How to Get a Marriage License in St. Louis: Step by Step

Published October 17, 2026

If you want your nikah to be a legal marriage in Missouri as well, you need a marriage license first. Here is how it works in St. Louis, from applying to collecting the license, in plain steps.

At a glance

Where: City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Marriage Department, City Hall, 1200 Market St., Room 128, St. Louis, MO 63103
Booking: The page does not mention appointments. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $60 The page gives two totals: $60 ($48 license + $12 certificate copy) in the fees section and $62 ($50 license + $12 copy) in the preparation section. Nonrefundable. Page read October 2026; confirm the current amount with the department.
Payment: Visa, MasterCard, or cash only. Checks are not accepted.
Who attends: Both people, together, in person.
Valid for: The ceremony must be held within 29 days after you pick up the license, and it must take place in Missouri.
Same day?: The license is issued during your visit.

Step by step

Apply. You can fill out the application online first and bring a printout (make sure your mailing address is on it), or complete it at the office. Both people must visit the Marriage Department together.
Book or plan your visit. The page does not mention appointments. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Gather your ID and documents. See the list below. Bring originals.
Attend and pay. Both people, together, in person. Visa, MasterCard, or cash only. Checks are not accepted.
Give the license to your officiant. Your imam needs it at the ceremony, and must be authorized to solemnize marriages in Missouri. The ceremony must be held within 29 days after you pick up the license, and it must take place in Missouri.

What to bring

Each person needs a driver's license, state ID, or passport showing their full legal name
Both people must be at least 18, or have a legal guardian's consent
If divorced, wait at least 30 days after the divorce is finalized before applying
Social Security number and residency rules are not stated on the page read

Good to know

Two witnesses must sign the license
The officiant must complete, sign and return the license to the Recorder of Deeds within 15 days after the ceremony
The $12 certified copy is mailed automatically once the license is recorded
Ask your imam whether he meets the officiant requirement above before you rely on him to sign
Ask the Recorder of Deeds who may officiate before you book your imam.

Your nikah and the license

The license is what makes your marriage legal. Your nikah is the religious ceremony. If your imam is authorized to solemnize marriages in Missouri, one ceremony can be both. See imams serving St. Louis and our Missouri nikah guide for who may officiate and how the marriage is recorded.

A few common questions

How much is a marriage license in St. Louis?

The issuing office lists the license fee as $60. The page gives two totals: $60 ($48 license + $12 certificate copy) in the fees section and $62 ($50 license + $12 copy) in the preparation section. Nonrefundable. Page read October 2026; confirm the current amount with the department. Fees change, so check the City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Marriage Department page before you go.

Do I need an appointment in St. Louis?

The page does not mention appointments. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Can I get my license in one place and marry in another?

It depends on the state. The ceremony must be held within 29 days after you pick up the license, and it must take place in Missouri. Confirm with City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Marriage Department whether your license can be used outside this county or state before you plan your ceremony.

Do I need a marriage license for a nikah?

Only if you want the marriage to be legally recognized in Missouri. A nikah on its own is religiously valid but is not a legal marriage. If you want both, you need a license and an authorized officiant, and one ceremony can cover both.

Planning a nikah in St. Louis?

Tell us your date and we will help you find an imam, including one who can register the marriage if you want the legal side done the same day.

Request a nikah Imams in St. Louis

Details come from the City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Marriage Department website, checked in October 2026. Fees, hours and booking rules change, so confirm before you go. City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Marriage Department: marriage license page. Contact: (314) 613-3018; recorder@stlouis-mo.gov. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

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