Springfield, Missouri Wedding Guide
Become a Wedding Officiant in Springfield as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Missouri, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
Become a Wedding Officiant in Springfield as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Missouri, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
If you’re planning a wedding in Missouri, there’s no need to head out to Kansas City or to St. Louis to have the wedding of your dreams. Southwestern Missouri is the perfect spot to host your big day -- especially if you call Springfield home. The biggest little city in southwest Missouri is a wedding industry hot spot and you’ll find it’s chock full of fabulous wedding venues.
But before we jump to the fun part, there’s a few things to check off your wedding planning list first. Here in our guide, we have all the need-to-know info about getting your officiant-of-choice ordained and getting your marriage license -- plus, some tips for planning a seamless wedding in Springfield.
So, let us show you the ropes of how to get married in the Show Me state!
Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Missouri law, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies:
“any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state … [or] 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.”
If you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can register with AMM to become legally ordained. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
Wedding officiants in Missouri are not required to register with any government office, so once you’re registered with AMM, you’re all set to start performing wedding ceremonies!
Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.
Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.
The couple is responsible for picking up the license from the county clerk’s office. It is a misdemeanor for anyone to perform a marriage ceremony if a license is not presented prior to the ceremony in the state of Missouri.
On the wedding day, the officiant (that’s you!) must complete the left portion of the license, have two witnesses sign it, and return it to the recorder's office within 15 days after the wedding so that the license becomes a permanent record. The couple keeps the right portion of the license as their Marriage Certificate.
For The
Couple
Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities. To obtain your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the county recorder’s office at 940 N Boonville Ave. in Room 102.
It’s best to do this within 30 days of your ceremony because then you can take your license the same day you apply. If you come too far in advance, you’ll have to make a second trip to the office to pick it up.
When you go, just remember to bring:
If you want to pre-order a copy of your marriage certificate for name-changing purposes, bring an extra $9 in cash to give to the recorder’s office so that they can mail you your copy after the wedding.
Issuance Office: 940 N Boonville Ave. Room 102
Fee: $ 51
Waiting Period: None
Expiration: 30 days
Return: By officiant within 15 days
For The Couple
& Officiant
When choosing your wedding date, watch out for some of the local events, such as the Turkey Trot race each year. You don’t want to end up competing with traffic on the big day, so check some local events calendars before committing to a wedding venue.
Speaking of wedding venues, there are quite a few options to choose from right in Springfield. The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing, 425 Downtown Events and Catering, the Historic Firehouse No. 2 and Viridian Events Center are some of the most popular spots. Depending on your style -- from classic elegance to urban party scene -- you’ll find a venue that you like right in Springfield.
But if you want to widen your scope, feel free to venture outside of Springfield. Your Greene County marriage license is valid anywhere in the state.
The public transportation system isn't the best, so if you’re coming in from out of town for a wedding, it’s best to either rent a car or utilize ride-sharing services like Lyft or Uber during your stay. You can also take advantage of some of the limousine services available in town. If not on your wedding day, then when?
Missouri has long, pleasant springs, but until April, it can be fairly chilly outside. Then, the weather stays warm until Memorial Day. Summer can get very hot, up into the 90s, but rarely for more than a few days at a time. Fall is arguably the best season in Missouri because of the beautiful fall foliage and pleasant temperatures. Winter can get very bitter, with snow and ice in the realm of possibilities, but it’s rarely for more than a few days.
Severe weather, such as tornadoes and thunderstorms, happen, so it’s a good idea to invest in wedding insurance in case your big day coincides with a major weather event.
For The Couple
& Officiant
Yes, ministers that are ordained through online ministries like AMM can legally officiate ceremonies in the state of Missouri.
With your Springfield-issued marriage license, you can get married anywhere in the state lines as long as you deliver the completed license back to the office of issuance.
The officiant is responsible for returning the completed marriage license to the recorder’s office within 15 days of the ceremony.
You’ll need a certified copy of your marriage license. You can obtain a certified copy of your license at the time of application for your marriage license by prepaying with $9 cash to have one mailed to you. Or, after your marriage, when our half of the license has been returned, you may come into our office to pick up.
As long as you purchased your license in Greene County, you may obtain a copy for $9. You can get it by coming to the office and paying using cash or card, writing to request a copy by mail and paying with a cashier's check or money order, or calling and paying for a copy over the phone to have one mailed to you.
Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!