Find Worth County Marriage Records
Worth County marriage records are on file at the Recorder of Deeds office in Grant City, the county seat. Worth County is the smallest county by area in Missouri, but it has kept marriage records since 1861 when it was organized. The Recorder handles license applications, certified copies, and record searches. If you need to look up a marriage filed in Worth County or get a copy of a certificate, the office in Grant City is the place to start. All requests are handled in person, by phone, or by mail.
Worth County Quick Facts
Worth County Recorder of Deeds
The Worth County Recorder of Deeds office is at 11 West 4th Street in Grant City. The mailing address is PO Box 14, Grant City, MO 64456. You can call (660) 564-2484 to ask about records, check hours, or find out what you need to bring for a license. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours.
Worth County is small. The population sits around 2,000 people, and the Recorder's office handles a low volume of filings compared to larger counties. That can actually work in your favor. Staff are more likely to have time to help with detailed searches. If you are looking for a specific marriage record, they can usually locate it quickly.
The Missouri Recorders Association website shown below has a directory of all 114 county Recorders in the state, including Worth County. It can help you find contact info for any county office.
The directory is useful if you need records from more than one county or are not sure where a marriage was filed.
| Office | Worth County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 West 4th Street PO Box 14 Grant City, MO 64456 |
| Phone | (660) 564-2484 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
How to Search Worth County Marriage Records
To search for a marriage record in Worth County, call the Recorder at (660) 564-2484 or visit the office in Grant City. Give them the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate date of the marriage. Staff will check the index and pull the file. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies run about $9.
Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the Worth County Recorder at PO Box 14, Grant City, MO 64456. Include the names, the date of the marriage, and a check for the copy fee. Put a stamped return envelope in with the request. Most mail requests are processed in two to three weeks.
Worth County does not have an online search portal. All searches go through the Recorder's office. For a wider search, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records has marriage records from July 1, 1948 forward. The state can issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage showing names, date, and county. But the full certificate only comes from the Worth County Recorder.
Getting a Marriage License in Worth County
Both people must come to the Worth County Recorder's office in person. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. Missouri does not need a blood test. There is no wait time either. You fill out the forms, pay the fee, and walk out with the license.
The fee is about $51. Cash is the safe choice. Under RSMo 451.090, the license stays good for 30 days and can be used anywhere in Missouri. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Worth County Recorder within 15 days under RSMo 451.130. If either person was married before, they need to know the month and year that marriage ended. Missouri requires both people to be at least 18 years old as of August 28, 2025.
Worth County Marriage Certificates
A certified copy from Worth County includes the full details. Both names, the date, location, officiant, and witnesses. This is the document you need for name changes, legal filings, and benefits updates. The cost is about $9 per copy.
The state-level Certified Statement from the Bureau of Vital Records is shorter. It only confirms the marriage happened and lists names, date, and county. You can order it by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek online. Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies require a direct and tangible interest in the record. That means you, your spouse, a parent, or someone with legal authority.
Historical Marriage Records in Worth County
Worth County was organized on February 8, 1861. Marriage records go back to that year. Despite being the smallest county in Missouri by area, Worth County has maintained a steady collection of records for over 160 years. The Recorder in Grant City is the primary source for these files.
The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City holds microfilm copies of many Worth County records. Browse the County and Municipal Records Database online to see what has been scanned. You can submit a research request, but responses take up to eight weeks. FamilySearch is another free option with microfilm copies at any FamilySearch center. For genealogy researchers, these three sources cover most of what Worth County has to offer.
Public Access to Worth County Records
Marriage records in Missouri are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under Chapter 610 RSMo ensures open access. You do not have to be a party to the marriage to view a record. Anyone can ask to see a marriage file in Worth County.
Certified copies are restricted under RSMo 193.255 to people with a direct and tangible interest. Plain copies and viewing are available to everyone. Social Security numbers may be redacted. The Missouri Recorders Association lists all 114 county offices if you need to find the right one for a different county.
Note: Worth County does not offer online searches for marriage records.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Worth County in northwest Missouri. Worth County sits along the Iowa border. If you need records from a nearby county, contact that county's Recorder of Deeds.