Congratulations! If you've found yourself at this page it is likely that you are either planning to be married or have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Missouri. Ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in Missouri. The information provided below will walk you through the steps one must follow to become a minister and perform a valid wedding ceremony in the state of Missouri.
- ULC Ordination Accepted: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: Sometimes
- Minister's Residency: Irrelevant
- Minister's Minimum Age: 18
- Marriage License Waiting Period: 0 Days
- Marriage License Valid For: 30 Days
- Marriage License Return Within: 15 Days
1 How to Become an Ordained Minister in Missouri
If you haven't already, you should get ordained online with the Universal Life Church. Ordination is free and can be completed in just a matter of minutes. Thousands of legally valid marriages are performed by ULC ministers around the world every year. Begin the process by clicking the big blue button below!
2 Officiating a Wedding in Missouri
Next, you should contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk). Let them know that you are a minister of the Universal Life Church in Seattle, and ask what they will require of you to officiate a legal marriage.
Select your County Recorder to quickly generate the contact information for your local marriage authority.
Select a county contact
Missouri's Top Wedding Spot
Japanese Gardens at the Lodge of Four Seasons
3 License to Marry in Missouri
After you've contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in Missouri to get an Ordination Package. Please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.
Ministers ordained online by the Universal Life Church have successfully solemnized thousands of marriages in the Missouri. While minister registration is not legally required by the state, many ULC ministers in Missouri have reported to us that they are typically asked to present proof of their ordination to the county clerk when they present the signed marriage license to that office, so be sure you have this in hand!
4 How to get Married in Missouri
Now that you've done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Missouri marriage license from the appropriate office. This license is only valid for 30 days, however there is no waiting period between when the couple picks up the marriage license and when the ceremony may legally be conducted, and the signed license needn't be returned to the issuing office until its date of expiry.
At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in Missouri, after they've received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding (while a sometimes-daunting task) can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new Missouri wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.
5 MIssouri Wedding Planning Considerations
Missouri boasts some of the widest array of wedding venues available anywhere. Known for historical buildings and beautiful cathedrals, the stunning Botanical Gardens, and even simple barns and farms on rolling landscapes. Here, the weather is known to be incredibly unpredictable, changing from blazing sunshine to torrential rain during certain seasons. If the wedding should be taking place outdoors, it is important that the forecast be carefully observed, and appropriate outerwear be brought along just in case of inclement weather. Fall season is busiest in Missouri for weddings, as it is in the fall that the weather evens out, and the beauty of Missouri can be truly appreciated. However, this means that planning for a fall wedding should be started early to ensure a venue is available, whether indoors or out. People often wonder how much a wedding minister should charge in Missouri, but the truth is there’s no simple answer – fees can vary widely based on experience level, amount of involvement, and other responsibilities the couple might need covered. Whether it is indoors or out may also influence cost.
Missouri Marriage Code
Marriage laws in Missouri are primarily directed by Section 100 of Chapter 451 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which defines the persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Missouri. We've reproduced this item in the state code below.451.100. 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. View the Missouri Statutes on the official state site.
