Search Independence Genealogy Records

Independence genealogy records are held at the Jackson County courthouse in Independence and at the Midwest Genealogy Center, which is located in the city itself. As the county seat of Jackson County for the Eastern District, Independence is the records hub for the eastern half of the county and holds some of the oldest courthouse records in western Missouri.

Records Are Kept at Jackson County

Independence is one of two county seats in Jackson County. The Eastern District courthouse at 308 W. Kansas, Independence, MO 64050 handles records for the eastern portion of the county. The Recorder of Deeds can be reached at 816-881-1572. Marriage records at this office go back to 1827 for the Western District and 1835 for the Eastern District. Land records also date from the county's founding in 1826, making this one of the oldest sets of courthouse records in the entire state.

The Circuit Clerk for the Eastern District in Independence holds court and divorce records from 1835 and probate records from the same year. If your ancestor lived in the eastern part of Jackson County during the 1800s, the Independence courthouse is the right location. Probate records are particularly useful because they list heirs by name, document property distribution, and often reveal family relationships not found elsewhere. For researchers tracing families in the Independence area going back to the early 1800s, these records are both extensive and well preserved.

Jackson County had two county seats from early in its history. Kansas City functions as the Western District courthouse and Independence as the Eastern District. The split reflects the county's dual urban centers. Knowing which district your ancestor lived in determines which courthouse holds their records. Address histories and plat maps can help confirm the right location if you are not sure which district applied to a given property.

Note: The Jackson County Health Department holds birth certificates from 1920 onward and death certificates from 1980 onward for both districts.

Vital Records in Independence

For certified copies of birth and death certificates, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Dr., Jefferson City, MO, phone (573) 751-6387. Certified copies cost $15.00 each. Birth records are available statewide from 1910 and death records from 1910 as well. For older vital records, the Missouri State Archives holds Jackson County records on microfilm, and the county clerk maintained limited birth and death records from 1883 to 1893 during Missouri's early registration period.

Death certificates from 1910 through 1969 are free to search online at Missouri Digital Heritage. The database holds over 9 million statewide records, and Jackson County is well represented. This is often the fastest way to locate a death date without visiting any office. The Missouri State Archives at 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, phone (573) 751-3280, can also assist with research requests for Jackson County records.

Midwest Genealogy Center

The Midwest Genealogy Center at 3440 S. Lee's Summit Rd., Independence, MO 64055, phone (816) 252-7228, is one of the largest genealogy-only libraries in the United States. It is part of the Mid-Continent Public Library System and is physically located in Independence, making it directly accessible for residents doing local family research. The center holds an extensive print collection covering Missouri, the surrounding Midwest states, and all U.S. states, plus microfilm, maps, and local histories. Staff genealogists are available during open hours to assist with research at no charge.

The Midwest Genealogy Center offers free in-library access to Ancestry, HeritageQuest Online, and dozens of other genealogy databases that normally require paid subscriptions. The facility also holds one of the largest collections of printed genealogy materials in Missouri. For Independence and Jackson County researchers, it is hard to overstate the value of having this resource in the city. A single day at the Midwest Genealogy Center can cover multiple generations of a family across several states. The library system website is at mymcpl.org/genealogy.

Additional Independence Research Resources

The Truman Library and Museum at 500 W. U.S. Highway 24, Independence, phone (816) 268-8200, maintains archival collections related to the Truman era and the broader history of Jackson County. For families with connections to the mid-20th century Independence area, this institution may hold relevant materials including photographs, community records, and local historical files. The library is open to researchers and public visitors.

The Jackson County Historical Society at 4001 NE 83rd Terrace, Kansas City, phone 816-252-7454, holds genealogy files, family histories, and county records transcriptions for all of Jackson County including Independence. The Society can assist with research requests and maintains a collection covering both the eastern and western districts of the county. For researchers who cannot visit in person, the Society accepts mail and email inquiries.

The Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence is one of the largest genealogy-only libraries in the United States and is free to use.

The center's print and digital collections cover Missouri and the entire United States, making it a strong resource for families that moved across state lines.

Online Records for Independence Residents

Missouri Digital Heritage is the primary free platform for Jackson County death certificates from 1910 to 1969. FamilySearch at familysearch.org has indexed Jackson County census records from 1850 through 1940. The census index makes it quick to find Independence ancestors across multiple decades and trace family movements over time. Both sites are free with no subscription needed.

Missouri Case.net at courts.mo.gov/casenet covers court cases filed from November 2003 onward. For older court records, visit or contact the Circuit Clerk at the Independence courthouse. The Jackson County MOGenWeb site is a volunteer resource with transcribed records and family histories, and the Missouri State Genealogical Association at mosga.org connects researchers with county-level genealogical societies serving the Jackson County area.