Recorder of Deeds, City of Saint Louis, Archives Services


Archives Services
Recorder of Deeds, City of Saint Louis


Updated September 24, 2004 (Note price increase as of August 28, 2004)

A public service of Sharon Quigley Carpenter, Recorder of Deeds
St. Louis City Hall, Room 126
1200 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103-2881
Phone: 314-622-4610
Email: sqc@stlouiscityrecorder.org
Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM M - F (No Saturday hours).


For telephone and e-Mail addresses of Recorder of Deeds staff click here.


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Introduction/Contact Information

Limitations

Birth Records

Death Records

Marriage Records

Land Records

Incorporation Records

African and Native American Records

Children's Records

Miscellaneous Records

Trademarks

Introduction and Contact Information

The Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds is a citywide elected office that provides a valuable "library" service to persons interested in "public" records on nearly 250 years of history on the people and property of the Saint Louis Area. These "primary" records are particularly important for genealogy and scholarly pursuits. The City Recorder is the only Recorder of Deeds office in Missouri with an Archives Department dedicated to preservation and public access of "old" records.

Archives Department, Recorder of Deeds
Room 126 City Hall, 1200 Market
Saint Louis MO 63103

1854-1909 House of Refuge, children's prison/orphanage
1764-1920 Land and Marriage Records
1880-1920 pre-Privacy Act Deeds of Adoption

1896-1972 Campaign Finance Reports
1875-1940 Incorporations, both Profit and Not-For-Profit
1865-1930 Public Record Art sales (Trademark Posters)
Exhibit Information

For information on the above topics contact Marie T. Ceselski

To Schedule a Program for Your Group

-- Contact Sharon Quigley Carpenter at 314-622-4393 or E-mail: sqc@swbell.net

Given adequate notice, the Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds can provide a program on the public record history of women, children, African-Americans, ethnic groups, French-Spanish colonial period, business, not-for-profits, just about anything.

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Important Information About Limitations on the Recorder's Resources and Services

E-mail and Faxes.

The Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds cannot E-mail or fax archival copies to customers. The City Recorder cannot process a request for copies or research toward copies without payment of fees in advance.

Research Fees.

State law prohibits the Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds from providing any service that might otherwise be performed by an attorney or land title company. The City Recorder is prohibited from conducting research, by fee or for free, relating to establishing a legal claim to real estate. The Recorder's Archives provides research for a fee, paid in advance, to facilitate copy purchase by persons requiring archival documents for only genealogical or scholarly purposes. State law prohibits the Recorder from selling abstracted information. The Recorder sells information via only copies of public records.

The City Recorder's Research Fees are nonrefundable. The Recorder's consent to conduct research does not guarantee that a record will be found. The Recorder reserves the right to reject requests for research if there is reason to believe that the service would violate State law, or if the request is too vague or exhaustive of Staff resources. For example, the Recorder's Archives will not conduct a forty-year search for all records relating to a particular "John Smith" who "might" have lived in Saint Louis City.

Visit Saint Louis!

Due to the Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds limited staffing, customers are encouraged to conduct their own research when possible. The City Recorder's archivists will assist in research methods. The records preserved by the Recorder are public records accessible by the public during the Archives regular business hours at no fee.

The City of Saint Louis is a great place to spend a vacation! You can conduct your research and enjoy many fine venues at no cost. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office (probate records) is in the Civil Courts Building across the street from the Recorder's Office in City Hall. The Main Public Library (microfilm collections of Birth & Death Registers, Census records, City Directories, and more) is just a few blocks from City Hall. Forest Park's Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center and Zoo are free of charge. We're all conveniently located near Metro Link train stations.

Certified vs. Uncertified Copies.

The Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds Archives provides Uncertified Copies for a fee less than Certified Copies to genealogists and scholarly researchers. Copies are stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only." Legal, insurance or pension-related matters require a "Certified Copy."

City vs. County Records.

