Find Stoddard County Marriage Records
Stoddard County marriage records are on file at the Recorder of Deeds office in Bloomfield, the county seat. The office has kept marriage licenses and certificates since 1863, which makes it one of the more complete collections in southeast Missouri. If you need to look up a marriage license or get a certified copy of a certificate, the Recorder of Deeds is the place to start. You can search in person, by phone, or by mail. Staff can pull records by name or date and help you find what you need from the Stoddard County files.
Stoddard County Quick Facts
Stoddard County Recorder of Deeds
Candy Collier serves as the Stoddard County Recorder of Deeds. Her office handles all marriage license applications and maintains the county's collection of marriage certificates. The office is at 401 South Prairie Street in Bloomfield. You can call ahead at (573) 568-3444 to check hours or ask about a specific record. Walk-ins are welcome during normal business hours, but calling first can save you a trip if the file you need takes time to pull.
Stoddard County was organized in 1835, and the courthouse has held up through some rough times. In September 1864, the courthouse burned down during the Civil War. The good news is that the marriage records were saved. That is why Stoddard County still has files going back to 1863. Many southeast Missouri counties lost their records to fire or flood, but Stoddard County kept theirs intact. If you need a record from the 1860s or later, there is a strong chance the Recorder has it.
| Office | Stoddard County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Candy Collier |
| Address | 401 South Prairie Street Bloomfield, MO 63825 |
| Phone | (573) 568-3444 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
How to Search Stoddard County Marriage Records
To search marriage records in Stoddard County, you visit the Recorder of Deeds in Bloomfield or call the office. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the rough date of the marriage. The staff will search the index and pull the file. They can make plain copies or certified copies right there. A certified copy of a marriage certificate runs about $9 in Stoddard County.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records portal shows how to request a marriage statement from the state level. This is useful if you are not sure which county the marriage was filed in.
The state-level statement only shows the names, date, and county. For the full certificate from a Stoddard County marriage, you still need to contact the Recorder in Bloomfield.
Mail requests are another option. Send a letter to the Recorder at 401 South Prairie Street, Bloomfield, MO 63825 with the names of the spouses, the date of the marriage, and a check for the copy fee. Include a stamped return envelope. Processing times depend on how busy the office is, but most mail requests get handled within two to three weeks.
Getting a Marriage License in Stoddard County
Both people who plan to marry must appear at the Stoddard County Recorder of Deeds in person. You cannot send just one person. Bring a valid photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, you need to know when that marriage ended. Missouri has no blood test and no waiting period. You fill out the forms, pay the fee, and leave with the license the same day.
The license fee in Stoddard County is about $51. Cash is the safe choice for payment. Under RSMo 451.090, the license is good for 30 days from the date it gets issued. You can use it in any county in Missouri. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Stoddard County Recorder within 15 days per RSMo 451.130. Once filed, the marriage becomes a permanent record in Stoddard County.
Missouri law now requires both parties to be at least 18 years old. There are no exceptions. This went into effect August 28, 2025.
Stoddard County Marriage Certificates
A certified copy of a marriage certificate from the Stoddard County Recorder shows the full details of the marriage. That includes the names of both spouses, the date, the location, the officiant, and the witnesses. This is the document most people need for name changes, benefits updates, and legal matters. The fee is about $9 per certified copy.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City can issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage. But that statement only has the names, date, and county. It does not have all the details the full certificate does. The state has marriage records starting from July 1, 1948. For marriages before that date, you must go to the Stoddard County Recorder in Bloomfield. You can order the state statement by mail, in person, or through VitalChek online.
Under RSMo 193.255, only people with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies. That includes the person named on the record, their spouse, a parent, or someone with legal authority such as a court order.
Historical Marriage Records in Stoddard County
Stoddard County has marriage records from 1863 to the present. The courthouse fire of September 1864 could have wiped out everything, but the records survived. That makes Stoddard County one of the few southeast Missouri counties with a nearly unbroken collection going back to the Civil War era. Researchers looking for old marriage records should contact the Recorder in Bloomfield first.
The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City holds microfilm copies of many Stoddard County records. You can browse the County and Municipal Records Database online to see what has been scanned. Not everything is digital yet, but new files get added on a regular basis. You can also submit a research request to the Archives, though responses may take up to eight weeks.
FamilySearch has additional microfilm copies of Stoddard County marriage records. These are free to access at any FamilySearch center. For genealogy research that goes back to the 1800s, the combination of the county Recorder, State Archives, and FamilySearch gives you the best shot at finding what you need.
Public Access to Stoddard County Records
Marriage records in Missouri are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under Chapter 610 RSMo makes sure government records stay open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the marriage to request a record from Stoddard County. Anyone can ask to see a marriage license or certificate on file.
Certified copies have a tighter rule. Under RSMo 193.255, you must show a direct and tangible interest. Plain copies and viewing access are open to all. Social Security numbers and some personal details may be redacted. The Recorder's office in Bloomfield can explain what is available and what the costs are for different types of copies.
More Stoddard County Resources
The Missouri Recorders Association has a directory of all 114 county Recorders in Missouri. You can use it to find the right office if you are not sure where a marriage was filed. It lists phone numbers, addresses, and links for each county including Stoddard County.
If you need a certified copy of your Stoddard County marriage license for a name change, plan to get more than one. The Social Security office, DMV, and banks each want to see the original certified copy. Getting three or four copies from the Recorder at $9 each lets you send them to multiple agencies at the same time instead of waiting for one to come back before you send it to the next.
Note: The Stoddard County Recorder does not currently offer online record searches.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Stoddard County in southeast Missouri. If you are not sure which county holds the marriage record you need, check where the license was actually issued. Records stay in the county where they were filed.