Webster County Obituary Records

Webster County obituary records are kept at the Recorder of Deeds in Marshfield, the county health unit, and the Missouri State Archives. Marshfield is the county seat. The county has marriage and land records going back to 1855. The courthouse burned in 1863 during the Civil War, but most records were saved except tax rolls and election returns. This page walks you through the offices, fees, published obituary books, and online tools you can use to find obituary records in Webster County.

Webster County Recorder of Deeds

The Webster County Recorder of Deeds is at 101 S Crittenden, Room 16, Marshfield, MO 65706. The mailing address is P.O. Box 546, Marshfield, MO 65706. Call at 417-859-5882. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can email at recorder@webstercountymo.gov or fax at 417-468-3843.

The office holds marriage records from 1855, land records from 1855, probate records from 1869, and military discharge records (free for veterans). The courthouse burned in 1863 during the Civil War. Most records were saved, but tax rolls and election returns were lost. Marriage records begin in 1855, wills in 1881, and land records in 1855. Copy charges are $1 per page. Certified copies add $1. Certified marriage licenses cost $9.

Online record search and e-recording are both available through the Recorder's office. This is useful for Webster County obituary researchers who cannot visit in person and need to check land or marriage records remotely.

Webster County Obituary Collections

The Webster County Historical Society at 219 South Clay, Marshfield, MO 65706 holds local history archives, genealogical resources, and obituary collections from Marshfield newspapers. Call at 417-468-7407 or email webstercountyhistory@hotmail.com. The society has published important obituary books that are hard to find anywhere else.

Two key published resources stand out for Webster County obituary research. The first is "Webster County, Missouri Volume 1 Obituaries: From The Marshfield Chronicle, 1877-1900" compiled by Nettie Gorman. The second is "Webster County, Missouri Volume 2 Obituaries: From The Marshfield Chronicle, 1901-1908" also compiled by Nettie W. Gorman. These books index and transcribe obituaries from the local newspaper during those years. The society also published "Webster County, Missouri Deed Book A: 1855-1860" and "Webster County, Missouri Marriage Returns Book I: 1855-1872" which support related genealogy work.

The Garst Memorial Library in Marshfield serves as the main branch of the Webster County Library system. Their website is at www.webstercounty.lib.mo.us. A branch library operates in Rogersville. The library holds a local history and genealogy section, newspaper archives on microfilm, and yearbook collections including Hartville High School yearbooks.

Search Webster County Death Records Online

The Missouri Digital Heritage site gives free access to pre-1910 birth and death records for Webster County. Search by name or county. These records come from the 1883 registration effort. Not every death was captured, but the database is a solid starting point for Webster County obituary research from that era.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database covers deaths from 1910 through about 1974. Each entry links to a scanned image of the original certificate. Under RSMo 193.225, death certificates older than 50 years transfer to the Archives. Copies cost $1 each. The Missouri Death Index also covers Webster County deaths from 1954 to 2024.

The University of Missouri digital collections include historical materials that may touch on Webster County families and death records from the Ozarks region.

Death Certificates in Webster County

The Webster County Health Unit at 233 E. Washington, Marshfield, MO 65706 handles vital records. Call at 417-859-2532. Birth certificates cost $15 each and cover records from 1920 forward. Death certificates cost $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy, covering records from 1980 forward. Walk-in service is available with an average wait of 5 to 10 minutes. Payment is by cash or check only.

For birth certificates, you will need the registrant's full name at birth, date of birth, place of birth, mother's full maiden name, father's full name, and a photo ID. Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, relatives up to but not including cousins, and legal guardians. For death certificates, relatives or third parties with a legal need are eligible.

Under RSMo 193.255, you must show direct and tangible interest to get a certified copy. For Webster County obituary research on older records, death certificates more than 50 years old are open to anyone through the State Archives.

Note: Birth certificates before 1920 and death certificates before 1980 must be obtained from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City.

Public Access to Webster County Records

Missouri's Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 makes public records open for inspection. Vital records do have limits. Under RSMo 193.245, sharing vital record data outside what the law allows is not permitted. Death records more than 50 years old can be given to anyone. A list of people who died on a given date can be released, limited to name and date of death.

For Webster County obituary research, recent death certificates are restricted to family and authorized parties. Historical records are much more accessible. The State Archives, pre-1910 vital records, newspaper collections, and the published obituary volumes from the historical society are all available to the public. The Missouri State Library genealogy guide and the State Historical Society of Missouri connect you to more free tools.

Cities in Webster County

Marshfield is the county seat of Webster County. Rogersville and Seymour are other communities in the county. All obituary records and vital records for Webster County residents are filed through county offices in Marshfield. No cities in Webster County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

If you are not sure which county holds the records, check the county where the person lived or died. Webster County borders several Missouri counties that maintain their own obituary resources.