In 1876 there was a successful referendum vote to separate Saint Louis City from St. Louis County into two independent political subdivisions. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds, Courts, etc. The City does not physically exist within the County. The City is bounded on the east by Mississippi River and on the west, north and south by the County.

The City Recorder of Deeds maintains Marriage, Land and other records made in either the City or County prior to 1876. After 1876, the City and County have maintained the records made within their respective borders.

-- For County-related Land or Marriage records contact the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds: 314/889-2182 at 41 South Central, Clayton MO 63105.

-- Probate Court records are maintained by the Saint Louis City Circuit Court Clerk: 314/622-4301 at Civil Courts Building, 10th Floor, 10 North Tucker, Saint Louis MO 63101.

Language History.

The Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds Archives begins with records of the City's 1764 founders- men, women and children of French, Spanish, African and Native American descent. Some brought pre-1764 documents from prior homes to be re-recorded here, such as Marriage Contracts made in France, Spain or Quebec. Colonial and many post-Colonial records are in French or Spanish. Most have mid-19th Century English translations, some incorrect or incomplete. Some Trademarks registered with the City Recorder are in English and German, representative of a bilingual city into the 20th Century.

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Birth Records - Vital Records, Recorder of Deeds

St. Louis City - Years 1870 through 1909, Statewide — Years 1920 to Present
Call: (314) 613-3016
Visit: Room 127, City Hall
Write: Vital Records, c/o Recorder of Deeds, Room 126, City Hall, 1200 Market, St. Louis MO 63103

Certified Copy Requirements
$15.00 Per Copy By Money Order Or Cash. The Recorder of Deeds no longer accepts personal checks. Fees are nonrefundable. If you are unsure of the date of birth or provide an incorrect date, we will conduct a five-year search, two years prior and two years after the date that you have provided. If the record is not found during the search, your payment will be deposited as a Search Fee.

Copy of Applicant’s Driver’s License or State ID Must Be Provided. The Applicant’s name and address on the License/ID must match the Applicant’s name and address on the Application for Copy.

All Application Information Must Be Provided.
1. Birth Registrant’s Name (person’s birth record being sought: First + Middle + Last)
2. Place of Birth (Hospital or Home Address)
3. Date of Birth (Month + Day + Year)
4. Father’s Name (First + Middle + Last)
5. Mother’s Maiden Nan’te (First + Middle + Last)
6. Applicant’s Name (Person Requesting Copy)
7. Applicant’s Address (Street Number + Street Name + Apartment Number + City + State + Zip Code)
8. Relationship of Applicant to Birth Registrant or Interest of Person Requesting Copy
9. Purpose for which Copy is to be used
10. Applicant’s Signature & Date of request

To Correct Or Ghange A Birth Record: Please call the State Vital Records Bureau at (573) 751-6385 or write Vital Records Bureau, Missouri Health Dept., P0 Box 570, Jefferson City MO 65102. Local vital records offices are not permitted to correct or change a Birth Record.

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Death Records - Vital Records, Recorder of Deeds

St. Louis City - Years 1850 to Present, Statewide — Years 1980 to Present

Call: (314) 613-3018
Visit: Room 124, City Hall
Write: Vital Records, c/o Recorder of Deeds, Room 126, City Hall, 1200 Market, St. Louis MO 63103

Certified Copy Requirements
$13.00 Per Copy By Money Order Or Cash. The Recorder of Deeds no longer accepts personal checks. Fees are nonrefundable. If you are unsure of the date of death or provide an incorrect date, we will conduct a five-year search, two years prior and two years after the date that you have provided. If the record is not found during the search, your payment will be deposited as a Search Fee.

Copy of Applicant’s Driver’s License or State ID Must Be Provided. The Applicant’s name and address on the License or ID must match the Applicant’s name and address on the Application for Copy.

