Search Texas County Marriage Records
Texas County marriage records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds in Houston, the county seat. As the largest county in Missouri by land area at 1,179 square miles, Texas County has a long history of record-keeping that survived both the Civil War and a courthouse fire in 1930. The Recorder's office offers a free online index search and has digital copies of records going back to July 2011. You can search for marriage licenses, get certified copies, or apply for a new license at the office in Houston.
Texas County Quick Facts
Texas County Recorder of Deeds
Lindsay Koch serves as the Texas County Recorder of Deeds. The office is at 210 North Grand Avenue, Suite 209, in Houston. You can call (417) 967-8438 to ask about a record, check hours, or set up a visit. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, but calling first can help if you need an older file or have specific questions about fees.
The Texas County website has details about the Recorder's office and other county services. Below is a look at the county portal.
The website is a useful starting point for contact info and directions. Texas County also has an online search option for some records, which sets it apart from many rural Missouri counties.
The Recorder's page gives you a closer look at what the office offers and how to access records.
| Office | Texas County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Lindsay Koch |
| Address | 210 N Grand Avenue, Suite 209 Houston, MO 65483 |
| Phone | (417) 967-8438 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | texascountymissouri.gov |
How to Search Texas County Marriage Records
Texas County offers a free online index search for marriage records. This is a big help if you want to check whether a record exists before making a trip to Houston. The index lets you search by name and see basic filing information. Digital copies of documents are available for records filed since July 2011. For anything older, you need to contact the Recorder directly or visit in person.
To search in person, go to the Recorder's office at 210 N Grand Avenue in Houston. Give the staff the name of at least one spouse and the rough date. They will pull the file and can make plain or certified copies. A certified copy of a marriage certificate costs about $9. Plain copies run a few dollars per page.
You can also request records by mail. Send a letter to the Texas County Recorder at 210 N Grand Avenue, Suite 209, Houston, MO 65483. Include the names, date, and a check for the copy fee. Add a stamped return envelope. Mail requests usually take two to three weeks depending on how busy the office is.
Getting a Marriage License in Texas County
Both people must appear at the Recorder's office in Houston. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Missouri does not require a blood test or a waiting period. You fill out the application, pay the fee, and get the license that day. The fee in Texas County is about $51. Cash is the safest payment option.
Under RSMo 451.090, the license stays valid for 30 days. It works in any county in Missouri. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Texas County Recorder within 15 days as required by RSMo 451.130. If either person was married before, they need the month and year that prior marriage ended. Missouri law sets the minimum age at 18 with no exceptions, effective August 28, 2025.
Note: Texas County covers 1,179 square miles, so plan your drive to the courthouse in Houston ahead of time.
Texas County Marriage Certificates
The Recorder in Houston has the original marriage certificates for Texas County. A certified copy shows both names, the date, location, officiant, and witnesses. This is the full document. You need it for name changes at the Social Security office, the DMV, banks, and insurance companies. Certified copies cost about $9 each from the Texas County Recorder.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City only has records from July 1, 1948 forward. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage, which is a shorter document showing just the names, date, and county. For the full certificate from a Texas County marriage, you must go to the county Recorder. The state statement can be ordered by mail, in person, or through VitalChek online.
Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies are restricted to people with a direct and tangible interest. That includes the person on the record, their spouse, parents, or someone with legal authority like a court order.
Historical Marriage Records in Texas County
Texas County has a remarkable record-keeping history. During the Civil War, county records were hidden in a cave to protect them from destruction. They survived. Then in 1930, the courthouse caught fire. Again, the records made it through. That resilience means Texas County has one of the more complete collections of marriage files in the Missouri Ozarks, stretching back well into the 1800s.
The Missouri State Archives holds microfilm copies of Texas County records. You can browse the County and Municipal Records Database to see what has been scanned. Not every record is online yet, but new files get added regularly. You can also submit a research request to Archives staff. Expect up to eight weeks for a response.
FamilySearch has additional free microfilm copies of Texas County marriage records. You can use them at any FamilySearch center. For deep genealogy research, the combination of the county Recorder, the State Archives, and FamilySearch gives you the best coverage of Texas County's long history.
Public Access to Texas County Records
Marriage records in Missouri are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under Chapter 610 RSMo keeps government records accessible. Anyone can ask to see a marriage license or certificate filed in Texas County. You do not need to be a party to the marriage.
Certified copies are more restricted under RSMo 193.255. You must have a direct and tangible interest. But viewing and plain copies are available to everyone. Social Security numbers and certain personal details may be redacted from public copies. The Missouri Recorders Association has a directory of all 114 county offices if you need records from a different county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Texas County in south-central Missouri. With Texas County being the largest by area in the state, it touches quite a few neighbors. Make sure you know which county issued the license before requesting records.