Search Shelby County Marriage Records

Shelby County marriage records go back to 1835, making this one of the oldest collections in Missouri. The Recorder of Deeds office in Shelbyville manages all marriage license applications, files completed certificates, and provides public access to the records. You can search for recent records online through the SFFlexSuite system, which covers 1992 to the present. A separate historical index on MOGenWeb covers 1835 through 2001. If you need a certified copy, want to check a date, or plan to apply for a new marriage license, the Shelby County Recorder is where it all starts.

Shelby County Recorder of Deeds

Audrey Buzzard is the Shelby County Recorder of Deeds. The office is at 100 East Main Street in Shelbyville. This is where all marriage license applications are processed, where completed certificates are filed after ceremonies, and where the public can request copies of marriage records. Staff can look up records by name or date and provide both certified and regular copies of documents on file.

To get a marriage license in Shelby County, both people must show up in person at the Recorder's office. Bring your driver's license or state ID and your Social Security card. Missouri law does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period. You fill out the application, pay the $46 fee, and the license is ready the same day. The office accepts checks or cash for marriage license fees but does not take credit cards for this service. The license is good for 30 days from the date it is issued and can be used anywhere in Missouri.

You can visit the Shelby County Recorder's website for more details on services and contact information. The office also offers an online marriage license application to help speed up the process when you arrive.

Search Shelby County Records Online

Shelby County has two ways to search marriage records online. The SFFlexSuite Web system covers records from 1992 to the present. This tool requires account registration. It is useful for finding recent marriage records without making a trip to Shelbyville. The second option is the historical index on MOGenWeb, which covers land and marriage records from 1835 through 2001. This older database is a good starting point for genealogy research or if you need to find a marriage from the 1800s or early 1900s.

The Shelby County Recorder website provides links to both online tools. Below is the Recorder's main page.

Online results show index data but not the full document. If you find a record you need, contact the Recorder's office for a certified copy. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $9. Regular copies are $1 per document for up to five pages. You can prepay for copies and have them mailed or emailed to you, which is handy if you live far from Shelbyville.

Note: The SFFlexSuite system requires registration, while the MOGenWeb index is open to the public.

Shelby County Marriage License Info

The Shelby County Recorder of Deeds page below shows additional details about marriage license requirements and office services.

Missouri law under Chapter 451 RSMo governs marriage licenses statewide. Both applicants must be 18 or older. Those aged 16 or 17 may apply with written parental consent. The person who performs the ceremony can be a judge, clergy member, or another authorized individual under Section 451.040. Two witnesses must be present. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and has 15 days to return it to the Shelby County Recorder. That filed license becomes the permanent marriage record.

Shelby County extends office hours in December, with some Saturdays open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This can be helpful if you need records or a license during the holiday season. The office also provides a Fraud Alert service for property records. While mainly for land documents, it shows the office takes record security seriously. You can sign up for free alerts if documents are filed under your name in Shelby County.

Accessing Marriage Records

Marriage records in Shelby County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can ask to see them at the Recorder's office. Getting a certified copy is a bit more restricted. Under RSMo 193.255, you must have a direct and tangible interest in the record. This includes the spouses named on it, their parents, legal representatives, and others with a legitimate legal reason.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps a central index of marriages from July 1948 onward. They can issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage. It shows both names, the date, and the county. For the full certificate with all the details, you need to go through the Shelby County Recorder. The state office accepts requests in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online.

Historical Shelby County Records

Shelby County has one of the older marriage record collections in Missouri, going all the way back to 1835. These records are kept at the courthouse in Shelbyville and on microfilm at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. The State Archives has a County and Municipal Records Database that you can browse online to see what has been digitized from Shelby County.

FamilySearch holds microfilm copies of Shelby County marriage records. This free resource works well for genealogy research. Search the catalog online or visit a local FamilySearch center to view records. The Missouri Recorders Association maintains a directory of all 114 county recorder offices in the state, which helps if you need to check with neighboring counties for related records.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelby County includes the city of Shelbyville, which is the county seat, plus smaller communities like Bethel, Clarence, Hunnewell, Leonard, and Shelbina. All marriage licenses for residents of these towns are issued by the Shelby County Recorder of Deeds in Shelbyville. No qualifying cities with dedicated pages are located in Shelby County.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Shelby County in northeast Missouri. A Missouri marriage license can be used in any county, but the filing is done in the county where the license was issued.