MO HB1234

Imposes a $20 fee for marriage license issuance and $7 fee for certified copies of marriage licenses, collected by the recorder of deeds.

Allows applicants to waive marriage license fees by completing a minimum 15-hour premarital preparation course covering communication skills, children and parenting, financial responsibilities, and conflict management, conducted by clergy, religious institutions, or professional counselors.

Directs $15 per marriage license fee to the children's trust fund and $5 per marriage license fee to a county domestic violence shelter fund; directs $7 per certified copy to the children's trust fund.

Requires dissolution of marriage or legal separation filing fees involving minor children to be held in trust for one year; entire fee is refunded if petition is withdrawn within that period.

Restricts dissolution of marriage judgments involving children under 21 years old to cases with mutual written consent, two-year waiting period from filing, or proof of adultery, felony conviction with 10+ year sentence, willful desertion over one year, physical abuse, or mental incapacity of a party.