Missouri raises minimum marriage age to 18

By Shelby Atkison

shelby.atkison@marshfieldmail.com

With the recent signing of House Bill 737 and Senate Bill 43 by Governor Mike Kehoe, Missouri has officially raised the minimum marriage age to 18. The change, which took effect Aug. 28, 2025, prohibits recorders across the state from issuing a marriage license to anyone under 18 years old.

The Webster County Recorder’s Office has updated its policies to align with the new law. Previously, Missouri allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent. But as Webster County Recorder Stacy Atkison explained, the old system often left minors in vulnerable situations.

“Under the old law, a 16-year-old could marry with parental consent, but they were still legally a minor,” Atkison said. “That meant if they found themselves in a bad marriage, they couldn’t file for divorce until they turned 18. They were essentially trapped because, as minors, they couldn’t hire an attorney or pursue legal action on their own.”

Atkison added that the new legislation closes that loophole by ensuring that no one under 18 can enter into a marriage contract in Missouri.

“This protects children from being placed in circumstances where they could potentially be taken advantage of,” he said.

He also credited lawmakers for their efforts to thoroughly vet the issue.

“Representative Melissa Schmidt, of Laclede County, reached out to me and others to discuss the pros and cons of this legislation,” Atkison noted. “She did a fantastic job gathering information and was very concerned about protecting children.”

Under the updated requirements, all marriage license applicants must continue to provide proof of age to the Recorder’s Office in the form of a certified birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, or other government-issued identification.

Atkison said his office is committed to helping residents navigate the updated process.

“Our focus is always on providing the best service possible, and that means making sure people understand these changes and why they’re important,” he added.

The law represents Missouri’s latest effort to standardize marriage requirements statewide and prevent underage marriages that can leave young people without legal recourse.