Marriage records in Howell County, Missouri, can be accessed through several channels. HowellCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Howell County Recorder of Deeds, visit the office in person in West Plains, or submit a request by mail. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records maintains a central registry of marriages and divorces statewide and offers an additional path for obtaining copies.
Howell County Marriage Records Search
In Missouri, the Recorder of Deeds in each county is responsible for recording and maintaining marriage licenses and certificates. The Howell County Recorder of Deeds, located in the county seat of West Plains, keeps marriage records on file for marriages that were licensed and recorded in the county. The collection includes marriage license applications, issued licenses, and returned marriage certificates filed after the ceremony was performed.
Historical marriage records for Howell County date back to the mid-1800s. For older or hard-to-find records, the Missouri State Archives may have county records available on microfilm. The state Bureau of Vital Records also holds marriage records from July 1948 forward.
Howell County Recorder of Deeds
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Howell County
Fees for marriage record copies in Howell County follow Missouri statutory fee schedules. The table below summarizes typical costs. Contact the Recorder of Deeds to confirm current fees before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage license/certificate | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same record, same order) | $15.00 |
| State vital records certified copy (from Bureau of Vital Records) | $15.00 |
Fees cited reflect standard Missouri county recorder and state vital records office charges per RSMo §59.319 and related statutes. Processing times at the county level are typically same-day for in-person requests. Mail requests generally take 2–4 weeks depending on volume. State-level requests through the Bureau of Vital Records may take several weeks unless expedited processing is selected.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Howell County
There are three main ways to get a copy of a Howell County marriage record:
Online
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records accepts online orders for marriage records from July 1948 to the present through its VitalChek partnership portal. You will need:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of marriage
- County where the license was issued
- Valid credit or debit card for payment
An additional processing fee is charged by VitalChek on top of the state copy fee.
In Person
Visit the Howell County Recorder of Deeds at the courthouse in West Plains during regular business hours. Walk-in requests are accepted. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to pay the copy fee by cash, check, or money order. Staff can typically provide copies the same day.
By Mail
To request a marriage record copy by mail from the county, send the following to the Howell County Recorder of Deeds:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- A copy of your valid photo ID
- A check or money order for the applicable fee, payable to the Howell County Recorder of Deeds
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
Alternatively, you can mail a request to the state office:
The state office requires a completed Application for Marriage/Divorce Record, available for download from the Bureau of Vital Records website. Include payment and a photocopy of your ID with the mailed application.
For genealogical research involving older Howell County marriage records not available through the Recorder or the state office, check the Missouri State Archives research collections, which include county records on microfilm. HowellCourt.us also provides guidance on locating Howell County public records online.