Bates County Marriage Records Search
Bates County marriage records are maintained at the Recorder of Deeds office in Butler, Missouri. The Recorder stores all marriage licenses, certificates, and related documents for the county. You can search Bates County marriage records by visiting the courthouse in Butler, calling the office, or sending a written request. Records date back to the county's earliest years in the 1840s. The staff can help you locate a specific filing by name or date and provide certified or plain copies of marriage documents on file.
Bates County Quick Facts
Bates County Recorder of Deeds
The Bates County Recorder of Deeds is in the courthouse in Butler, Missouri. This is the central office for all marriage record services in the county. The Recorder issues new marriage licenses, files completed licenses after ceremonies, and provides copies of existing records. If you need any marriage document from Bates County, this office is your starting point.
The Bates County Recorder page has contact information and details about services. Marriage licensing in Bates County follows the state rules in Chapter 451 RSMo. The Recorder's website is shown below.
The site gives you an overview of the Recorder's services and how to get in touch with the office.
| Office | Bates County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 N. Delaware St. Butler, MO 64730 |
| Phone | (660) 679-3371 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | batescounty.net |
How to Find Bates County Marriage Records
Visit the Recorder of Deeds in Butler to search for a marriage record. Give the staff the full names of the spouses and a rough time frame. They check the index and pull the file for you. Copies are available on the spot. Certified copies of a marriage license cost about $9. Plain copies are less, usually $1 to $2 per page.
There is no online search portal for Bates County marriage records at this time. All searches happen at the office, over the phone, or by mail. For a mail request, send a letter to the Recorder with the names, approximate date, and a check or money order for the copy fee. A stamped return envelope speeds things up.
The Bates County website provides general information about county government and services. Below is a screenshot of the county's main site.
Use the county site to find other departments or get directions to the courthouse.
Marriage License in Bates County
Getting a marriage license in Bates County takes one trip. Both people show up at the Recorder of Deeds in Butler. Each brings a photo ID and Social Security number. No blood test. No wait. You pay the fee, fill out the paperwork, and leave with the license the same day. The fee runs about $51. Cash is safest.
The license is good for 30 days from the date it was issued. It works in any Missouri county, not just Bates. After the wedding, the officiant sends the completed license back to the Bates County Recorder within 15 days. That is the law under RSMo 451.130. If either person had a previous marriage, you need to know when it ended. Missouri requires everyone to be 18 or older. That changed on August 28, 2025, and now there are no exceptions to the age requirement.
Note: Double check payment methods with the office before you go, as some counties have moved to cash only.
Bates County Marriage Certificates
The Bates County Recorder has the full original marriage certificate on file. A certified copy from the county includes the names, date, location, officiant, and witnesses. This is the document you need for things like name changes, insurance claims, and legal proceedings. It costs about $9 per copy.
The state keeps a separate record. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records has a marriage index from July 1, 1948 to the present. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage, which just shows names, date, and county. For the full certificate, you must go through the Bates County Recorder in Butler. You can order the state statement by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek. VitalChek adds a service fee on top.
Under RSMo 193.255, only people with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies of marriage records from either the state or county level.
Historical Marriage Filings
Bates County was organized in 1841. Marriage records have been kept since that time. If you are researching an older marriage, the Recorder's office in Butler has files going back to the county's earliest days. Pulling very old records may take extra time.
The Missouri State Archives has microfilm copies of Bates County marriage records. You can browse their online database to see what has been digitized. FamilySearch also has microfilm copies you can view for free. These are great resources for genealogy work and tracking down marriages from the 1800s or early 1900s in Bates County.
Public Access and Missouri Law
Marriage records are public in Missouri. Under the Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo), anyone can ask to view a marriage filing at the Bates County Recorder's office. You do not need to be part of the marriage. Viewing and plain copies are available to everyone. Certified copies require tangible interest under RSMo 193.255.
If you are searching across multiple counties, the Missouri Recorders Association has a directory of all 114 county Recorder offices. It makes finding the right office straightforward.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Bates County in west-central Missouri. Make sure to request records from the county where the license was issued, not where you live now.