To view the in-depth wedding laws for Missouri state:
Missouri Marriage Laws⇓ Show the rest
Adair County
106 W. Washington St.Kirksville, Missouri
63501
Phone: (660) 665-3890
Adair County website »
Andrew County
411 Court StreetSavannah, Missouri
64485
Phone: (816) 324-4221
Fax: (816) 324-5667
Andrew County website »
Atchison County
400 WashingtonRock Port, Missouri
64482
Phone: (660) 744-2707
Atchison County website »
Audrain County
101 N. Jefferson St., Room 105Mexico, Missouri
65265
Phone: (573) 473-5830
Fax: (573) 581-8087
Audrain County website »
Barry County
700 Main St, Room 6Cassville, Missouri
65625
Phone: (417) 847-2914
Barry County website »
Bates County
103 W Dakota, Room 3Butler, Missouri
64730
Phone: (660) 679-3611
Bates County website »
Benton County
316 Van BurenWarsaw, Missouri
65335
Phone: (660) 438-5732
Fax: (660) 438-3652
Benton County website »
Bollinger County
204 High Street, Suite 6Marble Hill, Missouri
63764
Phone: (573) 238-1900
Fax: (573) 238-2773
Bollinger County website »
Boone County
801 East Walnut, Rm. 132Columbia, Missouri
Phone: (573) 886-4350
Boone County website »
Buchanan County
411 Jules St., Room 103St. Joseph, Missouri
Phone: (816) 271-1437
Fax: (816) 271-1582
Buchanan County website »
Butler County
100 North Main StreetPoplar Bluff, Missouri
63901
Phone: (573) 686-8086
Butler County website »
Caldwell County
49 East MainKingston, Missouri
64650
Phone: (816) 586-3080
Caldwell County website »
Camden County
1 Court Circle, Suite #5Camdenton, Missouri
65020
Phone: (573) 346-4440
Camden County website »
Cape Girardeau County
#1 Barton Square Suite 203Jackson, Missouri
Phone: (573) 243-8123
Fax: (573) 204-2477
Cape Girardeau County website »
Carroll County
8 S. Main St.Carrollton, Missouri
64633
Phone: (660) 542-1466
Carroll County website »
Cedar County
113 South StreetStockton, Missouri
65785
Phone: (417) 276-6700 ext 246
Cedar County website »
Chariton County
306 S Cherry StKeytesville, Missouri
Phone: (660) 288-1005
Chariton County website »
Christian County
100 W. Church Room 104Ozark, Missouri
Phone: (417) 582-4360
Christian County website »
City of St. Louis
1200 Market Street, Room 124St. Louis, Missouri
63103
Phone: (314) 622-3257
City of St. Louis website »
Clark County
111 East Court Street, Suite 130Kahoka, Missouri
Phone: (660) 727-8261
Clark County website »
Clay County
1 Courthouse Sq.Liberty, Missouri
64068
Phone: (816) 407-3550
Fax: (816) 407-3551
Clay County website »
Clinton County
207 North Main StreetPlattsburg, Missouri
64477
Phone: (816) 539-3719
Fax: (816) 539-3893
Clinton County website »
Cole County
311 E High StreetJefferson City, Missouri
Phone: (573) 634-9116
Fax: (573) 634-4631
Cole County website »
Crawford County
302 Main StreetSteelville, Missouri
65565
Phone: (573) 775-5048
Crawford County website »
Dallas County
108 N Maple St, Suite 10Buffalo, Missouri
65622
Phone: (417) 345-2242
Dallas County website »
DeKalb County
109 W Main St,Maysville, Missouri
64469
Phone: (816) 449-5010 ext 6
DeKalb County website »
Dunklin County
204 Courthouse SquareKennett, Missouri
Phone: (573) 888-3468
Dunklin County website »
Franklin County
400 E. Locust, Rm. 102Union, Missouri
Phone: (636) 583-6367
Franklin County website »
Gasconade County
119 E. 1st St, Room 6Hermann, Missouri
65041
Phone: (573) 486-2632
Gasconade County website »
Gentry County
200 West Clay St.Albany, Missouri
64402
Phone: (660) 726-3618
Gentry County website »
Greene County
940 N Boonville AveSpringfield, Missouri
Phone: (417) 868-4068
Fax: (417) 868-4807
Greene County website »
Grundy County
