Clay Reporter

The St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds office now is one of two offices in the State of Missouri beta testing a new system that enables the processing of electronic marriage license applications without the need for either applicant to appear at the office in person.

“This updated system adds convenience for all marriage license applicants, but especially residents who currently are out of the area or otherwise cannot both visit our office in person during regular business hours,” says Mary Dempsey, St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds.

To be eligible to complete the marriage license application electronically, both applicants must be at least 18 years of age and at least one of the applicants must be a resident of St. Charles County. Couples can find a link to the secure application and a list of qualifications and required documentation at sccmo.org/MarriageLicense. After completing the standard online application, both applicants must each provide an electronic signature and upload a copy of their passport, driver license or other state-issued identification. Once identification documents are verified with security questions and the application is processed, the marriage license can either be picked up at the office by an applicant or delivered by mail. Applications for marriage licenses must be completed within 30 days prior to the ceremony. If applicants are having the license delivered, the Recorder office recommends completing the process more than 48 hours prior to the ceremony to ensure it will arrive in time.

Marriage licenses must be paid for at the time of application. There is an initial cost of $58, plus a $5 verification fee for the electronic process, and an added service fee if paying with credit card. Additional, varying charges apply to have the license delivered via FedEx. Applicants do have the option to pay for and pick up licenses at the County’s Administrative Building, 201 North Second Street, St. Charles.

A self-addressed, stamped envelope also is provided for the officiant to mail the license back to the Recorder of Deeds within 15 days of the ceremony. Once returned, staff records the license and mails a certified copy and keepsake version to the couple.

“I am excited and proud for our office to be one of the first in Missouri to navigate this fully online process for issuing marriage licenses,” Dempsey says. “This is just one piece of our strategy to make the services we provide more efficient and more convenient for our constituents.”

For more information, email recorder@sccmo.org, or call 636-949-7505. 

Original source can be found here.