How to Find Missouri Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records Missouri Missouri Marriage Records

Missouri became a state in 1821, formed from Missouri Territory.

Finding Missouri Marriage Records

• 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?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1881 1881 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1881

• 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 in Index

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

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 Family History 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. Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

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 Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

• Search the FHLC by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1881 to Present

• 1881, county clerks began to send copies to the state

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

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

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 Family History 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. Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

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 county clerk 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

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

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