Search Montgomery County Obituary

Montgomery County obituary records can be found through the Recorder of Deeds in Montgomery City, the county clerk's office, and the Missouri State Archives. Montgomery City is the county seat, located in east-central Missouri between St. Louis and Columbia. The county has suffered two courthouse fires, in 1864 and 1901, which destroyed many early records. Despite these losses, records going back to 1829 exist in some form. This page covers the offices, online tools, and archive databases you can use to search for obituary records and death information in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds

The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds is Sheila See. The office is at 310 Salisbury Street A, Montgomery City, MO 63361. Call (573) 564-3157 or email recorder@mcmo.us. This office holds marriage records, land records, and other county documents. Marriage and land records are the primary types of documents at this office that can support obituary research in Montgomery County, particularly when looking for property transfers after a death or marriage records that connect family members.

The Montgomery County Clerk holds birth and death records from the pre-1910 era as well as county commission records. Two courthouse fires, one in 1864 during the Civil War and another in 1901, destroyed many of the earliest records. This means research on deaths before 1901 in Montgomery County may require looking at state-level sources, church records, or cemetery markers to fill in the gaps left by these losses.

Note: The 1864 and 1901 fires make Montgomery County one of the harder Missouri counties for pre-1900 obituary research.

Montgomery County Death Certificates

The Montgomery County Health Department handles modern vital records including birth and death certificates. Death certificates cost $14 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $11. You need to show direct and tangible interest under RSMo 193.255 to get a certified copy. That means immediate family, legal agents, and other authorized people can request them.

For deaths before 1980, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City has statewide death certificates from 1910 forward. Records more than 50 years old transfer to the Missouri State Archives, where copies are $1 each. Given the courthouse fire damage in Montgomery County, state-level records are especially important for filling in the local gaps.

Montgomery County Records at State Archives

The Missouri Digital Heritage website has pre-1910 birth and death records for Montgomery County available for free. These scanned images cover the 1883 to 1893 registration period. Since the 1901 courthouse fire destroyed many county-held copies, the state's copies of these records may be the only surviving versions for some Montgomery County deaths.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database covers deaths from 1910 through about 1974 with scanned images. Under RSMo 193.225, records over 50 years old transfer to the Archives. The Missouri Death Index covers 1954 to 2024. All three tools are free and vital for Montgomery County obituary research, especially given the record losses at the county level.

The Missouri Revised Statutes at revisor.mo.gov contain the laws governing vital records access and fees in Montgomery County and statewide.

Montgomery County Historical Resources

The Montgomery County Historical Society maintains local archives. Contact the county for current information about their holdings and hours. The historical society at 329 E. 2nd Street in Montgomery City operates a museum with local historical archives that may include family records, obituary clippings, and other documents useful for genealogy research.

The Montgomery City Public Library has local history and genealogy materials. Small-town libraries like this one sometimes keep newspaper clipping files and other unique resources. The Missouri State Library genealogy guide connects to databases for death records, cemetery searches on Find a Grave, and the Military Gravesite Locator. The State Historical Society of Missouri holds newspaper collections that may include Montgomery County publications with obituary notices.

Church records in Montgomery County can fill gaps left by the two courthouse fires. Many churches kept their own records of births, marriages, and deaths long before the state required registration. If you are looking for a death or burial record from before 1901 in Montgomery County, local church archives are worth checking. Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist churches were all active in the county during the 1800s and may have preserved records that the courthouse lost.

Public Access to Montgomery County Records

Missouri's Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 makes public records open for inspection and copying. Vital records carry restrictions under RSMo 193.245. Death records over 50 years old are available to anyone. Recent death certificates are limited to authorized individuals. For Montgomery County obituary research, the free online databases at the State Archives cover most historical needs.

Genealogists researching on behalf of a family member or professional researchers may also request copies of more recent death certificates. The combination of state databases and local historical society records provides the best coverage for Montgomery County, especially given the courthouse fire losses.

Cities in Montgomery County

Montgomery City is the county seat. Other communities include Wellsville, New Florence, and Jonesburg. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All obituary and vital records for Montgomery County residents are handled through county offices in Montgomery City or the state system.

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County is in east-central Missouri. Check the county where the person lived or died for the correct records.