New Madrid County Marriage License
New Madrid County marriage license applications are processed at the New Madrid County Recorder of Deeds in the city of New Madrid. Located in Missouri's Bootheel region along the Mississippi River, New Madrid County has a rich history that stretches back to the earliest days of the state. The New Madrid County Recorder's office handles new marriage license filings and keeps records from past decades. Whether you are looking to get married in New Madrid County or searching for an old marriage record, this page covers the process. The New Madrid County office in New Madrid is the single point of contact for all marriage license matters in New Madrid County.
New Madrid County Marriage License Quick Facts
New Madrid County Recorder Office
The New Madrid County Recorder of Deeds handles all marriage licenses in New Madrid County. The New Madrid County office is in the New Madrid County Courthouse. Both people must go in together to apply. You each need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work for identification. The staff will give you the application and help with any questions. Plan on about 20 minutes for the whole process.
A New Madrid County marriage license costs $50. The marriage license fee is due when you file. After submitting the application, there is a mandatory three-day marriage license waiting period. This comes from RSMo 451.040. A local judge can waive it for good cause, but you need to ask. After the wait, return to the courthouse to pick up the marriage license. From that point, you have 30 days to hold the ceremony anywhere in Missouri.
The Missouri Recorders Association website lists contact details for the New Madrid County Recorder along with all other county offices in the state.
| Office | New Madrid County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | New Madrid County Courthouse, New Madrid, MO 63869 |
| License Fee | $50.00 |
| Waiting Period | 3 days (judge can waive) |
How to Apply in New Madrid County
Both people visit the New Madrid County Recorder. You show your ID. You fill out the form. You pay $50. Then you wait three days. Come back and get the license. These steps are the same across Missouri. The key is making sure you have the right documents so the first visit goes smoothly.
Under RSMo 451.090, applicants must be 18 or older. If you are 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must be there to sign a consent form. No blood test is needed. Missouri has no residency requirement. Couples from neighboring states like Arkansas, Tennessee, or Kentucky sometimes come to New Madrid County because of its location near the state line. The New Madrid County Recorder treats everyone the same regardless of where they live.
If either applicant has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. The New Madrid County Recorder will not issue a new marriage license without proof that the prior marriage is over. A regular photocopy does not count. It must be a certified copy from the court that issued the divorce.
Things to bring to the New Madrid County Recorder:
- Valid photo ID for each person
- Social Security numbers
- Certified divorce decree if previously married
- Parental consent if under 18
- $50 for the license fee
Ceremony and Filing Rules
Once you pick up the New Madrid County marriage license, find an officiant. RSMo 451.100 allows clergy, judges, and qualified religious leaders to perform weddings. Municipal judges can officiate too. The wedding can happen anywhere in Missouri within 30 days of picking up the marriage license. It does not have to take place in New Madrid County.
after the marriage ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the New Madrid County Recorder of Deeds. This is a legal requirement under RSMo 451.120. The Recorder files the signed marriage license and the marriage becomes part of the county's official records. certified marriage license copies can be ordered from the Recorder after that.
Note: Make sure the officiant sends the signed marriage license back to the New Madrid County Recorder promptly after the marriage ceremony.
Search New Madrid County Marriage Records
The Missouri State Archives has a free search tool for marriage records from 1805 to 2002. New Madrid County records are in the database. Enter a name and check the results. This is the quickest way to find old New Madrid County marriage license records without visiting the courthouse. For records newer than 2002, the New Madrid County Recorder of Deeds in New Madrid can run a search for you.
You can get a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records for $15. It lists names, date, and county. For a full certified copy of the original New Madrid County marriage license, the county Recorder is the right source. Under RSMo 193.255, marriage records in Missouri are public. Anyone can request them.
Missouri Marriage Resources
The Missouri Governor's Portal has marriage and divorce information for the whole state. Case.net provides free online access to court records that may be useful for related matters. These tools cover all Missouri counties, including New Madrid County.
Certified copies of a New Madrid County marriage license are available from the New Madrid County Recorder's office. People often need them for name changes, insurance, or legal proceedings. The office in the courthouse can handle these requests during regular business hours. If you need a New Madrid County marriage record for use in another country, the Missouri Secretary of State can add an apostille to the certified copy for international recognition.
Nearby Counties
New Madrid County is in Missouri's Bootheel. These neighboring counties each have their own Recorder of Deeds for marriage license applications.