Instant certificate. Valid for life. Legally recognized in Missouri.
Get Ordained NowBest months for an outdoor ceremony here: May, June & September (avg 69°F)
Scenic settings for a ceremony: Benner Lake, Browning Lake & Horseshoe Lake
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — 2023 Population Estimates, ACS 5-year estimates & 2020 Census. Wedding estimate: population × Missouri's 2023 CDC marriage rate. Ceremony months: NOAA county climate normals, 1995–2024. Places: USGS Geographic Names Information System.
Same-sex couples have married legally in Missouri since 2015. The story of marriage equality in Missouri →
Elope-friendlyno waiting period — marry the same day you get the license · no witnesses required
Online ordination accepted
No registration required
Documents typically requested:
Missouri accepts online ordinations with no registration required. Verify with the recorder of deeds.
Missouri allows ordained ministers and other clergy to perform marriages without registration.
Missouri Rev. Stat. § 451.100Buchanan County Clerk's Office
411 Jules St, Room 322, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Get directions →Visit website →Get Ordained
Get ordained online through the Church of Pride for $20. Your ordination is instant, valid for life, and recognized under First Amendment protections. Confirm local requirements with the Buchanan County County clerk before officiating.
Confirm Requirements
Call (816) 271-1412 and confirm that Buchanan County accepts your online ordination. Ask about any documents you’ll need to present.
Prepare Your Documents
Have your ordination certificate ready for the ceremony and to present to the clerk if asked.
Perform the Ceremony
Officiate the wedding ceremony. Make sure both parties and any required witnesses sign the marriage license. Keep the tone personal and celebratory — this is their day.
Return the License
Return the signed marriage license to the Buchanan County clerk within 15 days. This is a critical step — the marriage isn’t official until the license is filed.
Yes — Buchanan County accepts online ordination for wedding officiants. Missouri accepts online ordinations with no registration required. Verify with the recorder of deeds.
No — Buchanan County does not require officiants to register before performing a wedding.
None — no witnesses are required to sign the marriage license in Buchanan County, Missouri.
The completed marriage license must be returned within 15 days. As the officiant, returning it is usually your job — don't leave it in a glovebox.
Buchanan County Clerk's Office — 411 Jules St, Room 322, St. Joseph, MO 64501 — phone (816) 271-1412.
Get ordained with the Church of Pride. $20, instant certificate, valid for life.
Get Ordained — $20Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Marriage laws change frequently and can vary by county. Always verify current requirements with the local county clerk's office before officiating any ceremony. Information was last reviewed 2026-02-20.