Marriage records in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, can be accessed through several channels. CapeGirardeauCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also contact the Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds directly, visit the office in person, or submit a request by mail. For older or state-level records, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records is an additional resource. Below you'll find details on fees, ordering options, and what to expect.
Cape Girardeau Marriage Records Search
In Missouri, marriage licenses are issued by the Recorder of Deeds in each county. The Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds maintains local marriage records, including marriage licenses issued within the county and returned marriage certificates filed after the ceremony. Historical marriage records dating back to the county's earliest filings are also held by this office.
The Recorder of Deeds office is located at the county courthouse in Jackson, the county seat:
Marriage records in Missouri are generally considered public records. Anyone may request a copy, though certified copies—needed for legal purposes—may have specific identification or eligibility requirements depending on the issuing office's policies. For genealogical or historical research, the Missouri State Archives may hold older county-level vital records as well.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Cape Girardeau
Fees for marriage record copies in Cape Girardeau County are set by the Recorder of Deeds office. The table below reflects standard Missouri county recorder fees. Contact the office directly to confirm current pricing, as fees may change.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage license/certificate | $5.00 |
| Each additional copy (same record, same order) | $3.00 |
| Search fee (if record year/details unknown) | Varies — contact the office |
Fees are typically payable by cash, check, or money order made out to the Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds. Credit card acceptance may vary—call ahead if you plan to pay by card.
Processing for in-person requests is usually same-day. Mail requests generally take 5–10 business days depending on volume and mail delivery times.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Cape Girardeau
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Cape Girardeau County:
Online
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services allows residents to order copies of vital records, including marriage records, through the state's vital records portal. The state office maintains records of marriages that occurred in Missouri. Processing times and fees through the state system may differ from those at the county level.
In Person
Visit the Recorder of Deeds office at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse during regular business hours:
Walk-ins are accepted. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You'll need to provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of the marriage
- Payment for the applicable fee
By Mail
Send your request to the Recorder of Deeds at the address above. Include:
- A written request with the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- A photocopy of your valid government-issued ID
- A check or money order for the appropriate fee, payable to the Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
If you are unsure which county the marriage took place in, or if you need a record from before the county began keeping records, try the state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The state office holds Missouri marriage records and can conduct broader searches.
For additional Cape Girardeau County information and resources, visit CapeGirardeauCourt.us.