Monroe County Marriage Records
Monroe County marriage records are stored at the Recorder of Deeds office in Paris, Missouri. The office maintains marriage licenses, certificates, and all related filings. Monroe County has kept these records since its formation in the 1830s, and you can search for both old and new files. If you need a certified copy for a legal matter or just want to look something up, the Recorder is the right place to start. Staff take walk-ins, phone calls, and mail requests for Monroe County marriage records.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Recorder of Deeds
The Monroe County Recorder of Deeds handles all marriage record functions for the county. The office is in the Monroe County Courthouse in Paris. Staff issue new marriage licenses, keep certificates on file, and help people search for records. They are used to fielding requests from locals, out-of-state residents, and genealogy researchers alike.
The Monroe County Recorder of Deeds website has contact information and a general overview of the office. Missouri marriage licenses follow a uniform process statewide. Under RSMo Chapter 451, both people appear together with photo ID and Social Security numbers. No blood test. No waiting period. The license is issued the same day.
The Monroe County Recorder's office page is shown below, where you can find hours and contact details for the office in Paris.
The website is helpful for getting the basics, though you will need to call or visit for actual record searches.
| Office | Monroe County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Main St Paris, MO 65275 |
| Phone | (660) 327-5204 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | monroecountymo.gov |
How to Find Monroe County Marriage Records
Go to the Recorder's office in Paris for a quick search. Give the staff a name and rough date. They pull the file and make copies while you wait. Plain copies run about $1 to $2 per page, and certified copies cost around $9 each. Cash is the safest payment method.
The Monroe County website also shows the county's online presence. The screenshot below shows the general county website layout.
Online options may be limited for direct record searches, so phone or in-person visits are often needed. You can also send a mail request to the Recorder's office. Include the names of both spouses, the date, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Response time is typically two to three weeks.
Monroe County Marriage License Details
Both applicants must go to the Recorder of Deeds in Paris together. Each person needs photo ID and a Social Security number. If you were married before, you need the month and year it ended. There is no blood test. No waiting at all. You get the license the same day.
The fee in Monroe County is about $51. The license stays valid for 30 days throughout Missouri per RSMo 451.090. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Monroe County Recorder within 15 days under RSMo 451.130. Missouri requires both people to be at least 18, with no exceptions since August 28, 2025.
Note: Bring cash for the license fee; smaller county offices may not accept credit or debit cards.
State Marriage Certificates for Monroe County
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records has maintained an index of marriages since July 1, 1948. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage with names, date, and county. This is shorter than the full certificate from the Monroe County Recorder.
For the complete certificate with officiant and witness names, contact the Monroe County office. Order the state document through the Bureau of Vital Records by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek. VitalChek adds a service fee. Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies require a direct and tangible interest.
Historical Monroe County Marriage Records
Monroe County was organized in 1831. Marriage records stretch back to the county's early years. The Recorder's office in Paris has the original record books. The Missouri State Archives holds microfilm copies of Monroe County records for research. FamilySearch also offers free access to microfilm at their centers. These resources are valuable for genealogy work and historical research involving Monroe County marriages.
Public Access to Monroe County Records
Marriage records are public in Missouri under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can request to see a marriage record filed in Monroe County. Plain copies are available to all. Certified copies require a direct and tangible interest per RSMo 193.255. Personal data may be redacted. The Missouri Recorders Association can help you find other county offices if your search goes beyond Monroe County.
More Monroe County Resources
For name changes after marriage in Monroe County, certified copies of the marriage certificate are the key document. Banks, Social Security, the DMV, and insurance companies all ask for them. The Recorder in Paris charges about $9 per certified copy. Order a few at once so you can update everything in parallel rather than waiting to send a single copy from one agency to the next.
Monroe County is a rural county in northeast Missouri. The Recorder's office may have a smaller staff than larger counties, but they are knowledgeable about local records. If you are tracing a marriage from the 1800s, the staff have experience working with older record books. Some of these files are indexed in the Missouri State Archives, but the originals remain in the Monroe County Courthouse in Paris. Researchers can call ahead to arrange a time to view older records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Monroe County in northeast Missouri. Make sure you know which county issued the license before sending a records request.