Miller County Obituary Search

Miller County obituary records are kept at the Recorder of Deeds in Tuscumbia, the Miller County Museum and Historical Society, and the Missouri State Archives. Tuscumbia serves as the county seat, though Eldon and Lake Ozark are the larger population centers. The county has held records since 1837, making it one of the older record-keeping jurisdictions in central Missouri. Death certificates, obituary collections, and probate files are the main tools for tracing a death in Miller County. This page explains where to look and how to get copies of the records you need.

Miller County Recorder of Deeds

The Miller County Recorder of Deeds is at 2001 Highway 52, Tuscumbia, MO 65082. The Recorder is Kathy Plemmons. Call 573-369-1935 or fax 573-369-1939. Email is kplemmons@millercountymo.org. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This office holds marriage records from 1837 and land records from the same year. These are some of the oldest continuous county records in the Lake of the Ozarks region.

The Miller County Clerk at PO Box 12 in Tuscumbia holds birth records from 1883 to 1891 and various other county records. You can reach them at 573-369-2731. The Circuit Court Clerk has court records from 1837 and divorce records. If you are researching a Miller County obituary and need to find probate or divorce filings tied to a deceased person, the Circuit Court is the right office to contact.

Miller County Museum and Obituary Collections

The Miller County Museum and Historical Society is at 2005 MO-52, Tuscumbia, MO 65082. Call 573-369-3500 or email millercountymuseum@att.net. This museum runs a research library that includes marriage records, family histories, obituaries, and Civil War impact records. They also sell publications related to Miller County history. Staff can help with research inquiries, and they have an extensive local records collection. For anyone searching for a Miller County obituary, the museum is one of the best local resources because they keep organized obituary files that are not available online.

The Heartland Regional Library System serves Miller County with locations in Eldon and other towns. These branches may have local newspaper archives on microfilm that contain death notices and obituaries from past decades. Check with the nearest branch for available genealogy materials.

Cemetery records are another key tool for Miller County obituary research. Rural cemeteries across the county hold headstones dating back to the 1830s. Many of these have been indexed by volunteers on Find a Grave and other online platforms. A headstone can confirm a death date, show family connections through nearby burials, and sometimes provide biographical details that do not appear in official records.

The State Historical Society of Missouri at shsmo.org holds newspaper collections that may include Miller County publications with obituary notices.

Death Certificates in Miller County

The Miller County Health Department handles birth and death certificate requests. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy. Death certificates are $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Online ordering is available through their website. Under RSMo 193.255, you need a direct and tangible interest to get a certified copy of a death certificate.

For deaths before 1980, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. They have statewide death records from 1910 forward. Records over 50 years old transfer to the Missouri State Archives at a cost of $1 per copy. This is the most affordable way to get older Miller County death certificates for obituary research.

Note: The Miller County Clerk has some birth records from 1883 to 1891 that predate the statewide system.

Miller County State Archive Records

The Missouri Digital Heritage portal provides free access to pre-1910 birth and death records for Miller County. Search by name or county to find scanned images of original documents from the 1883 to 1893 registration period.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database has Miller County records from 1910 through about 1974. Under RSMo 193.225, records more than 50 years old move to the Archives. The Missouri Death Index covers 1954 to 2024 with over 3.8 million entries statewide. All three databases are free. Together they cover most of the time periods you would need for Miller County obituary research.

Public Access and Legal Rules

The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 makes public records available for review and copying. Vital records have limits. Under RSMo 193.245, sharing vital record details is restricted. But death records over 50 years old are open to everyone. The State Archives databases, pre-1910 records, and newspaper obituary collections are all free and public.

For recent Miller County death certificates, you need to be an immediate family member, legal representative, or other authorized party. Professional genealogists may also qualify. Historical records are much easier to access and can be searched from home using the free online tools listed on this page.

Cities in Miller County

Tuscumbia is the county seat. Eldon is the largest city in the county. Other communities include Iberia, St. Elizabeth, and Olean. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All obituary records for Miller County are managed through the county offices in Tuscumbia or through state agencies.

Nearby Counties

Miller County is in central Missouri near the Lake of the Ozarks. If you are not sure which county holds the records, check where the person lived or died.