All Application Information Must Be Provided.
1. Name of Deceased (First + Middle + Last)
2. Place of Death (Hospital or Home Address)
3. Date of Death (Month + Day + Year)
4. Applicant’s Name (Person Requesting Copy)
5. Applicant’s Address (Street Number + Street Name + Apartment Number + City + State + Zip Code)
6. Relationship of Applicant to the Deceased or Interest of Person Requesting Copy
7. Purpose for which Copy is to be used
8. Applicant’s Signature & Date of request

To Correct Or Change A Death Record
Please call the State Vital Records Bureau at (573) 522-1716 or write Vital Records Bureau, Missouri Health Dept., P0 Box 570, Jefferson City MO 65102. Local vital records offices are not permitted to correct or change a Death Record.
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"Old" Marriage Records. 1764-1920.

Research Fees may apply

Recording Jurisdiction.

A Marriage License issued by any Recorder of Deeds in Missouri can be used for a wedding ceremony anywhere in Missouri. State law requires the License to be signed by the minister or judge and returned to the Recorder's Office that issued it. A couple may have lived in the City of Saint Louis and been married in the City but could have applied for and received their License from St. Louis County or another County. The City Recorder would have no record of such a marriage. Only the County Recorder's office that issued the License would have the record. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Marriage Contracts and Separation of Property.

Found in Colonial and Land Record Books. Some property inventories. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Marriage Register. 1804-1881

Predates License/Application process. Information varies according to what clergy or judge submitted to Recorder to be placed on the public record. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per entry.

Marriage Application. 1881-1920.

Generally but not always includes Bride/Groom names and signatures, ages, street addresses. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 per each record.

Marriage License. 1881-1920.

Generally but not always includes Bride/Groom names, city of residence, wedding date, clergy/judge name, witness names. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 per each record.

Parental Consent Affidavit. 1881-1920.

Marriage of a minor. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 per each record.

Research Fees.

When a customer is unable to provide the correct year of marriage and both Bride and Groom names, add to Copy Fee the following:

+ $4.00 Primary Research = searching for a marriage record using less than 10 years of Indices.

+ Or $10.00 Extended Research Fee = per 10 year period, searching for a marriage record, or per hour Indices search for an entry or entries on a surname.

Copies – Customer Service "By Mail".

Send $3.00 Cash or Money Order (made out to Recorder of Deeds) per record. In the case of Marriage Contract/Separation of Property, send Cash or Money Order in the amount of $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record. When a customer is unable to provide names of both Bride and Groom, and year, or License Number/Book and Page, please add Research Fee.

Please specify your request. Ask for a Marriage Application, a License or both and enclose correct fee. License + Application = $6.00. Include the Name of Groom, Name of Bride, Year of this Marriage Ceremony or License Number/Book and Page, and Self-Addressed-Stamped Envelope. Mail to: Archives Dept., Recorder of Deeds, Room 127, City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103.

Additional Marriage-Related Record Resources

-- Post-1920 Marriage Records are maintained by the Recorder's Marriage License Department: 314/622-3257 at Room 127 City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis MO 63103.

-- St. Louis County-issued Marriage Licenses are maintained by the County Recorder of Deeds: 314/889-2182 at 41 South Central, Clayton MO 63105.

-- Marriage Licenses issued elsewhere in Missouri before 1910 are maintained by the State Archives: 573/526-7333 at P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City MO 65102.

-- Marriage Licenses issued elsewhere in Missouri after 1910 are maintained by the Missouri Health Department: Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City MO 65102

-- Divorce Records are maintained by the Saint Louis Circuit Court Clerk: 314/622-4405 or 622-4408 at Civil Courts Building, 10 North Tucker, Saint Louis MO 63101.

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"Old" Land Records. 1764-1920.

Research Fees may apply

House/Building History.

Land deeds recorded with the Saint Louis City Recorder of Deeds are deeds to dirt, not buildings. With the exception of some Colonial-era documents, the City Recorder maintains no records on structures. Generally, a land deed provides only the names of Grantors (Sellers) and Grantees (Buyers), their residency, date of purchase, price or financing information depending on the decade, and a legal description of the land involved, its size and location.

