in Missouri are public under RSMo 193.255, so anyone can request copies.
Missouri Marriage Resources
The Missouri Governor's Portal has information about marriage and divorce rules across the state. The Case.net system provides free online access to Missouri court records. Both tools are useful for Montgomery County marriage-related research.
People request certified copies of a Montgomery County marriage license for many reasons. Name changes at the Social Security office or DMV are the most common. Banks and insurance companies sometimes need proof of marriage as well. The Montgomery County Recorder in Montgomery City can provide certified marriage license copies during regular office hours. Call ahead to check the current marriage license fee. If you need the record authenticated for use in a foreign country, get the certified copy first and then submit it to the Missouri Secretary of State for an apostille. Montgomery County has records going back many decades, so the Recorder can often help with both recent and historical requests.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County sits in east-central Missouri. These neighboring counties each have a Recorder of Deeds for marriage license matters.