Search Putnam County Marriage License

Putnam County marriage license records are kept by the Putnam County Recorder of Deeds at the Putnam County courthouse in Unionville. This small county in northern Missouri near the Iowa border handles marriage license applications and maintains records going back to the 1840s. Whether you plan to get married in Putnam County or need to find an existing marriage record, the Putnam County Recorder's office is your first stop. You can also search the Missouri State Archives database for older Putnam County marriage license records online at no cost.

Putnam County Marriage License Office

The Putnam County Recorder of Deeds is in the courthouse in Unionville. This office issues all marriage licenses in Putnam County. It is open Monday through Friday. The Missouri Recorders Association lists the Putnam County Recorder with contact info in their directory.

Both people must show up together to apply for a Putnam County marriage license. This is a state law. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security number. The staff at the Putnam County Recorder's office will walk you through the form and collect the fee. Putnam County marriage license fees are around $50, but call the Unionville office to get the exact amount. The process is the same here as it is in every other Missouri county.

Putnam County has marriage records on file going back to 1845. If you need a certified copy of a past marriage license, the Putnam County Recorder's office can pull it. certified marriage license copies are commonly used for legal matters, name changes, and benefits claims. The copy fee is separate from the license fee. Contact the Putnam County office to check the current rate.

Apply for a Putnam County Marriage License

Missouri has a three-day marriage license waiting period between filing a marriage license application and receiving the license. This is set by RSMo 451.040. You apply at the Putnam County Recorder and come back in three days. A circuit court judge can waive the waiting period for good cause. No blood test is required in Missouri.

You must be at least 18 to apply on your own. If you are between 15 and 17, a parent or legal guardian must come along and sign per RSMo 451.090. Nobody under 15 can get a marriage license. Each person needs a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. The Putnam County Recorder checks everything before accepting the application.

Your Putnam County marriage license is good for 30 days once you pick it up. The wedding can happen anywhere in Missouri. After the marriage ceremony, the person who performed the marriage ceremony must sign the marriage license and file it with the Putnam County Recorder as required by RSMo 451.120. Under RSMo 451.100, clergy, judges, and certain religious groups can officiate marriages in Missouri.

Search Putnam County Marriage Records

The Missouri State Archives Marriage Database covers 1805 to 2002 and includes Putnam County entries. This free tool lets you search by name. It is run by the Secretary of State's office and is useful for finding older Putnam County marriage license records without visiting the courthouse.

The Putnam County Recorder maintains a local index of all marriages filed since 1845. You can search in person at the Unionville courthouse during business hours. The Putnam County staff can help you find records and order certified marriage license copies. For records that are too old for the Putnam County system, the state archives in Jefferson City has microfilm copies available.

Court records for Putnam County, including divorce filings, are on Missouri Case.net. This free system covers non-confidential case data. Marriage licenses are not available through Case.net since they go through the Putnam County Recorder, not the courts.

Missouri Marriage License Resources

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues Certified Statements Relating to Marriage for $15. This document has names, date, and county. It is not a full copy of the marriage license. The Bureau keeps records from July 1, 1948 forward. For older Putnam County marriage license records, contact the Recorder in Unionville or the state archives.

The Missouri Governor's Portal covers marriage rules at the state level. It explains ID requirements, age limits, the waiting period, and who can perform ceremonies. Under RSMo 193.255, vital records access is limited to those with direct interest. Most Putnam County marriage records are public and available to anyone who pays the fee.

Note: Putnam County marriage license fees may change, so call the Putnam County Recorder's office before your visit to confirm.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Putnam County in northern Missouri. Each has a Recorder of Deeds for marriage licenses.