As your Kansas City wedding plans take shape, you need to think about who will perform the ceremony. There are several points to consider. Will your marriage ceremony be a religious or civil one? Knowing how to select wedding officiants takes some thought because this will help set the tone for your celebration.

Whether your marriage ceremony is going to be at the Kansas City Power & Light District in downtown KC, or further south at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, you must first meet Missouri’s marriage license requirements.

There are many Kansas City wedding officiants approved to solemnize your union, including active or retired clergy such as ministers, priests, rabbis or other religious leaders in good standing with a church or synagogue in Missouri. These Kansas City wedding officiants must be citizens of the United States. You may also use judges, including municipal, circuit court or associate circuit court judges. Religious societies, religious institutions or religious organizations recognized in the state of Missouri are also officiant options. Wedding officiants of this sort are approved if either marrying partner is associated with the group.

Depending on the type of marriage ceremony, you may want to schedule some time to meet with a few Kansas City wedding officiants to determine which one is the most compatible with your vision of the celebration.

Additionally, you need to ensure the officiant understands Missouri laws and his or her responsibilities so your marriage ceremony is legal and binding, whether you exchange vows on a riverboat on the Mississippi River or inside the walls of a church, chapel or synagogue in downtown Kansas City.

Missouri wedding officiants are responsible for completing the portion at the bottom of the marriage license and making sure it is returned to the recorder of deeds in Jackson County. An envelope is provided by the recorder of deeds, and the marriage license must be included in it and received by their office within 15 days following the marriage ceremony.