Grundy County Courthouse<br>700 Main Street, Suite 7Trenton, Missouri
64683
Phone: (660) 359-4040 ext 7
Grundy County website »
Hickory County
100 West Polk Street, PO Box 101Hermitage, Missouri
Phone: (417) 745-6833
Hickory County website »
Jackson County
415 E. 12th Street, Room 104Kansas City, Missouri
Phone: (816) 881-1576
Jackson County website »
Jasper County
302 South Main St.Carthage, Missouri
64836
Phone: (417) 358-0431
Jasper County website »
Johnson County
300 N. Holden Street, Suite 305Warrensburg, Missouri
64093
Phone: (660) 747-6811
Fax: (660) 747-0062
Johnson County website »
Knox County
107 N 4th StEdina, Missouri
63537
Phone: (660) 397-4005
Fax: (660) 397-3331
Knox County website »
Laclede County
200 North Adams StreetLebanon, Missouri
65536
Phone: (417) 532-4011
Fax: (417) 532-3852
Laclede County website »
Lafayette County
3520 S. Noland Rd, Suite CIndependence, Missouri
64055
Phone: (866) 864-1517
Lafayette County website »
Lawrence County
1 Courthouse SquareMt. Vernon, Missouri
65712
Phone: (417) 466-2670
Fax: (417) 466-4995
Lawrence County website »
Lewis County
100 E. LafayetteMonticello, Missouri
63457
Phone: (573) 767-5440
Lewis County website »
Lincoln County
201 Main Street, Suite 203Troy, Missouri
63379
Phone: (636) 528-0325
Fax: (636) 528-2665
Lincoln County website »
Linn County
108 N High St, Room 204Linneus, Missouri
64653
Phone: (660) 895-5216
Linn County website »
Livingston County
700 Webster St., Suite 6Chillicothe, Missouri
64601
Phone: (660) 646-8000
Fax: (660) 646-5402
Livingston County website »
Macon County
101 E. Washington St., Building 3 Suite 300Macon, Missouri
Phone: (660) 385-2732
Fax: (660) 395-4022
Macon County website »
Madison County
1 Court SquareFredericktown, Missouri
63645
Phone: (573) 783-3410 Option 1
Fax: (573) 783-5351
Madison County website »
Maries County
211 4th StreetVienna, Missouri
65582
Phone: (573) 422-3388
Fax: (573) 422-3269
Maries County website »
Marion County
100 S. Main St., P.O. Box 392Palmyra, Missouri
Phone: (573) 769-7001
Fax: (573) 769-6012
Marion County website »
McDonald County
602 Main StreetPineville, Missouri
64856
Phone: (417) 223-7523
Fax: (417) 223-2881
McDonald County website »
Miller County
2001 Hwy. 52Tuscumbia, Missouri
65082
Phone: (573) 369-1935
Fax: (573) 369-1939
Miller County website »
Mississippi County
200 N. Main. St., 2nd FloorCharleston, Missouri
63834
Phone: (573) 683-2146
Mississippi County website »
Monroe County
300 N. Main, Rm 101Paris, Missouri
Phone: (660) 327-4320
Fax: (660) 327-5063
Monroe County website »
Montgomery County
451 W. Third St.Dayton, Missouri
45422
Phone: (937) 225-4275
Fax: (937) 225-5980
Montgomery County website »
Morgan County
100 E. Newton St.Versailles, Missouri
65084
Phone: (573) 378-4029
Fax: (573) 378-6431
Morgan County website »
New Madrid County
450 Main St.New Madrid, Missouri
Phone: (573) 748-5146
New Madrid County website »
Newton County
101 South Wood Street, NE Corner of the Main FloorNeosho, Missouri
64850
Phone: (417) 451-8224
Fax: (417) 451-8273
Newton County website »
Nodaway County
403 N. Market Street, Room 104Maryville, Missouri
64468
Phone: (660) 582-5711
Fax: (660) 582-5711
Nodaway County website »
Osage County
205 E. MAIN STREET, P.O. BOX 110Linneus, Missouri
Phone: (573) 897-2136
Osage County website »
Ozark County
1 Court SquareGainesville, Missouri
65655
Phone: (417) 679-3516
Ozark County website »
Pemiscot County
610 Ward Avenue, Suite 1ACaruthersville, Missouri
63830
Phone: (573) 333-2204
Pemiscot County website »
Perry County
15 W St. Marie Street, Suite 1Perryville, Missouri
