Find Perry County Marriage License

Perry County marriage license records are kept by the Perry County Recorder of Deeds at the Perry County courthouse in Perryville. This office processes new marriage license applications and maintains historical records for the county. Whether you need to apply for a license or search for an old one, the Perry County Recorder can help. You can also use the Missouri State Archives online database to search for Perry County marriage license records dating back to the early 1800s. Here is everything you need to know about the process in Perry County.

Perry County Marriage License Office

The Perry County Recorder of Deeds issues marriage licenses from the courthouse in Perryville. The Perry County office is open Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are welcome. The Missouri Recorders Association has the Perry County Recorder listed in their directory with phone numbers and hours.

Both people who want to get married must appear at the Perry County Recorder's office together. You each need a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The Perry County Recorder's staff takes your information and processes the application. Perry County marriage license fees run around $50. Call the Perry County office before your visit to confirm the exact cost. The staff can also let you know if you need anything else beyond the standard documents.

Perry County has one of the older record collections in Missouri. Marriage records date back to 1820, which is the year Missouri became a state. If you need a certified copy of a marriage license from any time period, the Perry County Recorder can help. certified marriage license copies are used for name changes, legal filings, insurance claims, and other official purposes. The fee for a copy is separate from the license fee.

Applying for a Perry County Marriage License

Under RSMo 451.040, there is a three-day marriage license waiting period between filing the application and picking up the marriage license. You apply at the Perry County Recorder's office, then return in three days. A circuit judge may waive the wait for good cause. No blood test is needed in Missouri.

You must be at least 18 to apply for a marriage license without parental consent. Applicants between 15 and 17 need a parent or legal guardian to come to the office and sign the marriage license application. This requirement is set by RSMo 451.090. Nobody under 15 can get a marriage license in Missouri. The Perry County Recorder verifies all ages and documents before accepting an application.

A Perry County marriage license is valid for 30 days after it is picked up. The marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Missouri during that time. After the wedding, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Perry County Recorder. This filing requirement comes from RSMo 451.120. Under RSMo 451.100, clergy, judges, and certain religious organizations can perform marriages in Missouri.

Search Perry County Marriage Records

The Missouri State Archives Marriage Database has records from 1805 to 2002 and includes Perry County entries. This tool is free and lets you search by name. It covers all Missouri counties and is maintained by the Secretary of State's office. It is a solid starting point for finding older Perry County marriage license records.

The Perry County Recorder's office has a local index of all marriages filed in Perry County. You can visit the Perry County courthouse in Perryville to search in person. The Perry County staff can help you find specific records and order certified marriage license copies. For very old records that may not be in the Perry County system, the State Archives in Jefferson City has microfilm copies available for research.

Divorce and other court records for Perry County are on Missouri Case.net. This is a free public system for non-confidential case data. Marriage licenses are not available there. They go through the Recorder, not the courts.

Note: Perry County has records from 1820, but the oldest documents may only be available through the state archives.

Missouri Marriage License Resources

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. This document has the names, date, and county. It is not a full copy of the original license. The Bureau has records from July 1, 1948 to the present. For Perry County marriages before that date, go to the Recorder in Perryville or the state archives.

The Missouri Governor's Portal provides a clear overview of marriage and divorce rules in the state. It covers what you need to bring, who can perform weddings, and how to get copies. Under RSMo 193.255, vital records access is restricted to people with direct interest, but most Perry County marriage records are public and available to anyone who pays the fee.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Perry County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds for marriage license services.