Search St. Louis Marriage Records

St. Louis marriage records are managed by the St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds, located inside City Hall. Unlike every other city in Missouri, St. Louis is an independent city that operates outside of any county. That means the city runs its own Recorder of Deeds office for marriage licenses, certified copies, and public record searches. Whether you need to look up an old marriage record, order a certified copy, or apply for a new license, this page explains how to do it. St. Louis has kept its own marriage records since 1881, and you can search them online or in person at City Hall.

St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds

The St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds is the office that handles all marriage records for St. Louis residents. The current Recorder is Michael Butler. His office sits on the first floor of City Hall. Because St. Louis split from St. Louis County back in 1876, the city has its own separate Recorder. Do not confuse this office with the St. Louis County Recorder in Clayton. They are two different offices that serve different areas.

The Recorder's main office covers marriage records from 1931 to the present. For older records dating from 1881 to 1931, you need to visit the Archives Department in Room 129 of City Hall. You can reach the archives by email at archives@stlouis-mo.gov. St. Louis is the only place in Missouri where birth, marriage, death, land, and historical records are all available in one building.

The St. Louis City Recorder website shows the marriage license application process and search options available to residents.

The site lets you start your application online before visiting City Hall, which can save time on the day you go in.

St. Louis Marriage License Costs

The marriage license application fee in St. Louis City is $48. This fee is nonrefundable once you submit your application. Certified copies of a marriage record cost $12 each. Non-certified copies are less, though most agencies that need proof of marriage will want the certified version. If you visit in person, you can pay with Visa, MasterCard, or cash. Checks are not accepted at the walk-in window. For mail-in requests, send a money order or check payable to the St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds.

Missouri law under Chapter 451 RSMo sets the framework for marriage license fees across the state. A portion of each fee supports the Children's Trust Fund and domestic violence shelters. The St. Louis City fee of $48 is in line with what most Missouri jurisdictions charge. After the ceremony, your officiant must return the signed license to the Recorder within 15 days.

Getting a Marriage License in St. Louis

Both people applying for the license must show up together at City Hall. You each need a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Your Social Security number is required. If either person was married before, you must wait at least 30 days from the date your divorce was finalized before you can apply in St. Louis. The license is valid for 30 days from the date you pick it up. The ceremony must take place somewhere in Missouri.

You can start your application ahead of time at stlouiscityrecorder.org/marriage. Fill out the online form and then visit City Hall to finalize everything. This cuts down on wait time at the office. The Recorder's Assistance Center handles all marriage license questions and walks applicants through the process.

St. Louis also offers free weddings. Judges from the 22nd Judicial Circuit perform ceremonies on scheduled Fridays at 2:00 PM at the Civil Courts Building, 10 N. Tucker Blvd, Room 412. You need a St. Louis City marriage license, proof that you are 18 or older, proof of St. Louis City residency, and two witnesses who are at least 21 years old. This is a nice option for couples who want a simple ceremony without extra cost.

Look Up St. Louis Marriage Records

There are a few ways to search for marriage records in St. Louis. The Recorder's office at City Hall can pull records by name or date. Walk-in searches are handled during regular business hours. Staff in the main office cover records from 1931 forward. The Archives Department in Room 129 covers 1881 through 1931. For records before 1881, check with the Missouri State Archives which has some early St. Louis marriage indexes on microfilm.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City also holds St. Louis marriage data from July 1948 onward. You can order state-level certified copies through that office or through VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the standard copy price. For genealogy work, FamilySearch has digitized some St. Louis marriage indexes that are free to search.

Marriage records in St. Louis are public records under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Anyone can request a copy. You do not have to be named in the record and you do not have to give a reason for your request.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to St. Louis. Each one falls in a different county and uses a different Recorder of Deeds for marriage records. If you live in one of these cities, check their page for the right office to contact.

St. Louis Independent City

St. Louis is the only independent city in Missouri. It separated from St. Louis County in 1876 and has operated as its own jurisdiction ever since. This means there is no county page for St. Louis City. The Recorder of Deeds at City Hall is the sole office for marriage records within the city limits. Residents of St. Louis County (including cities like Florissant and Clayton) use a completely different office in Clayton.