How to Find Missouri Marriage Records

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

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Finding Missouri Marriage Records

• 18-- Missouri laws required counties to record marriages
• 1 April 18--, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of 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 1820 1805 to 1867 1867 to 1925 1926 to 1935 1936 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1820

• Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
• 1805 to 1820 very few records exist

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1820 to 1867

Missouri Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
	Missouri, County Marriages, 18-- -18--	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties:
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some 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 theFamily 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 Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1868 to 1925

Missouri Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Missouri Marriages, 18-- -19--	Free; most counties 18-- -19--: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
Try 2nd:
	Missouri, County Marriages, 18-- - 19--	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties:
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some 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 theFamily 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 Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935

Missouri Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Missouri, County Marriages, 19-- -19--	Free; most counties 19-- -19--: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties:
Try 2nd:
	County Clerk	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
	Missouri Department of Health	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the Missouri Department of Public Health. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some 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 theFamily 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 Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present

Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

• Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.

• Copies may be ordered from the Missouri Department of Public Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		From MO Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

• Missouri
• Missouri Online Genealogical Records
• Missouri Vital Records
• [[How to Find United States Marriage

Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|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 Selection Table
• 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
• Michigan Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues

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