Who can officiate a wedding in Missouri or Kansas? What to know about marriage laws

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The rate of people getting married has increased nationwide, according to a recent study by U.S. News, including in Missouri.

The United States’ marriage rate increased 12% in 2022: 16.7 women had been married within the last year per 1,000 women ages 15 years and older, compared with 14.9 per 1,000 in 2021, based on the latest one-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

In Missouri, 19 in 1,000 women got married, placing the state as the ninth-highest in the country for marriages.

Nationwide, more ceremonies are happening outside of a church building. The wedding planning website The Knot reported in 2023 that for the first time ever, farms and barns were at the top of the list for the reception, tied with banquet halls.

With celebrations happening beyond the traditional setup, what all do you need to make sure your wedding is official? Here’s what you need to know.

Do I need a marriage license in Missouri?

Yes, Missouri law requires a license for the marriage to be legally binding, but the people getting married do not have to be Missouri residents.

Licenses are given by each county’s recorder of deeds and must be obtained before the ceremony and returned within 15 days. Missouri doesn’t require a waiting period.

To get a license, both people getting married must be present in most cases and have valid ID. There are exceptions for incarceration and active military service.

How can I officiate a wedding in Missouri?

Missouri also doesn’t have a law that says you have to register with a government office before officiating a wedding in the state. State law says these people can officiate a wedding:

•Any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in the state.

•Current and retired judges, including municipal judges.

•Religious societies, institutions and organizations, according to their regulations and customs.

You can get ordained in Missouri at the church you’re a member of or through online services.

There are penalties for performing an illegal wedding ceremony in Missouri. You can be found guilty of a class C misdemeanor if you knowingly officiate a wedding that is unlawful or criminal, such as marriages involving children ages 15 and younger or marriages between a minor and anyone 21 or older.

“Currently, no marriage license shall be issued in Missouri for individuals under 16 years of age or issued when one party to the marriage is under 18 years of age and the other party over 21 years of age,” the state law says. “Additionally, no marriage license shall be issued if any party to the marriage is under 18 years of age without parental consent.”

Do I need a marriage license in Kansas?

Yes, you need a license to get married in Kansas, though you don’t need to be a Kansas resident.

Licenses are given out by each district court, and a three-day waiting period is required by law, though exceptions can be made. You can apply online for anywhere in the state, though it might take two weeks for the right court to process the application.

Rules about whether or not both parties have to be present to receive a license vary by court. After the license is issued, the marriage just needs to take place within six months.

What do I need to officiate a wedding in Kansas?

Kansas law K.S.A. 23-2504 lists who is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony:

•An ordained clergyman or religious authority of a religious denomination.

•Licensees of church or religious denomination.

•Current and retired judges.

•The couple getting married, in some circumstances.

The couple can get married without the presence of an officiating person if they have at least two competent witnesses over 18 years of age, according to state law.

You can get ordained at the church you’re a member of or through online services like Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries, but wedding officiants in Kansas aren’t required to register with any government office before the wedding ceremony.

You can land yourself in trouble if you officiate a wedding that involves parties that cannot consent to marriage, such as children under the age of 16 or 16- and 17-year-olds without the consent of their parents or legal guardians, according to state law. You will be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.