What the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Does
The Recorder of Deeds records and preserves documents that affect real estate and certain personal records. That includes deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, plats, easements and releases. The office also issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. It is a county Revenue Department office, distinct from the Circuit Clerk, who keeps court case files.
Recording a document gives public notice of an interest in property. A title search relies on the Recorder's index. A look at the official Recorder of Deeds page shows the office's services and contact options.
The Recorder of Deeds page is the official home for recorded-document copies and marriage-license services.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Contact
The office is in downtown Clayton, near the courts and county government complex. Bring document details such as names, dates or book and page numbers to speed up a search.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-7100
Mon-Fri business hours
The Recorder is one block from the Courts Building. Recorded land documents and marriage records are handled here, while court case files go to the Circuit Clerk at 105 South Central Avenue.
Recorded Documents in St. Louis County
The Recorder's index covers a broad set of real-estate and related documents. The list below shows the common types and what each records.
- Deeds. Transfers of real-property ownership.
- Deeds of trust and mortgages. Loans secured by property.
- Liens. Claims against property, including mechanic's liens and tax liens.
- Releases and satisfactions. Records that a loan or lien is paid.
- Plats and surveys. Subdivision and boundary records.
- Easements. Rights to use another's land.
A recorded document is indexed by the names of the parties and by a book and page or instrument number. Title companies, lenders and homeowners use the index to confirm ownership and find liens before a sale or refinance.
St. Louis County Marriage Records
The Recorder of Deeds issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records back to 1877. Marriage-license applications are handled by virtual appointment, with both parties attending and showing valid government-issued ID. The full application process and fees are covered on the marriage and divorce records page.
To request a copy of an existing marriage record, use the marriage copy order form and mail or drop it at the Recorder of Deeds, Attn: Marriage License. The Sunshine request portal also routes county records requests to the right custodian.
The portal lets a requester submit and track a records request online, which routes to the correct county office.
St. Louis County Recorder Fees
Marriage copy fees are set by the office. Out-of-state mailed payments require a money order. The table below lists the marriage-record fees from official county snippets.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license and keepsake license | $48.00 |
| Certified marriage copy | $9.00 each |
| Certified application copy | $9.00 each |
| Photocopy of marriage license | $2.00 each |
| Mailing postage | $1.50; add $1.00 for more than three copies |
| Online order service fee | $10.00 plus copy fee and postage |
Payment options for in-person or mailed pickup include cash, check, credit or debit card and money order. Online orders take credit card only. Convenience fees apply: credit cards 2.29 percent with a $2.00 minimum, debit cards 0.85 percent and eChecks a flat $0.50.
How to Request a St. Louis County Marriage Copy
The marriage copy order form captures the details the office needs to find a record. The fields below come from the official form.
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Name of First Party (prior to marriage) | Full prior name. |
| Name of Second Party (prior to marriage) | Full prior name. |
| Date of Marriage | Date of the marriage. |
| Number of Copies | Quantity for the selected copy type. |
| Type of Copy | Certified License, Certified Application or Photocopy. |
| Mail-to Name and Address | Recipient name and mailing address. |
| Contact Phone / Email | For follow-up on the request. |
- Complete the marriage copy order form with party names and the marriage date.
- Pick the copy type and quantity, then total the fee.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope or add postage.
- Make the check or money order payable to Recorder of Deeds; out of state, money order only.
- Mail to Recorder of Deeds, Attn: Marriage License, 41 South Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105.
Note: A certified marriage copy at $9.00 is the version accepted for name changes, Social Security and immigration; a $2.00 photocopy is for personal reference only.