RIPLEY COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS

RECORDER OF DEEDS: DONNIE JOHNSON JR.
DEPUTY RECORDER: GAYLA GUNTER
OFFICE HOURS: 8:00AM – 4:00PM
ALL STATE HOLIDAYS ARE OBSERVED

Ripley County Courthouse
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Marriage License Requirements

PLEASE CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF JUST COMING INTO RECORDER’S OFFICE FOR APPLICATION. IT IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!!!

For On-Line Marriage License Application, please, click (here)

Party One and Party Two

  • Must appear together, in person, to complete the application, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except holidays). The license may be issued at the time of application.
  • Must be 18 years of age or over.
  • Must present a valid, government-issued photo ID and, one of the following (certified copy of birth certificate and/or valid passport).
  • Must bring payment of $55.00 (cash/debit/credit card only) at the time of application. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.
  • Will be asked to affirm all information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge on the application and that you are free to marry under the laws of the state of Missouri. Your signature on the application is considered sworn affirmation.
  • Must have the license given to the person performing the ceremony, before the wedding.
  • Must have a ceremony performed within 30 days from the date of issuance in the State of Missouri. If the wedding date is more than 30 days from the application date, the couple must wait to pick up the license.
  • Must not be related to each other, through and including first cousins.
  • Must provide, if previously married, the date their last marriage dissolved.

Recorders Association of Missouri Issues Statement on Legislation Raising Age of Marriage to 18

  • August 28, 2025 – The Recorders Association of Missouri issued the following statement regarding the recent signing of HB 737 and SB 43 by Governor Mike Kehoe. These legislative changes will impact the issuance of marriage licenses across the state.
  • HB 737 and SB 43 raise the minimum age for marriage in Missouri to 18 years old and prohibit Recorders from issuing a marriage license to any person under the age of 18.
  • Recorders of Deeds across Missouri will update their office policies to comply with the statutory changes, which will take effect August 28, 2025.
  • As is required under current law, all applicants will continue to provide proof of age to the Recorder's office in the form of a certified copy of their birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued identification.
  • The Recorders Association of Missouri and all county Recorders are committed to upholding the statutory requirements of their offices, and these changes will be implemented promptly upon the law's effective date.

Persons Solemnizing Marriages

Section 451.100 RSMo. Marriages may be solemnized by any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state. Marriages may also be solemnized, without compensation, by any judge, including a municipal judge. Marriages may also be solemnized by a religious society, religious institution, or religious organization of this state, according to the regulations and customs of the society, institution or organization, when either party to the marriage to be solemnized is a member of such society, institution or organization.

Note: It is a misdemeanor for anyone to perform a marriage ceremony if a license is not presented prior to the ceremony (451.120 RSMo.) The marriage is invalid if the ceremony takes place before the license is picked up.

Return and Record of Marriage

  • The person performing the ceremony is required by law to return the completed license to the Ripley County Recorder of Deeds office within 15 days of the ceremony.
  • The Recorder's office then provides the state with the marriage information and retains the original for preservation and permanent record.
  • The couple must request a certified copy.
  • The License used or not used, must be returned to our office.