Carroll County Marriage Records Search

Carroll County marriage records have been kept since 1833, when the county was first created from Ray County. The Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Deeds in Carrollton manages all marriage license filings, certified copies, and record searches. Carroll County offers some online search options as well, with marriage license records from 1950 onward available through a public search portal. Whether you need a current record or something from the 1800s, the Carroll County office can help you find it. Staff can search by name or date during regular business hours.

Carroll County Circuit Clerk and Recorder

Janet Horine serves as Carroll County's Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Deeds. Katana Blankenship is the Deputy Recorder. The office is at 8 S Main, Suite 3, in Carrollton. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is where all Carroll County marriage records are filed and stored.

You can visit the Carroll County Recorder of Deeds page for contact details and some basic information about services. Marriage licenses in Carroll County follow Missouri law. Both people must appear in person with photo ID and a Social Security number. No blood test or waiting period applies. The license fee is $46, payable by cash, credit or debit card, or money order. No refunds are given on license fees.

The Carroll County website provides additional county information and office contacts. The screenshot below shows the county homepage.

Carroll County has no known courthouse disasters, which means the record collection is largely intact since 1833.

How to Search Carroll County Marriage Records

Carroll County has marriage license records searchable online from 1950 to the present. The county website has a link to the online search portal. Indexed data is available to the general public. Viewing images and printing requires a subscription agreement. A public access terminal is also available at the office for searching records from 1978 to the current date. Records from before 1978 are indexed using the Grantee/Grantor system.

The Carroll County Recorder's page is shown below with office information and a link to the online search tool.

For in-person visits, bring the name of at least one spouse and an approximate date. Staff can search and make copies. A certified copy of a Carroll County marriage certificate costs about $9. You can also request copies by mail. Send a written request with the names, date, and payment to the office address. E-recording is available through iCounty Technologies for certain document types.

Note: Marriage license applications are processed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM (excluding holidays).

Getting a Carroll County Marriage License

Both people must come to the Carroll County office in Carrollton. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, you need the date that marriage ended. You must affirm that all information on the application is true and correct. Missouri law prohibits marriage between blood relatives through and including first cousins.

The license fee is $46. Cash, credit/debit, and money orders are accepted. No refunds. The license is issued the same day and stays valid for 30 days per RSMo 451.090. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Carroll County Recorder within 15 days under RSMo 451.130. The minimum age to marry in Missouri is 18 with no exceptions as of August 2025.

Carroll County Marriage Certificates

The Carroll County Recorder holds the original marriage certificates going back to 1833. A certified copy is about $9. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps an index from July 1, 1948 forward. The state office only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage with names, date, and county. For the complete certificate, contact Carroll County directly.

You can also order the state-level statement through VitalChek or by mail to the Bureau. Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies require a tangible interest. Plain copies are available to anyone. Military discharges are recorded at no charge in Carroll County (original DD-214 required). The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) makes marriage records public.

Older Marriage Records

Carroll County was created on January 2, 1833. Named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the county has maintained records since its founding. The Missouri State Archives may have microfilm of older Carroll County records. FamilySearch also has Missouri marriage record microfilm at their centers. The Missouri Recorders Association can point you to other county offices if your search leads outside Carroll County.

Carroll County has no known courthouse disasters, which is good news for researchers. The record collection should be largely intact since 1833. If you are doing genealogy work in north-central Missouri, Carroll County is a solid source. The Recorder in Carrollton can help identify what files are available and point you to the right index for older records.

Getting Certified Copies in Carroll County

Certified copies of Carroll County marriage certificates cost about $9 each. You can get them at the Recorder's office in Carrollton. Bring your ID if you are one of the people named on the record. Under Section 193.255 RSMo, certified copies go to those with a direct and tangible interest. This includes the spouses, their parents, legal representatives, or anyone with a court order.

If you just need to verify a marriage, a plain copy works. Plain copies cost less and are available to anyone. The Missouri Sunshine Law makes marriage records open to the public. You can walk in and ask to see a record without giving a reason. For name changes after a Carroll County marriage, order several certified copies at once. Social Security, the DMV, banks, and your employer may all need to see the original certified document. Sending them out at the same time saves weeks of back and forth.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Carroll County in north-central Missouri. Check that you are requesting records from the county where the license was originally filed.