-- Archival Building Permits and Fire Maps are maintained on microfilm by the City Comptroller's Archives: 314/622-4274 at Room 1 City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis MO 63103

Land Deeds.

1764-1920. Sales, Quit Claims, Mortgages, Foreclosures, Releases. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per deed.

Property Inventories. Mostly related to Colonial-era Marriage Contracts and Last Wills. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Subdivision Plats

. Beginning 1823. Provides boundaries of individual properties. Uncertified Copy Fee: $8.00 per page.

Surveys.

Beginning 1841. Sketch maps with legal descriptions of property. Uncertified Copy Fee: $8.00 per page.

Research Fees

When a customer is unable to provide the Book and Page Numbers for a record, add to Copy Fee the following:

+ $4.00 Primary Research Fee = search for a Grantor (Seller) or a Grantee (Buyer) entry using less than 10 years of Grantor or Grantee Indices.

+ $10.00 Extended Research Fee = per 10 year period, search for a specific Grantor (Seller) or Grantee (Buyer) entry using Grantor or Grantee Indices, or per hour search for entries on a surname. The Extended Research Fee supplies a customer with only the year, Book and Page, and copy fee information for a record. Information such as the names of other parties, full date of record, legal description of property, etc. are only available by purchasing the copy or personal review of the record during the Archives regular business hours.

Copies - Service "By Mail."

Send the Book and Page for the record, Grantor (seller) and Grantee (buyer) Names, Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope and Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record. When a customer is unable to provide the Book and Page, please add Research Fee. Mail to: Archives Department, Recorder of Deeds, Room 127 City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103.

Additional Land-Related Record Resources

-- Post-1921 Land Deeds are maintained by the Recorder's Land Records Department: 314/622-3260 at Room 126 City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis MO 63103.

-- Current "City Block" Plats providing the names of current owners of property are maintained by the City Assessor: 314/622-3212 at Room114 City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis MO 63103.

-- Archival "City Directories" and Census records are maintained on microfilm by the Saint Louis Main Public Library: 314/241-2288 at 1301 Olive, Saint Louis MO 63103.

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Incorporation Records. 1875-1920.

Profit and Not-For-Profit.

Research Fees may apply

Building & Loan Associations, Business, Charities, Churches, Ethnic Groups, Labor, Neighborhood Associations, Political Organizations, Professional/Civic Groups, Social/Fraternal Clubs, Recreation and Sports Clubs, much more. Information varies: by-laws, stock shares, property inventories. Uncertified Copy Fees: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Index Problems.

Researchers will notice the peculiar fifty-year-old indexing of Incorporation Records. The names of many hundreds of groups and businesses were indexed under the words "The," "Missouri," "Saint Louis," or "St. Louis," making them difficult to find. Some businesses were indexed under the initial of a founder's first name, making it a needle in a haystack search if you have only the surname. For example, "A. Smith & Brothers Company" being indexed under "A." instead of "Smith."

Research Fees

When a customer is unable to provide the Book and Page Numbers for a record, add to Copy Fee the following:

+ $4.00 Primary Research Fee = search for a specific company/organization using Card File Index.

+ Or $10.00 Extended Research Fee = per hour Indices search for a specific company/organization using Indices found in Corporation Books. One hour of research is equal to one year of Indices.

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African and Native American Records.

Most Are Not Indexed.

Research Fees may apply

Index Problems.

In Colonial Saint Louis (1764-1803) people lived, worked, played and worshipped under French and Spanish laws and customs and frontier Catholicism. It was North America without English Common Law and puritan ways. For 40 years many Saint Louisans shared the right to buy or sell, borrow or lend, inherit or bequeath, sue or be sued regardless of gender, race, age, marital status, parentage.

The "Americans" arrived 1804, after the Louisiana Purchase, and brought cultural and legal changes which removed rights and opportunities afforded to women, children and people of color under French-Spanish rule.

