Access St. Louis County Marriage License

St. Louis County marriage license records are managed by the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds, Gerald E. Smith, with offices in Clayton. This is the most populous county in Missouri, and the St. Louis County Recorder handles thousands of marriage license applications each year. St. Louis County also offers online access to marriage license records, making it one of the easier counties in the state for searching. Whether you need to apply for a new license or look up an existing record, the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds has the tools and staff to help you through the marriage license process.

St. Louis County Marriage License Office

Gerald E. Smith serves as the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds. The main St. Louis County office is at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton, MO 63105. Call (314) 615-7100 to reach the office with questions about marriage licenses, fees, or hours. This is where you go to apply for a new St. Louis County marriage license or get a certified copy of one already on file.

St. Louis County is the largest county in Missouri by population. Over one million people live here. That means the St. Louis County Recorder processes a high volume of marriage license applications every year. The St. Louis County office runs smoothly, though, and walk-in service is available during regular St. Louis County hours. Both people must appear in person to apply. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and your Social Security card or proof of your number. The marriage license fee is around $50, but check with the St. Louis County office to confirm.

One thing that sets St. Louis County apart is online access to marriage license records. The St. Louis County Recorder's website has a web-based app that lets you search recorded deeds and marriage license indexes remotely. Recorded deeds go back to 1974, and marriage license indexes are also searchable. This saves you a trip to Clayton if all you need is basic information about a marriage license record on file.

How to Get a St. Louis County Marriage License

Missouri requires a three-day marriage license waiting period between filing a marriage license application and picking up the marriage license. This comes from RSMo 451.040. You apply at the St. Louis County Recorder's office in Clayton, and the license is ready after three days. A judge can waive the wait if there is good reason. No blood test is needed in Missouri.

Both people must be at least 18 years old to apply on their own. If someone is between 15 and 17, a parent or guardian must come along and sign the marriage license application. This is laid out in RSMo 451.090. You will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Social Security information is also needed for both applicants.

Once issued, the St. Louis County marriage license is valid for 30 days. The marriage ceremony can take place anywhere in Missouri. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds. Under RSMo 451.120, this return must happen promptly so the marriage gets properly recorded.

Under RSMo 451.100, marriages in Missouri can be performed by clergy in good standing, any judge including municipal judges, or a religious organization when one party is a member. No special registration is needed for clergy who already meet the requirements.

Search St. Louis County Marriage Records

St. Louis County offers online access to marriage license records through the St. Louis County Recorder's website. You can search indexes from a computer without going to Clayton. This is one of the best county-level search tools in Missouri. The web app covers marriage license indexes and recorded deed documents going back several decades.

The Missouri State Archives Marriage Database also has St. Louis County records from 1805 to 2002. This free tool lets you search by name across all Missouri counties. It works well for genealogy research and finding historical marriage license records. The State Archives can be reached at (573) 751-3280 or by email at archref@sos.mo.gov.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues certified statements for marriages from July 1948 to the present. The marriage license fee is $15 per statement. This document shows the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county. It is not a full copy of the original license, but it works for many marriage-related purposes. For a full certified copy, go through the St. Louis County Recorder.

Note: St. Louis County is separate from the City of St. Louis, which has its own Recorder of Deeds and marriage license office.

Missouri Marriage License Resources

The Missouri Governor's Portal gives a clear overview of marriage license rules across the state. It covers who can perform ceremonies, what ID you need, and how fees are set. The Missouri Recorders Association maintains a full directory of all county recorders with links and phone numbers.

Access to St. Louis County marriage license records is governed by RSMo 193.255. This law requires a direct and tangible interest in the record to get a certified copy. Immediate family, the people named on the record, and their authorized agents all qualify. The St. Louis County Recorder's office in Clayton can explain the requirements when you call or visit.

Cities in St. Louis County

St. Louis County includes many cities and municipalities. Residents of these cities file for their marriage license through the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds in Clayton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Louis County. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds that handles marriage license applications.