Phone: (573) 547-1611
Fax: (573) 547-3879
Perry County website »
Pettis County
415 South Ohio Ave, Suite 214Sedalia, Missouri
65301
Phone: (660) 826-5000 ext 918
Fax: (660) 829-4479
Pettis County website »
Phelps County
200 N Main St, Room 133Rolla, Missouri
65401
Phone: (573) 458-6095
Fax: (573) 458-6098
Phelps County website »
Pike County
115 W Main St #2Bowling Green, Missouri
Phone: (573) 324-5567
Fax: (573) 324-5210
Pike County website »
Platte County
415 Third St., Room 110Platte City, Missouri
64079
Phone: (816) 858-3326
Platte County website »
Pulaski County
301 Rte 66 # 202Waynesville, Missouri
Phone: (573) 774-4760
Pulaski County website »
Ralls County
311 S Main StreetNew London, Missouri
63459
Phone: (573) 985-5631
Fax: (573) 985-5630
Ralls County website »
Randolph County
372 Highway JJ, Suite 1HHuntsville, Missouri
65259
Phone: (844) 277-6555 ext 330
Fax: (660) 277-4601
Randolph County website »
Reynolds County
2319 Green StreetCenterville, Missouri
63633
Phone: (573) 648-2494
Fax: (573) 648-2503
Reynolds County website »
Ripley County
100 Court House Square, Room 3Doniphan, Missouri
63935
Phone: (573) 996-7941
Ripley County website »
Saline County
19 Arrow Street, Room 206Marshall, Missouri
65340
Phone: (660) 886-2677
Fax: (660) 831-0649
Saline County website »
Scotland County
117 South Market Street, Suite 106Memphis, Missouri
63555
Phone: (660) 465-2284
Fax: (660) 465-2408
Scotland County website »
Scott County
131 S Winchester StBenton, Missouri
Phone: (573) 545-3551
Fax: (573) 545-3551
Scott County website »
Shelby County
100 East MainShelbyville, Missouri
63469
Phone: (573) 633-2821
Shelby County website »
St. Charles County
201 N. Second St., Suite 338St. Charles, Missouri
63301
Phone: (636) 949-7505
Fax: (636) 949-7512
St. Charles County website »
St. Clair County
655 2nd StOsceola, Missouri
64776
Phone: (417) 646-2950
Fax: (417) 646-2951
St. Clair County website »
St. Francois County
1 West Liberty Street, Annex Building, Suite 100Farmington, Missouri
63640
Phone: (573) 756-2323
St. Francois County website »
St. Louis County
41 South Central AveClayton, Missouri
63105
Phone: (314) 615-7100
St. Louis County website »
Ste. Genevieve County
55 S. Third St., Room 3Genevieve, Missouri
63670
Phone: (573) 883-2706
Fax: (573) 883-5312
Ste. Genevieve County website »
Stoddard County
401 N Prairie StBloomfield, Missouri
Phone: (573) 568-3444
Stoddard County website »
Stone County
108-A East Fourth StreetGalena, Missouri
65656
Phone: (417) 357-6362
Fax: (417) 357-8131
Stone County website »
Sullivan County
109 N Main St, Suite 20Milan, Missouri
63556
Phone: (660) 265-3630
Sullivan County website »
Taney County
132 David StreetForsyth, Missouri
65653
Phone: (417) 546-7234
Fax: (417) 546-9021
Taney County website »
Texas County
210 North Grand Avenue, Suite 209Houston, Missouri
65483
Phone: (417) 967-8438
Fax: (417) 967-8760
Texas County website »
Vernon County
100 W Cherry St, Room 11Nevada, Missouri
64772
Phone: (417) 448-2520
Vernon County website »
Warren County
101 Mockingbird Lane, Ste. 303Warrenton, Missouri
Phone: (636) 456-9800
Warren County website »
Washington County
102 North Missouri StreetPotosi, Missouri
63664
Phone: (573) 438-6111
Washington County website »
Wayne County
109 Walnut StreetGreenville, Missouri
63944
Phone: (573) 224-5600
Fax: (573) 224-5366
Wayne County website »
Webster County
101 N CrittendenMarshfield, Missouri
Phone: (417) 859-5882
Fax: (417) 468-3843
Webster County website »
Worth County
11 West Fourth Street, PO Box 14Grant City, Missouri
Phone: (660) 564-2484
Worth County website »
