{"id":374433,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/marriage-laws-in-missouri.html"},"modified":"2018-03-07T16:13:03","modified_gmt":"2018-03-07T21:13:03","slug":"marriage-laws-in-missouri","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/marriage-laws-in-missouri.html","title":{"rendered":"Marriage Laws in Missouri"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marriage Laws in Missouri<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A new marriage is cause for celebration. However, along with the new relationship status also come new duties and obligations. The specifics of those obligations change from state to state. This article will help you understand both marriage laws and legal duties in Missouri.<\/p>\n

Requirements for a Valid Marriage<\/h2>\n

Fianc\u00e9es must go to the local county courthouse and get a marriage license<\/a> in advance of the marriage ceremony. Both people will need to bring government-issued identification and a social security card. Fees vary by county. Although Missouri residents once had to wait three days before the license was issued, the court will now issue to the license immediately. Once the couple has the license, they must marry within thirty days, or the license will expire.<\/p>\n

Support During Marriage<\/h2>\n

Both parents have a legal duty to financially support their children. Both spouses, generally speaking, have a financial duty to support one another, depending upon the circumstances of the marriage.<\/p>\n

Property Ownership during Marriage<\/h2>\n

Property owned before marriage is known as separate property. This property, income from it (rental, etc.), and the proceeds from the sale of this property will remain the property of the one spouse only. Separate property also includes gifts to one spouse only and inheritances.<\/p>\n

Marital property<\/a> is property acquired after marriage from income earned after marriage. It does not matter if this property is titled in one spouse’s name or both. If the spouses divorce, a court will divide marital property in a way it believes to be fair. This is called equitable distribution<\/a> , and it does not necessarily mean that property will be evenly split.<\/p>\n\n
Statute<\/b><\/td>\nMissouri Revised Statutes, Title XXX, Domestic Relations, Chapter 451<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>
Invalid Marriages<\/b><\/td>\n

There are a few situations when a marriage will not be valid, even if a license was issued. They are:<\/p>\n

Name Change<\/b><\/td>\n

If you take your spouse’s name<\/a>, you should inform:<\/p>\n