Butler County Marriage License Lookup
Butler County marriage license records are handled by Recorder of Deeds Beverly B. McQuay at the Butler County courthouse in Poplar Bluff. You can apply for a new marriage license or search for an existing one at the office on North Main Street. Butler County has kept marriage records since 1849 when the county was created. Online records are available through a Fidlar Technologies portal. This marriage license page covers how to apply for a Butler County marriage license and how to find records from local and state sources.
Butler County Marriage License Quick Facts
Butler County Marriage License Office
Beverly B. McQuay is the Butler County Recorder of Deeds. The Butler County office is at 100 North Main Street in Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901. Phone (573) 686-8082 for questions about marriage licenses or fees. The fax is (573) 686-8084 and email is bbmcquay@butlercountyassn.com. The Missouri Recorders Association lists the Butler County office in their statewide directory.
Marriage license applications are accepted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Both people must be present. You cannot apply by phone, mail, or online. Bring valid photo identification and your Social Security number. The Butler County Recorder will check your documents and process the marriage license application. The Butler County office also provides certified copies of past Butler County marriage license records upon request.
Butler County was created on February 27, 1849, from Wayne County. The county is in southeast Missouri with Poplar Bluff as its seat. Marriage records start from 1849 and there are no known courthouse disasters, so the collection is complete. The Butler County Museum has extra resources for those doing genealogical research on marriage records.
| Recorder | Beverly B. McQuay |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N Main St, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 |
| Phone | (573) 686-8082 |
| Fax | (573) 686-8084 |
| bbmcquay@butlercountyassn.com | |
| License Fee | ~$50.00 (confirm with office) |
How to Get a Butler County Marriage License
Walk into the Butler County Recorder's office with the person you plan to marry. Both of you need to be there. Bring a valid photo ID for your marriage license and know your Social Security number. Under RSMo 451.040, Missouri has a three-day marriage license waiting period between filing and pickup. A judge can waive this marriage license waiting period for good cause. No blood test is needed.
The minimum age is 18 to apply without help. If you are 15 to 17 years old, your parent or legal guardian must come to the Butler County Recorder's office and sign the marriage license application. This is the law under RSMo 451.090. The Recorder reviews all IDs carefully. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID will work.
Your Butler County marriage license is good for 30 days after pickup. The wedding ceremony can happen anywhere in Missouri. Clergy, judges, and authorized religious leaders may perform the ceremony under RSMo 451.100. After the wedding, the officiant must sign and return the license to the Butler County Recorder. This is required by RSMo 451.120 and makes the marriage official on the county's books.
Search Butler County Marriage Records
Butler County uses a Fidlar Technologies online portal for record searching. Free registration is required to get started. You can choose a pay-per-document option or a subscription plan. Marriage records are searchable online. Document images are available with paid access. Registered users get 24/7 access. Credit card payments are accepted for copies. Public terminals at the courthouse offer free access as well.
The Missouri State Archives holds historical Butler County marriage records on microfilm from 1849. The County and Municipal Records database has marriage licenses and applications you can browse. The Archives Research Room in Jefferson City accepts walk-in visitors. They also handle remote research requests for people who cannot visit in person.
The Fidlar Technologies portal provides online access to Butler County marriage license records and other recorded documents.
The Missouri Statewide Marriage License Database is a free tool covering 1805 to 2002. It includes Butler County records and lets you search by name across all Missouri counties. For court records like divorce filings, Missouri Case.net offers free public access. Marriage licenses are not available on Case.net. They are only through the Butler County Recorder or the State Archives.
Missouri Marriage License Information
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records can issue a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15. This is a short form with names, date, and county. It is not the same as a full certified copy from the Butler County Recorder, but it works for many legal situations. The Bureau is located in Jefferson City and accepts mail requests.
Visit the Missouri Governor's Portal for a general overview of marriage and divorce rules in the state. Butler County follows all state laws on marriage licenses. Public access to records is governed by RSMo 193.255, which makes most marriage records in Missouri available to anyone with proper identification and the required fee.
Note: Butler County marriage license fees and procedures may change. Always verify with the Butler County Recorder's office before making the trip to Poplar Bluff.
Nearby Counties
Counties near Butler County each have their own Recorder for marriage license services.