Hickory County Marriage Record Search

Hickory County marriage records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds in Hermitage, Missouri. This is one of the smaller counties in the state, tucked into the Ozarks region of west-central Missouri. The Recorder handles marriage license applications, files certificates after ceremonies, and keeps these records for public access. If you want to search for a marriage record in Hickory County, get a copy of a certificate, or apply for a new marriage license, the Recorder of Deeds at the county courthouse is the place to go. State offices can also assist with records indexed since the late 1940s.

Hickory County Recorder of Deeds

The Hickory County Recorder of Deeds works out of the courthouse in Hermitage. This office handles all marriage-related records for the county. You can find general county information at hickorycountymo.org. The Recorder issues new marriage licenses, files returned certificates, and provides copies to anyone who makes a request.

Applying for a marriage license in Hickory County requires both people to show up in person. Each person needs a photo ID with date of birth and a Social Security number. No blood test is needed. There is no waiting period. The fee is about $51. The license is good for 30 days from the date it is issued. It can be used anywhere in Missouri. After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license within 15 days to the Hickory County Recorder.

Find Records in Hickory County

Contact the Recorder of Deeds in Hermitage to search for a marriage record. You can visit the office or call. Give them the names and an approximate date. A certified copy costs $9. A plain copy is $1 per page. Mail requests are also accepted if you include enough details for the staff to find the right record.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records keeps a statewide index of marriages from July 1948 forward. They issue Certified Statements Relating to Marriage. This document shows the names, date, and county but does not include the full details on the original certificate. You can order one by mail, in person at their office in Jefferson City, or online through VitalChek. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state cost.

For the complete original certificate with all the information recorded at the time of the marriage, you still need the Hickory County Recorder of Deeds.

Note: Hickory County is a very small office, so call ahead before visiting to make sure someone is available.

Hickory County Marriage License Laws

Missouri's marriage license rules are in Chapter 451 RSMo. The same rules apply in Hickory County as everywhere else in the state. Both applicants must be at least 18. No exceptions exist for younger applicants. There is no medical test, no residency requirement, and no waiting period. You can apply and receive the license on the same day.

The Missouri Sunshine Law at Chapter 610 RSMo makes marriage records public. You can view any marriage record filed in Hickory County. Getting a certified copy has an extra rule. Under RSMo 193.255, only a person with a direct interest can get a certified copy. This includes the spouses, their parents, legal reps, or someone with a court order. Non-certified copies are available to anyone.

The state tracks vital records, including marriages, through the Bureau of Vital Records. Their guide on obtaining records has more details.

Once the officiant returns the signed license, the Hickory County Recorder files it as a permanent record. It stays on file and can be accessed by the public from that point forward.

Hickory County Record Fees

The marriage license fee in Hickory County is about $51. Certified copies of existing records cost $9 each. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. These fees are set by Missouri law and are the same in every county. Check with the Recorder about payment methods, as small county offices sometimes have limited options.

The state Bureau of Vital Records also charges about $9 for a marriage statement. VitalChek adds a service charge. The state document only covers basic details like names, date, and county. For the full certificate, you always need the Hickory County Recorder of Deeds in Hermitage.

Historical Hickory County Records

Hickory County was organized in 1845. Marriage records go back to the mid-1800s. These early records are on file at the Recorder of Deeds office and also on microfilm at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. The Archives has a County and Municipal Records Database you can browse online to see what is available for Hickory County. Archives staff also take research requests by mail.

The FamilySearch library holds microfilm of many Hickory County records. It is free for family history research. You can search the catalog on their website or visit a local FamilySearch center. The Missouri Recorders Association has contact details for all 114 county recorders in Missouri.

Cities in Hickory County

Hermitage is the county seat of Hickory County. Other small communities include Wheatland and Preston. All marriage licenses for Hickory County residents come from the Recorder of Deeds in Hermitage. No qualifying cities in this county have their own pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Hickory County is surrounded by other rural counties in the Ozarks. Each county has its own Recorder of Deeds that issues marriage licenses valid anywhere in Missouri.