Where to Get a Marriage License in St. Louis County
41 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 — St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds. Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM. Note: St. Louis City is a separate jurisdiction from St. Louis County.
St. Louis County and St. Louis City are legally separate jurisdictions in Missouri — a historical quirk unique in the US. Couples in the City of St. Louis (downtown, The Hill, Soulard) apply at the City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds (1200 Market Street, Room 127). Couples in suburban St. Louis County (Clayton, Chesterfield, Ballwin) apply in Clayton.
Fee — $45
St. Louis County's fee is approximately $45. Missouri's critical planning note: 30-day validity means apply no more than 3 weeks before the ceremony.
Accepted payment at most Missouri county offices: cash, credit/debit card, money order. Personal checks are generally not accepted. Call the office to confirm current payment options before your visit.
Required Documents — Bring These
Both applicants must appear together in person and each bring:
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or equivalent. Foreign passports accepted.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application for both parties. Physical card not required — just know the number. Non-U.S. citizens without an SSN write "None."
- Prior marriage information: Date and state where prior marriage ended (divorce date or death of spouse). For divorces finalized within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Government office hours, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods can change without public notice. A 2-minute phone call the day before your visit prevents wasted trips. The office number is available on the St. Louis County government website.
Waiting Period — None
The city/county split confuses many applicants. The rule is simple: if your address is in the City of St. Louis, go to the city office. If your address is in St. Louis County, go to the county office in Clayton. Either license is valid statewide in Missouri.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying based on your ceremony date and Missouri's waiting period and validity rules.
License Validity — 30 days
Your St. Louis County marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. It is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Missouri. Do not apply too far in advance — if the license expires before your ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Use our expiration calculator to track your exact window.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must sign and return the completed marriage license to the St. Louis County issuing office within the timeframe required by Missouri law (typically 10–30 days after the ceremony). After recording, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $15.00 each. Order at least 4–6 certified copies — you will need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport agency, and financial institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Missouri requires both applicants to appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. Both must present valid photo ID and provide their Social Security numbers. There are very limited exceptions for active military deployment in some states — contact the office directly if one party cannot appear.
Yes. Missouri has no residency requirement for marriage license applicants. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Missouri, regardless of where you live. Out-of-state ID is accepted.
Order at least 4–6 certified copies when you're at the office (or request them after recording). You will need one each for: Social Security Administration name change, state DMV name change, passport name change, and potentially one or two more for banks, insurance companies, or professional licensing boards. Ordering multiple copies at once is far more efficient than reordering individually later.
An expired marriage license cannot be used. If your ceremony is delayed beyond the validity window, you must return to the St. Louis County office, reapply, and pay the $45 fee again. There is no extension process. Use the expiration calculator to track your deadline.
Planning Your Visit to the Recorder of Deeds
The Recorder of Deeds handles marriage license applications for St. Louis County. Missouri's recorder of deeds (not county clerk) issues marriage licenses. Certified copies are $15 each.
Missouri has no waiting period but a short 30-day validity window. Apply no more than 3 weeks before your ceremony to ensure the license does not expire.
Step-by-Step: Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a St. Louis County marriage license, from the day you apply through receiving certified copies for name changes:
- Gather documents: Both parties need valid, unexpired photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, have the divorce date and state ready (bring a certified decree if divorced within the past 6 months).
- Visit the office: Both parties appear together at the Recorder of Deeds. The application takes 15–25 minutes. Pay the $45–$51 fee.
- License issued: You receive a physical paper marriage license. Keep it safe — it is the document your officiant will sign after the ceremony.
- Waiting period: None from the moment of issuance. Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony anywhere in Missouri: Your license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Missouri within the 30 days validity window. Your officiant signs immediately after the ceremony.
- Return the license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by Missouri law (typically 10–30 days). Confirm responsibility — you or your officiant.
- Order certified copies: After the marriage is recorded (2–4 weeks post-ceremony), order certified copies from the Recorder of Deeds or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. Start with Social Security first — other agencies verify against SSA records. See our name change guide for the complete sequence.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying in Missouri. Download the Day-Of Checklist PDF to bring to your appointment. Use the Cost Calculator to estimate your total expenses including certified copies and name change fees.