Madison County Marriage Records Office
Marriage records are handled by Madison County Recorder of Deeds Saundra Ivison, not by the Circuit Clerk. The Recorder of Deeds is at 1 Court Square, Fredericktown, MO 63645. The phone number is 573-783-2176 ext. 1. The recorder email is recorder.madco@gmail.com, the deputy recorder email is deputyrecordermadco@gmail.com, and the recorder site publishes office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The office split is important for copy requests. A marriage-license copy request belongs with the Recorder of Deeds because that office records and certifies marriage licenses. A divorce decree request belongs with the Circuit Clerk because divorce is a court case.
Madison County Recorder of Deeds
1 Court Square
Fredericktown, MO 63645
573-783-2176 ext. 1
recorder.madco@gmail.com
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Madison County Circuit Clerk
Madison County Justice Center
3 Court Square, Fredericktown, MO 63645
573-783-2176 ext. 2
Use for divorce decrees and domestic case records.
Madison County Marriage License Requirements
The Madison County Recorder requirements are concise. Applicants must be at least 18, must be free to marry, and must bring the license fee at application. Missouri section 451.040 also supports electronic marriage-license application processes when identity verification rules are met. If identity is not verified in person, the recorder must use the required verification process and at least one applicant must be a resident of the county or city where the application is submitted.
| Field / Requirement | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant age or proof of age | ID eligibility | Yes | Recorder page says applicants must be 18 or older. |
| Payment | Fee | Yes | $51 by cash, check, or money order at application. |
| Freedom to marry | Eligibility statement | Yes | Applicants must be legally free to marry. |
| Identity verification | ID process | Yes when electronic or in person | Section 451.040 sets verification rules for electronic issuance. |
The Missouri marriage-license statute is assigned to Madison County marriage and divorce records.
That statute supports the recorder's identity and application requirements for Missouri marriage licenses.
Apply for Madison County Marriage License
A marriage license is not the same thing as a certified copy after the ceremony. The license is issued before the marriage, then the completed license must be returned and recorded so certified copies can be issued later. Call the Recorder of Deeds before visiting if payment method, ID requirements, or timing need confirmation.
Bring the payment method the Recorder accepts, since the local requirement names cash, check, or money order.
The Recorder's marriage requirements page functions as the local application instruction source found in the research. No accessible Madison County online marriage application form fields were located. That means applicants should treat the published requirements, fee, and identity rules as the planning checklist and confirm any remaining procedural detail with the Recorder before arriving at the courthouse.
- Contact or visit the Recorder of Deeds at 1 Court Square.
- Confirm current hours and accepted payment.
- Bring proof of age or identity and $51 by cash, check, or money order.
- Both applicants should be prepared to confirm they are free to marry and meet Missouri requirements.
- After the ceremony, return or record the completed license through the Recorder so certified copies can be issued.
Madison County Marriage Record Fees
The Recorder fee schedule gives the strongest local fee details for marriage records. Divorce filing fees and certified divorce decree copy costs were not provided in the assigned marriage and divorce research, so those should be confirmed with the Circuit Clerk before ordering a decree or filing a domestic case.
| Item | Amount or Access Note |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $51.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage license | $7.00 |
| Copy of marriage license | $1.00 per page |
| Divorce decree certified copy | Confirm with Circuit Clerk. |
For record-copy requests, identify whether the needed document is a marriage license copy, a certified marriage-license copy, or a divorce judgment. The Recorder can answer marriage-license copy questions. The Circuit Clerk can answer divorce decree and domestic-case copy questions. Using the wrong office can delay the request because the recorder does not maintain divorce case files.
Madison County Divorce Records
Divorce records are Circuit Court domestic case records. Search public case information through Case.net or request copies from the Circuit Clerk at the Madison County Justice Center. Certified copies of divorce judgments or decrees should be requested from the Circuit Clerk, not the Recorder of Deeds. Public Case.net data may show case header, parties, attorneys, docket entries, and public orders, while protected information is redacted or restricted.
Missouri section 452.305 says a dissolution can be entered when one party has been a Missouri resident, or stationed in Missouri as armed services, for 90 days immediately before filing, at least 30 days have passed since filing, and the marriage is irretrievably broken. The judgment can address custody, support, maintenance, and property when those issues are within the court's jurisdiction.
The Missouri dissolution statute is assigned to Madison County marriage and divorce records.
That statute explains the statewide timing and residency rule behind Madison County divorce filings.
File Madison County Divorce Case
Divorce case access and filing are handled through the Circuit Clerk and court system. Parties should confirm venue, forms, service, filing method, and copy needs with the clerk or an attorney because domestic cases can include restricted personal information and child-related filings.
A Case.net search can help locate a domestic case number and hearing activity, but it should not be treated as a complete certified divorce record. The decree or judgment copy comes from the Circuit Clerk. If a divorce record is needed for agency, benefit, title, name-change, or immigration use, ask the receiving agency whether a certified decree is required before ordering.
- Confirm Madison County is the correct venue and the Missouri residency or stationed-service requirement is met.
- Prepare Missouri dissolution forms or attorney-drafted pleadings.
- File with the Circuit Clerk or through Missouri eFiling if eligible or required.
- Serve the other party unless waiver or entry applies.
- Wait at least 30 days after filing before judgment can be entered.
- Resolve property, custody, support, maintenance, and parenting issues.
- Use Case.net to track public docket events and request certified decree copies from the Circuit Clerk.
Public divorce docket access may not include every document. Sensitive filings, full Social Security numbers, child details, protected addresses, and confidential attachments may be redacted or unavailable remotely. If a certified decree is needed for name change, remarriage, benefits, title work, or another legal purpose, request it from the Circuit Clerk and confirm the exact copy fee and delivery method before sending payment.
Note: Adoption records and some child or protected personal information are confidential under Missouri law.