Find Marriage Records in Butler County

Butler County marriage records are managed by the Recorder of Deeds in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The Recorder has marriage licenses and certificates dating back to 1845. If you are looking for a marriage record from Butler County, whether it was filed last year or over a century ago, this is the office that holds it. You can search Butler County marriage records in person at the courthouse on Main Street, call the office, or send a written request by mail. Staff can help locate records by name or date and provide certified or plain copies.

Butler County Recorder of Deeds

Debby Lundstrom has served as Butler County Recorder of Deeds since 1995. The office is at 100 N Main Street, Room 106, in Poplar Bluff. The staff includes Office Manager Mandy Allen and Deputy Recorders Audrey Johnston, Tarah Moore, and Amanda Hill. This team handles marriage license applications, record storage, copy requests, and all other recording duties for Butler County.

The Butler County Recorder page has details about services and contact information. The office follows the state rules in Chapter 451 RSMo for marriage licenses. Below is a look at the Butler County Recorder's website.

The site gives you a good starting point for understanding what the Recorder's office does and how to reach them.

How to Search Butler County Marriage Records

Go to the Recorder of Deeds office in Poplar Bluff to search for marriage records. Give the staff the names and an approximate date. They will check the index and find the record. Copies are ready while you wait. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $9. The initial marriage license fee of $60 includes one certified copy, so if you just got married, you already have one.

Butler County also has a marriage license information page on their website. The screenshot below shows the county's marriage license page with details about the application process.

The page outlines the requirements and fees for getting a marriage license in Butler County. It is a useful reference before you make the trip to Poplar Bluff.

For mail requests, send a letter with the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and your payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. No recordings are accepted after 3:00 PM each business day, so plan accordingly if you are visiting in person.

Butler County Marriage License

The marriage license fee in Butler County is $60, cash only. That includes one certified copy of the license. Both applicants must come to the Recorder's office together. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Missouri requires no blood test and has no waiting period. You apply and get the license the same day.

The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and works anywhere in Missouri. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Butler County Recorder within 15 days as required by RSMo 451.130. If either person was married before, you need the month and year it ended. Both must be 18 or older. Missouri set the minimum at 18 with no exceptions starting August 28, 2025.

Note: Military personnel may receive certified copies of their marriage license at no charge from the Butler County Recorder.

Butler County Marriage Certificates

The Butler County Recorder holds original marriage certificates from 1845 to the present. Additional certified copies cost $9 each. The certificate has everything: names, date, location, officiant, and witnesses. This is what you need for name changes at Social Security, the DMV, your bank, and for legal proceedings.

The state has a separate record. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records keeps an index of marriages from July 1, 1948 forward. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage that shows only names, date, and county. For the full certificate from a Butler County marriage, you must go through the Recorder in Poplar Bluff. You can order the state statement by mail or through VitalChek. Certified copies at either level require tangible interest per RSMo 193.255.

Historical Marriage Records in Butler County

Butler County was organized in 1849, and the Recorder's office has marriage records from 1845 to the present. That is over 175 years of marriage filings preserved in one place. If you are researching older records, the office in Poplar Bluff can help, though very old files may take extra time.

The Missouri State Archives has microfilm copies of Butler County marriage records. Their County and Municipal Records Database has some of these available online. FamilySearch has additional microfilm copies free to view. These are valuable resources for genealogy work in the Poplar Bluff area and southeast Missouri.

Public Access and Scam Warnings

Marriage records are public in Missouri under the Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can ask to view a marriage filing at the Butler County Recorder's office. You do not need to be a party to the marriage. Viewing and plain copies are open. Certified copies require tangible interest under RSMo 193.255.

The Butler County Recorder's office has warned about scam mailings that offer to send copies of property deeds or other documents for $100 or more. These are not from the county. If you get a letter offering copies of your marriage license or deed for a high price, it is not an official communication from Butler County. Always contact the Recorder directly at (573) 686-8086 to request copies at the actual county rates.

The Missouri Recorders Association directory has contact info for all county Recorders if you need to verify the right office for your request.

Cities in Butler County

Poplar Bluff is the county seat and largest city in Butler County. Other communities include Fisk, Qulin, and Neelyville. All marriage licenses in Butler County are issued through the Recorder of Deeds at 100 N Main Street in Poplar Bluff. No city within the county operates its own vital records office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Butler County in southeast Missouri. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds for marriage records. Contact the county where the license was issued to get the records you need.