Ste. Genevieve County Marriage Records

Ste. Genevieve County marriage records stretch back to the early 1800s, among the oldest in all of Missouri. The Recorder of Deeds office in the town of Ste. Genevieve handles all marriage license applications and record requests for the county. Organized in 1812, this county has deep roots in Missouri's French colonial past, and some of the earliest marriage documents reflect that heritage. If you need a license, a certified copy, or help searching through old records, the courthouse on South Third Street is where to start.

Ste. Genevieve County Recorder of Deeds

Mary Jane Fallert White serves as the Ste. Genevieve County Recorder of Deeds. Her office is in Room 3 of the county courthouse on South Third Street in the town of Ste. Genevieve. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff handle marriage license applications, issue certified copies, and assist with record searches. Because Ste. Genevieve is a smaller county, wait times are usually short and the staff can give you individual help with your request.

The Ste. Genevieve County website has general information about county departments and services. For specific questions about marriage records, the best approach is to call the recorder's office at (573) 883-2706 or send an email to mjwhite@stegencounty.org. The staff can confirm current fees, check if a record is on file, and let you know what documents to bring for your visit.

The county website above links to various departments including the Recorder of Deeds where Ste. Genevieve County marriage records are maintained.

Getting a License in Ste. Genevieve County

To get a marriage license in Ste. Genevieve County, both people must come to the recorder's office in person. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security card. If either person was married before, you will need to know when that marriage ended. Missouri law does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period. You can apply and take your license home the same day you visit.

The license fee in Ste. Genevieve County runs between $46 and $51. Call the office to get the exact current amount. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $9. Payment methods may vary, so ask when you call. Once the license is issued, it is valid for 30 days. The ceremony must take place in Missouri. Under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 451, Section 451.130, the person who performs your ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Ste. Genevieve County Recorder of Deeds within 15 days.

All applicants must be 18 or older. Missouri changed its law as of August 28, 2025, removing any exception for minors. Parental consent no longer works. Judicial approval is gone too. The minimum age is 18 with no way around it.

Note: Verify the exact license fee with the Ste. Genevieve County Recorder of Deeds before your visit, as fees may have changed.

Historical Marriage Records in Ste. Genevieve County

Ste. Genevieve County has some of the oldest marriage records in Missouri. The county was organized in 1812, and the town of Ste. Genevieve is recognized as one of the oldest permanent European settlements west of the Mississippi River. Marriage records from the early 1800s are available at the recorder's office. Some of these documents date to the French colonial period and carry unique historical value for researchers.

The Missouri State Archives holds microfilm copies of Ste. Genevieve County marriage records from the early 1800s. The County and Municipal Records Database provides online access to some digitized records. You can browse by county and record type. Not all records have been scanned yet, but the collection is growing. For records not online, submit a research request through the archives website. Staff will search up to a 10-year range and you can send three requests at a time.

FamilySearch also has microfilm copies of Ste. Genevieve County marriage records from the early 1800s. These free collections are an excellent starting point for genealogy research. The indexes can help you pin down names and approximate dates before you go to the trouble of ordering certified copies from the county office.

Because of the county's age and its French colonial roots, some early marriage records may use different naming conventions or formats than what you see in modern documents. The recorder's staff in Ste. Genevieve is familiar with these older records and can help you navigate them.

Missouri State Marriage Record Resources

Missouri's central registry of marriages goes back to July 1, 1948. The Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City issues certified marriage statements. A statement includes the names of both spouses, the marriage date, and the county where it took place. It does not have all the details from the original certificate. For the full document, contact the Ste. Genevieve County Recorder of Deeds.

You can order a marriage statement through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Bureau of Vital Records. VitalChek charges an extra service fee. Under Chapter 193 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, certified copies are restricted to people with a direct and tangible interest in the record. The Sunshine Law in Chapter 610 gives broad public access to government records, though vital records have their own set of rules on top of that. The Missouri Recorders Association has contact information for all 114 county recorder offices statewide.

Cities in Ste. Genevieve County

Ste. Genevieve County has no cities large enough for their own page on this site. The town of Ste. Genevieve is the county seat and the main population center. Other small communities in the county include Bloomsdale and St. Mary. All residents file for marriage licenses at the county recorder's office on South Third Street in Ste. Genevieve. There are no separate city-level vital records offices in the county.

Nearby Counties

Ste. Genevieve County borders several other counties in eastern Missouri along the Mississippi River. You can apply for a marriage license at any county recorder's office in the state. The license is good for 30 days and works anywhere in Missouri.