Franklin County Marriage Records

Franklin County marriage records are kept by the Recorder of Deeds in Union, Missouri. The office handles all marriage license applications, issues licenses, and stores completed records for public access. Franklin County sits along the Missouri River west of St. Louis and is one of the more populated counties in the state. If you need to search for a marriage record, get a certified copy, or apply for a new license, the Recorder of Deeds office in the Franklin County courthouse is where you start. Most requests can be done in person, by mail, or through state-level resources that cover Franklin County records going back decades.

Franklin County Recorder of Deeds

The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds is the main office for marriage records in the county. This office issues marriage licenses, records completed certificates after the ceremony, and provides copies to the public. The office is in the Franklin County courthouse in Union. Staff can help you look up past marriage records by name or date. They also handle new license applications during regular business hours.

Both people who plan to marry must go to the Recorder of Deeds office in person. You need a valid photo ID with your date of birth and your Social Security number. There is no blood test and no wait time in Missouri. The marriage license fee in Franklin County is around $51, which is the standard rate set by state law. Once issued, the license is good for 30 days. The person who performs the ceremony must return the signed license to the Recorder within 15 days. After that, the marriage is on file as a public record in Franklin County.

You can reach the Franklin County government offices through their website at franklinmo.org. Call ahead if you have questions about hours or what to bring. The office follows a Monday through Friday schedule and closes on state holidays.

Search Franklin County Marriage Records

There are a few ways to find marriage records in Franklin County. The most direct path is to visit the Recorder of Deeds office in Union. Staff there can pull up records by the names of either spouse or by the date of the marriage. You can also request records by mail if you include enough details for the office to locate the right file. A certified copy costs $9 in most Missouri counties, and Franklin County follows this same fee structure.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps a state index of marriages from July 1948 to the present. This office can issue what is called a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage. It shows both names, the date of marriage, and which county recorded it. This is not a full copy of the original certificate, but it can help if you are not sure where the license was filed. The full certified copy must come from the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds.

For older or historical records, the Missouri State Archives holds microfilm copies of Franklin County marriage records. You can search the County and Municipal Records Database online to browse what has been digitized. The archives staff can also handle research requests by mail. Keep in mind that response times may take several weeks.

Note: The state index only goes back to July 1948, so earlier Franklin County marriages must be searched at the local level.

Marriage Records in Franklin County

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records provides guidance on how to get marriage documents from any county in the state, including Franklin County. Their vital records page explains the difference between a marriage statement and a marriage certificate.

A marriage certificate from Franklin County is the full document. It includes the names of both spouses, ages, the officiant, witnesses, and the date and place of the ceremony. A statement from the state level only has basic facts. For most legal purposes, you will need the full certificate from the county Recorder of Deeds.

Marriage records in Franklin County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can ask to see or copy a marriage record. You do not have to be one of the people named in the record. However, getting a certified copy does require that you show a direct and tangible interest as defined in RSMo 193.255. This means you are a spouse listed on the record, a parent, a legal representative, or someone else with a legitimate need.

Franklin County License Process

Getting a marriage license in Franklin County is fairly simple. Missouri law under Chapter 451 RSMo sets the rules that every county follows. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. There is no waiting period and no blood test. You show up at the Recorder of Deeds office with your IDs, fill out the application, and pay the fee. The license is ready the same day in most cases.

After you get the license, you have 30 days to hold the ceremony. The officiant signs the license along with two witnesses. Then the officiant has 15 days to return the completed license to the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds. Once it is filed, it becomes a permanent public record. If the license is not used within 30 days, it expires and you would need to apply again.

Judges, clergy, and certain other people authorized by Missouri law can perform the ceremony. Franklin County Circuit Judges are also available to perform marriages by appointment. Call the courthouse to ask about scheduling.

Fees for Franklin County Records

The cost to get a marriage license in Franklin County is about $51. This is the standard fee set by Missouri law and is broken down into parts that fund the Children's Trust Fund, a shelter fund, county revenue, and other state fees. Payment methods vary by county, so call the Franklin County Recorder to ask if they take cash, checks, or cards.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $9 each. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. If you need a copy from the state level instead, you can order a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage from the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. You can also use VitalChek to order state-level marriage statements online or by phone, though they charge an extra service fee on top of the state fee.

Historical Marriage Records

Franklin County was organized in 1818, making it one of the older counties in Missouri. Marriage records in the county go back to the early 1800s. These older records are stored at the Recorder of Deeds office and on microfilm at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City.

The FamilySearch website also has copies of many Franklin County marriage records on microfilm. This is a free resource for genealogical research. You can search their catalog online and view records at a local FamilySearch center. The Missouri Recorders Association provides a directory of all county recorders in the state if you need contact information for Franklin County or neighboring offices.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County includes the cities of Union, Washington, Pacific, Sullivan, and several smaller towns. All marriage licenses for residents of these communities are issued by the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds in Union. No qualifying cities with pages are located in Franklin County, so residents should contact the county office directly for all marriage record needs.

Nearby Counties

If you are not sure which county handles your marriage license, check your home address. You must apply in the county where you or your partner lives, though a Missouri license can be used anywhere in the state.