How to Find Missouri Marriage Records
Missouri became a state in 1821, formed from Missouri Territory.
Finding Missouri Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- 1821 - Missouri laws required counties to record marriages
- 1881 - county clerks began to send copies to the state
- Missouri marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period
Next Step: When did the marriage occur?[edit | edit source] |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1881[edit | edit source]
- Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
| Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
| Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1805-2002 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 5,968,951 |
| FamilySearch, Marriages, 1819-1969 | On FamilySearch; free; no index | 1,609,998 images | |
| Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1776-1988 | On Findmypast ($); index and images | ||
| If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: | |||
| Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| FamilySearch, Marriages, 1750-1920 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 473,531 | |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1766-1983 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 116,795 |
| Ancestry, Marriages, to 1840 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 321 |
| Ancestry, Marriages, to 1850 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 126,161 |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 116,919 |
| Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local FamilySearch center or your local public library. |
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the recorder of deeds.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the recorder of deeds.
OR
- View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
- Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
Marriages 1881 to Present[edit | edit source]
- 1881, county clerks began to send copies to the state
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
| Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
| Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1805-2002 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 5,968,951 |
| FamilySearch, Marriages, 1819-1969 | On FamilySearch; free; no index | 1,609,998 images | |
| Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1776-1988 | On Findmypast ($); index and images | ||
| If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: | |||
| Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
| FamilySearch, Marriages, 1750-1920 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 473,531 | |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1766-1983 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 116,795 |
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 116,919 |
| Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local FamilySearch center or your local public library. |
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you don't know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk or the Missouri Department of Health.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the recorder of deeds.
OR
- A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the Missouri Department of Health.
| To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
| From County where Marriage occurred | Missouri Department of Health | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | May be more expensive than ordering from the county | |
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. birth records
- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- United States Record Finder
- United States, How to Use Marriage Records
- United States Marriage Records
- United States Vital Records
- U.S. Vital Records Overview
- Locating United States Vital Records
- Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1802-1969 Index and images - Incomplete.
- Missouri Marriages Before 1840 at FamilySearch Digital Library. Also at Ancestry ($). Transcriptions.
- Missouri Marriages to 1850 Index only ($)
- Missouri Marriages, 1851-1900 Index only. Incomplete ($)
- Missouri, Marriages, 1750-1920 Index only. Incomplete.
- Missouri Marriages, 1766-1983 Index only. Incomplete ($)
- Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991 — index and images
- Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 Index and images ($)