Order a Copy of a Vital Record

The State of Missouri began a central registry of Missouri births and deaths reported from Jan. 1, 1910 to the present. While vital record keeping began in 1910, some delayed certificates may be available before 1910. However, there is no guarantee of a record’s existence either before or after 1910.

To request a birth or death certificate locally, contact your nearest local public health agency.^1,3 To request a birth or death certificate from the Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City, follow the steps outlined in How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Births: 1920-present. Death: 1980-present. (Short form versions)
State level – Births: 1910-present. Death: 1910-present. (Short form and long form versions)

How can I order a copy?
Local level – Varies. Contact local public health agency directly.
State level – In person, mail, and phone/online via VitalChek. See How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record

A delayed birth certificate is a certificate that is filed in lieu of a traditional birth certificate for a child that has reached his/her twelfth birthday and a Certificate of Live Birth has not yet been filed. To request a delayed birth certificate from the Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City, follow the steps outlined in How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Not available.
State level – Delayed births: 1910-present. Delayed registration of persons born prior to 1910 began in 1931 and then only by request. (Only long form version available)

How can I order a copy?
Local level – Not available.
State level – In person and by mail. Ordered in the same manner as a regular birth. See How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record

Before a copy of a delayed birth certificate can be requested, a delayed birth must have been registered with the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City by the completion of an Application to Record Birth After 12th Birthday. View information on how to register a delayed birth.

Under the Missouri Adoptee Rights Act (RSMo 193.125 and 193.128, RSMo), adoptees, adoptee’s attorneys, birth parents, and lineal descendants of deceased adoptees can request a copy of the adoptee’s original birth certificate. The copy will be non-certified and will be stamped with “For genealogical purposes only. Not to be used for establishing identity”. Both adoptees and birth parents have the option to complete a contact preference form stating whether they would like to be contacted.

Adoptee birth certificates cannot be ordered online. The requestor should allow additional processing time from the date of submitting their paper application to receive their original birth certificate due to the demand for these records and the research required to find and process these records. Vital Records processes these requests in a first in, first out manner.

If you are an adoptee, an attorney of an adoptee or birth parent requesting a copy of the adoptee’s original birth certificate, use Application for Non-Certified Copy of Original Birth Certificate by Adoptee, Adoptee’s Attorney or Birth Parent.

If you are a lineal descendant of a deceased adoptee requesting a copy of the adoptee’s original birth certificate, use Application for Non-Certified Copy of Original Birth Certificate by Lineal Descendant. A lineal descendant as defined in 19 CSR 10-10.130 is a person who is in direct line to an ancestor, such as child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and so on, either by blood or legal adoption. This does not include a step-child or collateral descendant. Collateral descendants are those from the line of a brother, sister, aunt, or uncle.

If you are an adoptee and would like to state your preference for contact, use Adoptee Contact Preference Form.

If you are a birth parent and would like to state your preference for contact, use Birth Parent Contact Preference Form.

If you are a birth parent and would like to provide medical information, use Birth Parent Medical History Form.

Follow all instructions on the forms and submit the forms along with applicable fees to:
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Where are these records available:
Local level - Not available.
State level - Available if criteria met and record on file.

How can I order a copy?
Local level - Not available.
State level - In person and by mail. See above and How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record.

In Missouri, two different marriage related documents are available for issuance. A marriage statement and a marriage certificate. The Certified Statement Relating to Marriage issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City will only include the names of both spouses, date of marriage, and county where the marriage was recorded. Certified statements can be helpful if an individual is not certain of the county in which the marriage was recorded. An actual certified copy of the original marriage certificate may only be obtained by contacting the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the license was obtained.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Certified copy of the original marriage certificate. No statement available.
State level – Certified Statement Relating to Marriage. No certificate available. Reporting of marriages began in July 1, 1948.

How can I order a copy?
Local level – Varies. Contact county recorder of deeds directly.
State level – In person, mail, and phone/online via VitalChek. See How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record

The Certified Statement Relating to Divorce issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services will only include the names of both spouses, date of divorce, and county where the divorce was recorded. Certified statements can be helpful if an individual is not certain of the county of record or other similar circumstances. An actual certified copy of the original divorce decree may only be obtained by contacting the Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Certified copy of the original divorce decree. No statement available.
State level – Certified Statement Relating to Divorce. No divorce decree available. Reporting of divorces began in July 1, 1948.

How can I order a copy?
Local level – Varies. Contact county circuit clerk directly.
State level – In person, mail, and phone/online via VitalChek. See How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record

Each spontaneous fetal death of twenty (20) completed weeks gestation or more, calculated from the date of last normal menstrual period began to the date of delivery, or a weight of three hundred fifty (350) grams or more which occurs in Missouri shall be reported.

