Access Scott County Marriage Records

Scott County marriage records are filed and kept by the Recorder of Deeds office in Benton, Missouri. The county has marriage records going all the way back to 1840. You can search for recent records online through the county's iCounty portal, which covers documents from 1999 forward. Older records are available in person at the courthouse. Whether you need to look up a past marriage, get a certified copy of a license, or apply for a new one, the Scott County Recorder is the primary office to contact. Staff process applications during set morning and afternoon hours, so plan your visit around those times.

Scott County Recorder of Deeds

Tara Mason is the Scott County Recorder of Deeds. Her office handles all marriage license applications, records completed certificates, and keeps the permanent files for the county. The office is in Benton at the Scott County Courthouse. Staff can look up past marriage records by name or date and provide copies of documents on file. The Recorder also manages land records, deeds of trust, and other county documents.

Marriage license applications in Scott County are accepted during specific hours. You can apply from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and again from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Both people who plan to marry must appear in person at the Recorder's office. Bring a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license or non-driver ID. You also need your Social Security number. If you do not have your Social Security card, an affidavit in lieu of SSN is available from the Recorder. The marriage license fee is $51 in Scott County. Payment can be made by cash, debit, or credit card. There is a $2 fee for card transactions. The office does not accept checks.

Visit the Scott County Recorder's website for more details on requirements and hours.

Search Scott County Records Online

Scott County has an online search portal through iCounty. This tool lets you look up marriage records and deeds from 1999 to the present. You can search by name, date, or document type. The portal requires a monthly registration fee for full access. It is a useful tool if you need to find a recent marriage record without making a trip to the courthouse in Benton.

The Scott County online records portal is shown below. This is the main page where you can begin your search.

If you find a record online, you still need to contact the Recorder's office for a certified copy. Online results show index information but not the full document. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $9 in Scott County. You can request copies by mail, by phone, or in person. For mail requests, include the names and dates you need along with payment.

Note: Online records in Scott County start from 1999, while in-office marriage records go back to 1840.

Scott County Marriage License Process

The Scott County Recorder of Deeds page gives details on license requirements and the application process.

Missouri law under Chapter 451 RSMo sets the rules for all counties. Both applicants must be at least 18. Those aged 16 or 17 need written parental consent. There is no blood test and no waiting period. Once issued, the Scott County marriage license is good for 30 days and can be used in any Missouri county. The person who performs the ceremony signs the license along with two witnesses, then returns it to the Scott County Recorder within 15 days. After it is filed, the marriage is a permanent public record.

Scott County accepts cash, debit, and credit cards for the $51 license fee. A $2 surcharge applies to card payments. They do not take checks. All documents recorded must be on 8.5 by 11 inch white paper, printed on one side only, with a 3-inch margin at the top of the first page. Non-standard documents may have a $25 extra fee.

Marriage Records Access in Scott County

Marriage records in Scott County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can ask to see a marriage record at the Recorder's office. You do not need to be named on the document. Certified copies are more restricted. Under RSMo 193.255, only people with a direct and tangible interest can get a certified copy. This includes the spouses listed on the record, their parents, legal representatives, and others who can show a legitimate need.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps a central index of marriages from July 1948 to the present. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage. It shows both names, the date, and the county. This is not the same as the full certificate from Scott County. For the complete document, contact the Recorder. You can also order state-level statements through VitalChek by phone or online, though they charge a service fee on top of the state fee.

Historical Scott County Marriage Records

Scott County has marriage records starting from 1840. Land transfer records go back to 1820, and deeds of trust start from 1869. The oldest marriage files are kept at the courthouse in Benton. The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City also holds microfilm copies of Scott County marriage records from 1840. You can browse their County and Municipal Records Database online to see what has been digitized.

FamilySearch has microfilm copies of Scott County marriage records from 1840 available for genealogy research. This is a free service. You can search the catalog online and view records at a FamilySearch center. The Missouri Recorders Association provides a statewide directory of all county recorders if you need to reach out to other offices for related records.

Note: Scott County marriage records from 1840 to 1998 are only available in person at the courthouse in Benton.

Cities in Scott County

Scott County includes the cities of Benton, Sikeston, Chaffee, Oran, and several smaller communities. Benton is the county seat. Sikeston is the largest city in the county. All marriage licenses for residents of these towns are issued by the Scott County Recorder of Deeds in Benton. No qualifying cities with dedicated pages are in Scott County, so residents should contact the county office directly for all marriage record requests.

Nearby Counties

If you live near the border of Scott County and another county, make sure you know which county your address falls in. You can apply for a marriage license in any Missouri county, but the record is filed where the license was issued.