Where to Apply:
Kim Cook
Recorder of Deeds
302 Main Street
P O Box 236
Steelville, Mo. 65565
Phone: 573-775-5048
ALL FEES DUE UPON TIME OF APPLICATION
HOW TO APPLY:
Both parties must appear together at the Recorder’s Office with proper identification.
WHEN TO APPLY:
*Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except legal holidays. However, marriage applications are taken from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*Allow approximately 15 minutes to complete the application process.
*State statute no longer requires applicants to wait three days before the Recorder can issue the license.
*Marriage Licenses are valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issuance and may be used anywhere within the State of Missouri.
QUALIFICATIONS:
*Blood relatives, down to and including first cousins, may not marry under the laws of the State of Missouri.
*Applicants must be 18 years of age (male or female) to marry without parental consent. Persons of the ages of 16 and 17 may obtain a license with the consent of their Custodial parent. Parents must give consent in person at the time of application and must have proper identification. No marriage license shall be issued authorizing the marriage of any male or female twenty-one years of age or older to a male or female under eighteen years of age.
*Previously married applicants must give month and year their last marriage ended.
*There is no blood test.
IDENTIFICATION:
Identification and proof of age is required of ALL persons. The following documents will be accepted:
AGE 18 AND OVER
*Government issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Non-Driver’s License, Military ID, Passport)
AND
*Social Security Number
AGE 16 and 17
*Birth Certificate (Legal, Certified) AND
*Custodial parent to give consent
CONSENTING PARENTS
*Driver’s License and, if divorced, court papers to prove custody
*If legal guardian, court papers to prove custody
NON U.S. RESIDENTS
*Valid passport
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM APPLICANTS:
*The date of marriage ceremony
*The name and phone number of the individual(s) solemnizing the marriage
WHAT TO DO WITH THE LICENSE:
Applicants are responsible for delivering the license to the person who solemnizes the marriage. The officiator must complete the marriage license, then return it to the Recorder’s Office within fifteen (15) days following the wedding. Marriage licenses can be hand delivered OR mailed directly to the Recorder’s Office at the address shown above.
ABSENT APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:
- Absent applicant must fill out the two page affidavit and application form completely (an incomplete document is not acceptable for marriage license application and will delay the issuance of same).
- Absent applicant must produce all required documentation (including current, government issued photo ID).
- Absent applicant must sign the affidavit in the presence of a currently commissioned Notary Public. Notary Public must complete the full acknowledgement then sign and seal it attesting to the information stated.
- The applicable Verification form must be completed and signed by the designated authority (based upon the qualifying purpose for the absence of the marriage license applicant).
INCARCERATED APPLICANT, the Warden, Sheriff, or other facility director must attest to the information provided by the inmate.
MILITARY DUTY APPLICANT, the commanding officer will attend to the verification duties.
APPLICANT QUALIFYING UNDER THE U. S. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT a doctor or other qualified authority must complete and sign the Verification form.
Again, any incomplete or missing documentation is not acceptable for marriage licensing. So double check all information, signatures and seals before returning the documents to the Recorder of Deeds.
Return completed application with verification to the Crawford County Recorder of Deeds. The Recorder must have this paperwork before taking the application of the second party. So, this documentation will most likely be hand delivered by the *non-absent* applicant when they come to complete their part of the marriage application.
When all documentation is in order (for both applicants) and all fees are received, the Recorder can issue the Marriage License. Once the license is issued, it must be used within 30 days or it will expire.
If the license expires before the ceremony is performed, the expired license must be returned to the issuing Recorder. You may obtain another license with the Absent Applicant Affidavit as long as it is dated six months or less prior to issuance of another license.