How To Officiate A Wedding In Missouri State

Missouri has unique marriage laws, and it's important for officiants to be aware of these before conducting a wedding ceremony. The state has specific requirements for officiants, including age and legal status, and it's crucial to comply with these laws to ensure the marriage is legally binding. So, who can officiate a wedding in Missouri, and what do they need to know?

Who can legally perform a marriage in Missouri?

According to Missouri Law, marriages may be solemnized by any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in the state. Marriages may also be solemnized without compensation by any judge, including a municipal judge.

Missouri Law also states that marriages may be solemnized by a religious society, religious institution, or religious organization in the state, according to the regulations and customs of the society, institution, or organization, when either party to the marriage is a member of such society, institution, or organization.

In addition, Missouri recognizes marriages solemnized by online-ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries, as well as ministers ordained by the Universal Life Church. These ministers are considered legally authorized to perform weddings in the state of Missouri.

It is important to note that while Missouri Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization. It is recommended to keep personal records of official Ministry Credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

To summarize, the following individuals can legally perform a marriage in Missouri:

• Any clergyman or retired clergyman in good standing with a church or synagogue in the state.
• Any judge or municipal judge, without compensation.
• Religious societies, institutions, or organizations, when either party to the marriage is a member.
• Online-ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries.
• Ministers ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Do officiants need to register with the government?

In Missouri, wedding officiants are not required to register with any government office prior to performing a marriage. The Missouri State Government has no laws requiring officiant registration or an office dedicated to the registration of wedding officiants.

However, there are certain requirements that must be met to be able to officiate a wedding in Missouri. Firstly, you must be an ordained minister to be able to legally perform marriage ceremonies. Local regulations in Missouri stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries. While ordination can be obtained online for free through organizations like American Marriage Ministries, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials. Proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

Additionally, Missouri law specifies who can solemnize a marriage. According to Missouri Revised Statutes § 451.100, marriages may be solemnized by any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in the state. Marriages may also be solemnized without compensation by any judge, including a municipal judge, or by a religious society, religious institution, or religious organization when either party to the marriage is a member.

Once you are an ordained minister, you have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Missouri. However, it is important to comply with the state's unique marriage laws, such as requirements for marriage licenses and the mandatory presence of at least two witnesses at the wedding ceremony.

What are the requirements to obtain a marriage license?

To obtain a marriage license in Missouri, both parties must appear in person before a county clerk or the recorder of deeds in the relevant county. The couple must provide their full names, addresses, and social security numbers, along with valid government-issued identification containing their date of birth and a Social Security card. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old, and cannot already be married or be related by blood, including first cousins.

If either applicant is under 18, consent from a custodial parent or guardian is required. If the applicant is under 15, a circuit court order must be obtained. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may not marry anyone over the age of 21.

The cost of applying for a marriage license varies by county but is no less than $45. The license is valid for 30 days and must be used within this time frame. The marriage ceremony must be performed in Missouri and officiated by a U.S. citizen who is a clergy member in good standing with a Missouri congregation, or a judge of a court of record. Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony to sign the license, and the officiant must return the completed license to the issuing authority within 15 days of the ceremony.

What are the officiant's responsibilities after the ceremony?

In Missouri, the wedding officiant has a number of responsibilities after the ceremony. Here are the key tasks that must be completed:

Completing the Marriage License

The officiant is responsible for handling the marriage license on the wedding day. This involves asking the couple to present their marriage license, confirming its validity, and then filling out and signing the license. The officiant must enter specific details, such as their title ("Minister"), the church name ("American Marriage Ministries"), the religious denomination ("Non-Denominational" unless a specific religious tradition is followed), and the ceremony type ("Religious").

Obtaining Witness Signatures

In Missouri, no witnesses are required to sign the marriage license. However, the presence of at least two witnesses is mandatory during the wedding ceremony.

Returning the Marriage License

The completed marriage license must be returned to the Recorder of Deeds or the relevant county clerk within 15 days of the wedding. This step is usually the responsibility of the couple, but some states require the officiant to do this. It is important to return the license promptly to ensure compliance with Missouri law.

Providing a Copy of the Marriage Certificate

The officiant must provide all relevant parties with a copy of the completed and signed marriage certificate.

Record-Keeping

Although Missouri does not require officiants to register with any government office, it is advisable to keep personal records of official Ministry Credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. This includes documents such as the Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing.

Can a friend officiate a secular wedding?

In Missouri, a friend can officiate a secular wedding as long as they are ordained and recognised as a minister by a religious organisation. While Missouri law does not require officiants to register with any government office, they must be ordained by a religious organisation, such as the American Marriage Ministries or Universal Life Church, to be able to perform a wedding.

The St. Louis City's office of records states that a ceremony must be "officiated by a U.S. citizen who is a clergy in good standing with a Missouri congregation, or a judge of a court of record, or as otherwise set forth in Missouri Statute".

While there is no requirement for officiants to register with a government body, it is a good idea to keep personal records of official Ministry Credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

In addition to being ordained, Missouri law states that the officiant must be over 18 years of age and must certify that two witnesses have signed the marriage certificate. The marriage certificate must then be returned to the relevant official within 15 days of the ceremony.

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