Ralls County Marriage Records

Ralls County marriage records are stored at the Recorder of Deeds in New London. The office keeps all marriage licenses, certificates, and related filings for the county. Ralls County is a small, rural county in northeast Missouri along the Mississippi River. If you need a copy of a marriage record or want to search for an old one, the Recorder's staff can help you out. Records go back to the 1820s. You can visit the courthouse in person, call the office, or send a mail request for Ralls County marriage records.

Ralls County Recorder of Deeds

The Ralls County Recorder of Deeds is the official keeper of marriage records in the county. The office issues licenses, records marriages after the ceremony, and stores the original certificates. Located in the courthouse in New London, the Recorder serves all residents of Ralls County. Certified copies cost about $9 and plain copies run $1 to $2 per page.

Ralls County is one of Missouri's oldest counties, formed in 1820. Marriage records stretch back to that era, though the oldest files can take more time to locate. Both people applying for a license must appear in person with photo ID and a Social Security number. Missouri requires no blood test and no wait time. The fee runs about $51 and the license lasts 30 days under RSMo 451.090.

The state-level Sunshine Law portal, shown below, outlines the public records framework that governs access to Ralls County marriage records and all other Missouri government records.

Under that law, marriage records are public and viewable by anyone who asks.

How to Find Ralls County Marriage Records

Visit the Recorder's office in New London with the full name of at least one spouse and an estimated date. Staff will search the index and pull the record. You can view it and order copies there. Certified copies carry the Ralls County seal and are valid for legal uses like name changes or court filings.

For a mail request, write to the Recorder with the names, date, and a check or money order. Include a stamped return envelope. Ralls County does not have an online search portal for marriage records. All requests go through the office. Processing takes about two weeks by mail.

Marriage License in Ralls County

Both people must come to the Recorder's office together. Bring a valid photo ID and Social Security number. No blood test. No wait. You pay, sign, and leave with the license that day. It works anywhere in Missouri for 30 days.

After the wedding, the officiant has 15 days to return the signed license to the Ralls County Recorder per RSMo 451.130. If either person was married before, you need the month and year the prior marriage ended. Both people must be 18 or older. Missouri removed all exceptions to this rule as of August 28, 2025.

Note: Call the Ralls County Recorder before visiting to verify fees and accepted payment methods.

Ralls County Marriage Certificates

The original marriage certificate is at the Ralls County Recorder's office. A certified copy has the full details: names, date, place, officiant, and witnesses. It costs about $9. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records offers a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for marriages from July 1, 1948 forward. That statement only has names, date, and county. Order from the Bureau or through VitalChek.

Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies require a direct and tangible interest. The Missouri Sunshine Law lets anyone view records or get plain copies. The Missouri State Archives and FamilySearch hold older Ralls County marriage records on microfilm. The Missouri Recorders Association directory covers all 114 counties.

More Resources for Ralls County

If you just got married in Ralls County and need to change your name, you will need certified copies of the marriage license. The Recorder in New London charges about $9 per copy. Social Security, the DMV, your bank, and your employer may all need to see the document. Get several copies at once to speed up the process.

Ralls County does not have a residency requirement for marriage licenses. Anyone from any state can apply for a license at the Recorder's office in New London. Both people need to show up together with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. The license works in every Missouri county for 30 days after it is issued. If your wedding will be in a different county, that is fine. Just make sure the officiant sends the signed license back to the Ralls County Recorder within 15 days. The officiant can be a judge, ordained minister, or religious society leader under Missouri law.

For legal questions about marriage in Missouri, the Recorder's staff can answer basic procedural questions. For anything more complex, contact a family law attorney in the area. Missouri Legal Services can help if you meet income guidelines. The Chapter 451 statutes cover all the rules about marriage licenses, who can perform ceremonies, and the recording requirements that apply in Ralls County and every other Missouri county. Under Missouri law, judges, ordained ministers, and religious society leaders can all perform marriage ceremonies.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ralls County in northeast Missouri. Confirm which county holds your record before making a request.