Missouri drops wait for marriage license

Couples in a fever once went to Las Vegas to get married. More than 30 chapels, no waiting. Now, why bother?

Tuesday, Missouri joins some 30 other states that have stopped making couples wait to get a marriage license. Couples have been required to make two trips to the recorder of deeds office, one to apply for the license and another at least three days later to receive the license.

Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds Janet Robert does not like the new law. It was pushed by larger counties who wanted to cut the number of trips in half for customers who have trouble finding parking near their courthouses. Robert says many people who come into her office to apply for a marriage license never return after the waiting period.

"They change their mind or whatever," Robert said. "My job is not to be a social worker, but I feel it saved some people from making a mistake."

The new law is viewed as a convenience for military personnel who may want to get married while on limited leave. Robert says others have gotten tripped up by the waiting period as well, for example people just visiting for a few days to get married. In that case a circuit judge could waive the waiting period. "I think they have all found a way," Robert said.

The purpose of the three-day waiting period is uncertain, Robert said. At one time the state required a blood test for syphilis. Getting the results took three days. The state stopped requiring that test in 1978, but the three-day wait remained. Robert said some people think states instituted the waiting period to keep couples from making a hasty decision during World War II.

Debra Unterreiner, a marriage counselor in Cape Girardeau, has counseled couples who decided to get married a few weeks after meeting. "Typically those do not work out. I've never had any that worked long term."

If the law stopped people from making impulsive decisions about marrying, the waiting period was a good idea, she said. "Marriage is difficult. Learning to share and communicate together, those are things that take awhile to learn and adjust to."

Last year, Cape Girardeau County issued 584 marriage licenses. Anyone wanting to get married in the county must bring the recorder a photo ID, a Social Security card or a check stub with their Social Security number on it, and $51 in cash.

The only bad checks the recorder's office ever received were for marriage licenses, so checks are no longer accepted. "They would close out an account, and they're off to Timbuktu to live," Robert said.

The other elements of Missouri's marriage law remain the same, including the need for parental consent if one or both parties getting married is under 18. A judge can order the recorder to grant a marriage license to someone under 15. Robert said that has occurred once since she became recorder in 1977.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

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