Missouri Law on Ministers

Who may legally perform a wedding ceremony in Missouri?

“MISSOURI MINISTERS ONLY”

Missouri Marriage Law

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.”

We spoke with a young man from Illinois who is an attorney and hired us to perform his wedding ceremony.   He was going to ask his friend who was a recently ordained minister in Illinois to perform their ceremony.   He said after reading the MO statue.  He said, the way the law is written, his friend did not meet the legal guidelines to perform a ceremony in Missouri.   His friend  was ordained thru a church in California.   And that the residence of his ministry is his home in Illinois,  there for,  does not meet the Missouri requirements.  He said the clerks office may accept it, but it could become a legal nightmare.  Missouri is not a registry state and they rely on the honesty of the person signing as Minister.     But the Law is Clear.

We’ve recently we have had more minister’s and couples contacting us to ask, if we allow ministers other than those from St Louis Wedding Chapel to perform wedding ceremonies here in our chapel.  The Answer is yes of course.  There have been Ministers from other churches,  Judges and even ministers of family members performing wedding ceremonies in our chapel.

So you should contact an attorney before asking a family member / minister outside of our state, even from a state as close as Illinois to perform your ceremony in Missouri. .

While we allow others to perform ceremonies here.  It is important that you, make sure that they meet all the guidelines of the state.

MO. Ministers and Missouri marriage law in the state of MO.