Search Joplin Obituary Records

Joplin obituary records can be found through the Joplin Health Department, the Joplin Public Library, and the Jasper County Recorder's office. The city sits in Jasper County in the southwest corner of Missouri, near the Kansas and Oklahoma borders. Joplin has a deep newspaper history, with publications going back to the 1870s that carry death notices and obituaries. The Joplin Globe and other local papers have been indexed and digitized in several databases. This page covers where to find death records and obituary information for people connected to Joplin.

Jasper County Handles Joplin Records

Joplin is in Jasper County. The Jasper County Recorder of Deeds at 601 S. Pearl St., Suite 207, Joplin, MO 64801 handles marriage and land records. Call 417-358-0411. The Jasper County Records Center is at 125 N. Lincoln, Carthage, MO 64836, phone 417-358-0404. Some county records are in Carthage, which is the county seat, while others are at the Joplin branch.

For Joplin obituary research, the county recorder can provide marriage records and property records that help trace family connections. Death certificates go through the city health department or the state system, not through the recorder's office.

Joplin Death Certificates

The Joplin Health Department at 321 E 4th Street, Joplin, MO offers same-day printing of certified copies. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. Call 417-623-6122. Birth certificates for Missouri births after 1920 cost $15 each. Death certificates for Missouri deaths after 1980 cost $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional.

The Joplin Health Department provides same-day death certificate printing for records from 1980 forward.

You need to provide the date of birth or death, father's name, mother's maiden name, full name on the certificate, place of birth or death (city and county), the purpose for the copies, your relationship to the person, and a photo ID. Mailed applications must be notarized. Under RSMo 193.255, you need direct and tangible interest for certified copies. Checks should be made payable to "Joplin Health Department." Cash and credit cards are also accepted.

Joplin Library Obituary Resources

The Joplin Public Library at 1901 E 20th St, Joplin, MO 64804 has local history and genealogy resources. Call 417-623-7953. The Post Memorial Art Reference Library is also part of the Joplin library system, located at 300 S. Main Street. The Joplin Genealogical Center at 306 S. Joplin Avenue provides research assistance.

The Joplin Public Library holds local history files, newspaper archives, and genealogy tools for Joplin obituary research.

The library has access to subscription databases and newspaper microfilm. For Joplin obituary research, the newspaper archives are the strongest local tool. The library staff can help you navigate the different collections and find the right sources for the time period you are searching.

Joplin Newspaper Obituary Archives

Joplin has one of the richest newspaper histories in southwest Missouri. The Joplin Globe is available on Newspapers.com from 1921 to 1958 and on Newspaper Archive from 1898 to 2018. Current issues from January 2005 forward are on Genealogy Bank. The Joplin Morning Tribune covers 1911 to 2017 and the Joplin Sunday Globe covers 1914 to 2018.

The older Joplin papers go back even further. The Joplin Daily News ran from 1876 to 1900. The Joplin Daily Herald covered 1878 to 1898. The Joplin News-Herald ran from 1905 to 1953. These papers carried death notices, funeral announcements, and obituaries that are the main source for Joplin obituary research from the 1800s and early 1900s.

• Joplin Globe (1898-2018) on Newspaper Archive
• Joplin Morning Tribune (1911-2017)
• Joplin Daily News (1876-1900) and Daily Herald (1878-1898)
• Joplin News-Herald (1905-1953)

The Missouri Death Index also covers Joplin deaths from 1954 to 2024 and is free to search online.

Joplin Historical Archives

The Joplin Historical Society and the Historic Joplin website cover the city's past. The Joplin Museum Complex at 504 S. Schifferdecker Avenue has local history exhibits and archives. The Powers Museum at 1617 W. 7th St., Carthage, MO 64836 is run by the Jasper County Historical Society and keeps archives for the county. Call 417-623-2341.

The State Historical Society of Missouri holds additional newspaper collections and manuscript files that cover Jasper County. The Missouri State Library genealogy guide links to Find a Grave and veteran burial databases. The Missouri State Archives has death certificates from 1910 to about 1974 with scanned images, and Missouri Digital Heritage has free pre-1910 records.

Public Access to Joplin Obituary Data

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law (RSMo Chapter 610), public records are open for review. Vital records have limits. Under RSMo 193.245, recent death certificates are restricted to authorized parties. Death records over 50 years old are open to anyone under RSMo 193.225. For Joplin obituary research, the state archive databases, newspaper collections, and library resources are all available to the public without special access requirements.

Joplin has city-maintained cemetery records available through the City Clerk or Parks Department. Under RSMo 193.145, all deaths in Missouri must be filed with the local registrar within five days.

Note: The Jasper County Medical Examiner handles investigation of certain deaths in the county, including Joplin.

Tips for Searching Joplin Death Records

If you need a recent death certificate, start at the Joplin Health Department. They print same-day copies if you walk in with your ID and the right information. Mail requests must be notarized. For older Joplin obituary records, the free state databases at Missouri Digital Heritage and the State Archives do not need any proof of relationship for records past the 50 year mark.

Newspaper obituaries are often the richest source of personal detail for Joplin deaths. The Joplin Globe has been indexed across several databases, making it easier to search than many small-city papers. If you know even a rough date of death, you can often find the full obituary through Newspapers.com or Newspaper Archive. Cemetery records through Find a Grave can also confirm burial dates and family connections when other Joplin obituary sources fall short.

Nearby Cities

Springfield is about 70 miles east of Joplin and is the nearest qualifying city with additional obituary research resources.

Jasper County Records

Joplin is in Jasper County. For full county-level obituary records and courthouse details, visit the Jasper County page.