The Standard

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Bazil Manietta

The three-day waiting period for obtaining a marriage license in Missouri has been eliminated by Senate Bill 22.

The three-day waiting period has been a law since 1943 but a blood test also accompanied the wait. An outbreak of syphilis that needed to be controlled was the reason for the blood test. In 1980, the blood test was eliminated but the waiting period still remained according to Linda Montgomery, Greene county recorder of deeds.

In the most recent legislative session in Missouri, the change was brought about because all the other states surrounding Missouri had already made the change. Also, those in the military on weekend leave have a limited schedule and don't have the time to wait, according to Montgomery.

Previously, to obtain a marriage license without the waiting period the couple would have to obtain at $30 waiver from a circuit judge, according to a news release.

"It's more helpful," Mont-gomery said. "Couples only need to make one trip and it's just more convenient."

A marriage license is only good for 30 days and it is only good in Missouri.

"Someone can't get a license in Missouri and go get married in Las Vegas," Montgomery said.

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