Mississippi County Marriage Records

Mississippi County marriage records are on file at the Recorder of Deeds office in Charleston. The Recorder keeps all marriage licenses, certificates, and filed documents for the county. Mississippi County is in the far southeast corner of Missouri, along the Mississippi River. Whether you need a copy of a recent marriage certificate or want to search for an older record, the Recorder's office is where to go. You can visit, call, or mail a written request to start your search for Mississippi County marriage records.

Mississippi County Recorder of Deeds

The Mississippi County Recorder of Deeds manages all marriage records for the county. This office is in the Mississippi County Courthouse in Charleston. Staff issue new marriage licenses and maintain filed certificates. They can search records by name or date and provide copies on the spot during business hours.

The Mississippi County Recorder of Deeds website has office contact details and service descriptions. Marriage licenses in Mississippi County follow Missouri state law. Under RSMo Chapter 451, both people must show up together. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. No blood test is needed, and there is no waiting period. The license is issued the same day.

The screenshot below shows the Mississippi County Recorder's office page, where you can find hours and contact details.

The county website gives you a good starting point for contacting the office about marriage records.

How to Search Mississippi County Records

Visit the Recorder's office in Charleston for the fastest search. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate date of the marriage. Staff can pull the file and make copies on the spot. Plain copies cost about $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies are around $9 each.

The Mississippi County website also provides general information about county services, as shown below.

For a detailed search, calling or visiting the office is the best approach. Mail requests work too. Send the names, date, and a check or money order to the Recorder's office. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes a few weeks. Call ahead to confirm the exact fees.

Mississippi County Marriage License

Both people must appear at the Recorder's office in Charleston together. Each brings a valid photo ID and a Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring the month and year that marriage ended. No blood test. No wait. The license is issued the same day.

The marriage license fee is about $51 in Mississippi County. It stays valid for 30 days and works in any Missouri county per RSMo 451.090. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the Mississippi County Recorder within 15 days under RSMo 451.130. Missouri law now requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old, effective August 28, 2025.

Note: Mississippi County sits along the Missouri-Kentucky-Tennessee border, but a Missouri marriage license is only valid for ceremonies within Missouri.

State Records for Mississippi County Marriages

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds an index of marriages since July 1, 1948. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage that shows names, date, and county. For the full certificate with all details, contact the Mississippi County Recorder directly.

Order the state statement through the Bureau of Vital Records by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or online through VitalChek. VitalChek adds its own service fee. Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies require the person requesting them to have a direct and tangible interest in the record. The full certificate from the county is what most legal proceedings need.

Historical Mississippi County Marriage Records

Mississippi County was formed in 1845. Marriage records date back to the county's earliest years. The Recorder's office in Charleston has the original files. For older records, the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City holds microfilm copies of Mississippi County marriage records. FamilySearch provides free microfilm access at their centers. Between the archives and FamilySearch, most historical Mississippi County records can be found for genealogy research.

Public Access in Mississippi County

Marriage records are public in Missouri. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) guarantees access to government records. You can request any Mississippi County marriage record without being a party to the marriage. Plain copies are open to all. Certified copies need a direct and tangible interest under RSMo 193.255. The Missouri Recorders Association directory covers all 114 counties if you need to search elsewhere.

Additional Mississippi County Resources

If you need a name change after marriage in Mississippi County, you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Recorder's office. Banks, the Social Security Administration, and the Missouri DMV all want to see the certified document before they will update your records. Plan to get at least two or three certified copies at $9 each so you can send them to different places at the same time. This saves weeks of waiting compared to sending one copy around to each agency one at a time.

The Missouri Recorders Association keeps a full directory of every county Recorder in the state. If a marriage was filed in a different Missouri county, use the directory to find the right office. Some people are not sure where a marriage took place, especially if it was decades ago. In that case, try the Bureau of Vital Records first for a statewide search of the marriage index.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor Mississippi County in the Missouri Bootheel region. Records are kept in the county where the license was originally filed.