Researchers will notice the margin note "No Index Card" on many microfilmed pages of early Saint Louis records. These records were indexed mid-19th Century by Oscar W. Collet. In his day, women, children and people of color had little legal status. Subsequently and unfortunately, he often dismissed their history by omitting their names from his Indices. Using Collet's Indices alone, Saint Louis history becomes the story of primarily only white men.

The City Recorder conducts research within a limited budget to extract a truer history of Saint Louis. Many extraordinary records, otherwise unknown because of the original indexing, are discovered in the course of providing regular customer services. In time, new indexing and computerization will provide greater public access to these historical records.

"Natural Children" As Heirs.

Found in Colonial Books. Children born out of wedlock to free or slave women of African or Native American descent. It was customary for French and Spanish men to acknowledge paternity and bequeath inheritance to these children via Last Wills. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page and $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Slave Births.

Found in Land Records Books. Some states had laws on emancipation upon majority age. When some slaves were moved from those states to Missouri their births were recorded. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Slave Marriages. 1804-1840s.

Found in Marriage Register. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Slave Sales and Emancipation. 1764-1840s.

Found in Colonial and Land Records Books. Both African and Native American descent. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Certificates of Character.

Territorial to early Statehood years. Found in Land Records Books. Issued to free born or freed of African descent. Example: Honorable Discharge from service in Battle of New Orleans. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Marriage Contracts, Deeds, Last Wills, Heirs.

Colonial to Territorial years. Found in Colonial and Land Records Books. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Government-Native American Relations.

Example: Request to Territorial Governor Meriweather Lewis on supplies for visiting Osage on the occasion of a treaty. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

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Children's Records.

Most Are Not Indexed.

Research Fees may apply

Also see "African and Native American Records."

Orphans: House of Refuge.

1854-1909. Found in Board of Manager's Book and Admittance Register. This was an Orphanage-Prison for boys and girls, ages 3-18, mostly Irish and German descent. Many were "half-orphans" of working women without childcare. Some were juvenile offenders (vagrancy to murder). Information varies: name, age, ethnic/race, birth-place, health, physical characteristics, previous occupation (from "playing" to "stevedore"), criminal record, indentured servant status, etc. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Deeds of Adoption.

Pre-Privacy Act 1880-1920. Found in Land Records Books. Card File Index. Rarely information on birth parents. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

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Miscellaneous Records.

Research Fees may apply

Campaign Finance Records (1896-1972).

Indexed only for 1901-1945. Name of political party or ballot issue committee or candidate and office sought, expenses, latter years also donor names and amounts contributed. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per report.

Notary Public Registrations

(Early 20th Century). Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 per record.

Nurses Registrations (1921-54)

. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page and $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Powers of Attorney and Last Wills(1764-1920).

Found in Land Records and Incorporation Books. Uncertified Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

Additional Resources

-- Archival Probate Court records are maintained by the Saint Louis Circuit Court Clerk: 314/622-4301 at Civil Courts Building, 10th Floor, 10 North Tucker, Saint Louis MO 63101.

-- Archival Voter Registration records are maintained on microfilm by the City Comptroller's Archives: 314/622-4274 at Room 1 City Hall, 1200 Market, Saint Louis MO 63103

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Trademarks. 1865-1930

Public Record Art Posters

Clothing, foods, hardware, liquor, medicines, services, tobaccos, some organizations, much more. Some in German or other languages, with or without English translations.

Currently scanned, enhanced and reproduced in color on parchment-style 8.5 x 14 paper. Coming soon, 11 x 17 posters. Posters are the work product of the City Recorder of Deeds and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the City Recorder. Copy Fee: $8.00 per poster if purchased in person. Copy Fee: $9.00 per poster if purchased by mail.

Due to the age and fragile quality of the City Recorder's Trademark collection, researchers may access the Trademark books only by appointment. We apologize for any inconvenience. Reproduction by copier in black ink on white ledger paper, Copy Fee: $3.00 first page, $2.00 each page thereafter, per record.

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