Access Cass County Marriage Records

Cass County marriage records go back to 1835 and are on file at the Recorder of Deeds office in Harrisonville. As part of the Kansas City metro area, Cass County handles a steady flow of marriage license applications and record requests. The Recorder's office can help with searches, certified copies, and new license applications. Staff are available weekdays at the Historical Courthouse on the square in Harrisonville. You can also call the marriage license clerk directly for questions about Cass County marriage records and the application process.

Cass County Recorder of Deeds

Mike Medsker is the Cass County Recorder of Deeds. Samantha Hogue handles marriage license applications as the Marriage License Clerk. The office is inside the Historical Courthouse on the Square at 102 East Wall Street in Harrisonville. Enter through the north door and it is the first office on the right. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but you should arrive by 4:00 PM for processing.

The Cass County marriage license page lays out the full requirements and process. Marriage licenses in Cass County follow Missouri law under Chapter 451 RSMo. Both people must show up in person. Valid photo ID is required. Accepted forms include driver's license, Missouri ID, US passport, military ID, or a certified birth certificate with photo ID. Your full Social Security number is needed too. Non-US citizens must provide valid US government documentation.

The Cass County website is shown below with general county information and links to the Recorder's office.

A list of pastors is available at the Recorder's office if you need help finding an officiant. Online applications are also available to speed up the process.

Cass County Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee in Cass County is $51. Cash only. No cards, no checks, no money orders for the license itself. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $9 and can be prepaid at the time of application. Military members get certified copies at no charge.

The Cass County marriage license requirements page is shown below with detailed fee and application information.

Missouri has no blood test and no waiting period. The license is issued the same day you apply. It stays valid for 30 days and works anywhere in the state. Your officiant must return the signed license to the Cass County Recorder within 15 days of the ceremony under RSMo 451.130. If either person was married before, bring the date that marriage ended. Minimum age is 18 statewide.

Note: Voter ID name changes can also be processed at the Cass County Recorder's office.

Cass County Marriage Certificates

The Cass County Recorder holds original marriage certificates from 1835 to the present. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps an index of marriages from July 1, 1948 forward. The state issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage that shows names, date, and county only. For the full certificate, contact Cass County.

State statements can be ordered through the Bureau by mail or in person, or through VitalChek online. VitalChek adds a service fee. Access to certified copies requires a tangible interest under RSMo 193.255. Marriage records are public under the Sunshine Law.

Older Cass County Marriage Records

Cass County was organized in 1835. Marriage records go back that far. For genealogy work or historical research, the Recorder's office in Harrisonville is the primary source. The Missouri State Archives and FamilySearch may hold microfilm copies of older Cass County records. The Missouri Recorders Association directory covers all 114 counties.

Cass County has a long history as part of the greater Kansas City area. Its records collection is extensive. If you are tracing family lines in the region, the Recorder in Harrisonville can point you to the right files. For records in neighboring counties like Jackson, Johnson, or Bates, use the Recorders Association directory to find the correct office and contact info.

Public Access to Cass County Marriage Records

Marriage records are public in Missouri. The Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) gives anyone the right to view and copy records held at the Cass County Recorder's office. You do not need to be named on the record. Walk in and ask to see a marriage file. Staff will pull it up for you.

Certified copies have restrictions. Under Section 193.255 RSMo, only those with a direct and tangible interest can get a certified copy. The spouses, their parents, legal representatives, and people with a court order all qualify. Everyone else can still get a plain copy. Plain copies are cheaper and work for basic research or verifying that a marriage occurred.

Cass County is a busy metro area office, so certified copies are often ready quickly. If you just got married in Cass County and need copies for a name change, ask for several at the time of your visit. Social Security, the DMV, banks, and insurance companies may all want to see the certified document. Having three or four copies on hand saves time. Each costs $9, and military members get them free of charge.

Cities in Cass County

Cass County is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Residents of any city or community in the county file for marriage licenses at the Recorder's office in Harrisonville. Communities in Cass County include Belton, Pleasant Hill, Peculiar, and Raymore. All marriage records for the county are kept at the same office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Cass County in the Kansas City metro area and western Missouri. Make sure you request records from the county where the marriage license was filed.