If a report of spontaneous fetal death is filed with the state, a copy of the report may be requested by filing an application with the Bureau of Vital Records. If desired, either parent, or if both parents are deceased, a sibling of the stillborn child, also have the right to file an application requesting a “Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth”, which is created from information in the report of spontaneous fetal death.

If a spontaneous fetal death occurs, neither a birth certificate nor a death certificate shall be filed or issued—only a report of spontaneous fetal death, and if desired, a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth certificate are available.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Not available.
State level – Available if criteria met and report filed.

How can I order a copy?
Local level – Not available.
State level – In person and by mail. See How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record

A Statement of Single Status (no impediment to marriage) is a document that verifies whether an individual has any recorded marriages on file in the State of Missouri. To request a Statement of Single Status, from the Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City, follow the steps outlined in How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Not available.
State level – Reporting of marriages and divorces began in July 1, 1948.

How can I order a copy?
Local level – Not available.
State level – In person and by mail. See How to Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record

Correction Affidavits

Copies of processed and applied correction affidavits may be provided upon written request to those eligible to receive a certified copy of the record that was corrected. The affidavits will not be certified and will be marked “COPY”. The written request must accompany a regular notarized application for the corresponding vital record, search fee, and any other documentation necessary to obtain a copy of a vital record.

Paternity Affidavits

Copies of processed and applied paternity affidavits may be provided upon written request by either parent, husband (if denial was filed), as well as their legal representative. The affidavits will not be certified and will be marked “COPY”. The written request must accompany a regular notarized application for the corresponding birth record, search fee, and any other documentation necessary to obtain a copy of a vital record.

Documents/Evidence

Copies of specific documents or evidence relating to a vital record, if available, may be provided upon written request to those eligible to receive a certified copy of the record. The documents/evidence will not be certified and will be marked “COPY”. The written request must accompany a regular notarized application for the corresponding vital record, search fee, and any other documentation necessary to obtain a copy of a vital record.

For additional information, call the Bureau of Vital Records at 573-751-6387, opt. 1.

Unsealing Records/Documents

Copies of sealed records/documents may be provided upon receipt of a certified court order from a court of competent jurisdiction, or in the case of adoption, as decreed by the court of adoption or pursuant to the Missouri Adoptee Rights Act. The bureau does not charge for processing a court order to unseal a record for the purposes of issuing a copy of the sealed record and/or related documents. However, the standard search fee to issue the record once unsealed is required. The record/documents will not be certified and will be stamped with “For Genealogical Purposes Only. Not to be Used For Establishing Identity”. The record will then be re-sealed after issuance.

In the State of Missouri, vital records are not open to the general public. Copies of vital records are provided to specifically defined individuals or entities. This helps protect identities, prevent fraud, and preserve the integrity of vital records. State law only allows a certified copy of a vital record to be issued to a person with a direct and tangible interest in the record.

Pursuant to 19 CSR 10-10, the registrant, a member of his/her family, his/her guardian, or one of their official representatives shall be considered to have a direct and tangible interest and may be issued a certified copy of a vital record such as a birth or death certificate. Applicants requesting records shall furnish adequate identifying information contained on the record to ensure the correct record is being released.

The information and examples below outline entitlement requirements to obtain a vital record. All additional requirements, such as an application and statutorily required search fee, are also still required to obtain a vital record.

• Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates. Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including, cousins. This qualification of entitlement also applies to Statements of Marriage, Divorce, and Single Status.
• *Applicant must identify at least one (1) parent on the record.
• All family members, genealogists representing a family member, and professionally recognized genealogists are eligible to receive copies of death certificates. All family members includes in-laws and cousins and great and step relationships for the following: brother, sister, mother, father, son, daughter, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, or uncle. Family members outside of these relationships (ex: great, great) will need to produce additional documentation or information to demonstrate the applicant's link to the requested record. Alternatively, direct and tangible interest documents may be used to prove entitlement. Note: death records over fifty (50) years old may be searched for using the Secretary of State’s Missouri Digital Heritage website.
• *Applicant must identify at least one (1) parent on the record. Death records over fifty (50) years old are exempt from this requirement.
• Official representatives shall include an attorney, physician, funeral director, or other authorized agent acting in behalf of the registrant or his/her family. Official representatives shall demonstrate a link between themselves and the registrant on the vital record or qualified family member. Funeral directors may act as an official representative to obtain copies of death records only.
• Example: an attorney that has signed contractual documentation/retainer demonstrating they represent the immediate family member.
• Example: a funeral home director listed on the death record that shows identification that matches the funeral director name on the death record or an officially signed letter by the funeral director on record authorizing another funeral home representative to request the record.
• An other authorized agent shall produce a signed and notarized statement by the registrant or a member of his/her qualified family authorizing the release of a record.
• Example: a mother may write a signed notarized statement authorizing a neighbor to request and receive a record for her child if the mother is unable to make the request for herself.
• Others may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights.
• Example: Direct and tangible interest would be present if a car title needed to be changed over to a person buying the car and the owner is deceased. The buyer would be qualified to receive a copy of the owner’s death certificate by providing documentation of the car purchase.
• Example: An ex-wife (divorced from decedent) needs a death certificate of a former husband to obtain benefits from the time period they were married. The ex-wife is no longer a family member but would be qualified to receive a copy of the ex-husband’s death certificate by providing documentation showing her eligibility to receive benefits.
• A parent or legal guardian on behalf of a minor (under 18) applicant.
• Example: a mother (not married to the father of her child, and, therefore not automatically entitled to the record by her relationship to the father) needs a death certificate of the father of her minor child for the child to receive benefits from the deceased father. The mother would need to demonstrate the relationship between the minor child, herself, and the father prior to her being authorized to request the record on behalf of the minor child. This may be accomplished by presenting a copy of the minor child's birth certificate at the time of the request.
• Note: Emancipated minors, upon providing legal proof of emancipation, would be entitled to a copy of their vital record.
• A guardian may receive a copy of the birth certificate of a child who is under his/her care and custody by showing guardianship papers.
• Foster parents may receive a copy of a birth certificate of a child who is under their care and custody upon furnishing a copy of their custody papers.
• A stepparent may receive a copy of a certificate of a legitimate birth by demonstrating relationship.
• A father may receive a copy of a birth record if he is shown as the father on that child’s birth record. An alleged father may not receive a copy of a birth record if he does not appear on the record, unless the alleged father has legal proof of custody or guardianship (court documentation, custody or guardianship papers referencing father's status as the legal father, or a notarized or certified power of attorney document from the mother or her legal representative that states he may receive copies on behalf of the mother). Family members of an alleged father may not receive copies a child's birth certificate unless he is shown on that child's birth certificate. In which case, they must be a member of the registrant's immediate family and may be required to demonstrate a link to the alleged father.
• The state registrar, as outlined in section 193.255.4, RSMo, and prescribed in 19 CSR 10-10.090, may authorize vital records access to entities not normally entitled—when deemed in the public interest and not for purposes of commercial solicitation or private gain. Specifically, copies of records or data from records are allowed for public agencies administering health, welfare, safety, law enforcement, education or public assistance programs, and to private agencies approved by the state registrar. Access, in these instances, shall be for statistical or administrative purposes upon such terms or conditions as may be prescribed by regulation, provided that such copies or data shall not be used for purposes other than those for which they were requested unless so authorized by the state registrar.
• Example: a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency could submit a signed letter on letterhead outlining the need for a vital record to complete a special investigation. See example letter.

For additional information regarding vital record access, see the Missouri Code of State Regulations or contact the Bureau of Vital Records at 573-751-6387.

Requesting certified copies in person

• Signed application and search fee.
• One issued identity document that displays a name and photograph OR two alternate forms of identification. At least two alternate forms of identification documents must be used if applicant does not have a picture identification card. See Acceptable Documentation for Identification below.
• If applicable, tangible interest documents or signed notarized statement authorizing release.
• If a family member is requesting a record for another family member, additional documentation or information may be required if the applicant’s link to the requested record cannot be established.

Requesting certified copies by mail

• Signed application which must be notarized by a notary public and search fee.
• If applicable, tangible interest documents or signed notarized statement authorizing release.
• If a family member is requesting a record for another family member, additional documentation or information may be required if the applicant’s link to the requested record cannot be established.

Requesting certified copies online/by phone

The Bureau of Vital Records contracts with VitalChek to process vital record requests online or over the phone. VitalChek can verify an identity electronically online through public record data powered by LexisNexis.

Acceptable Documentation for Identification

Primary Documents (One document is required. Documents should be current/valid.)

• A state issued driver’s license that includes a photograph and date of birth
• A state issued identification card that includes a photograph and date of birth
• A U.S. military identification card that includes a photograph
• A U.S. passport with photograph
• A school identification card/document showing applicant’s name, photograph, and date of school year
• Work identification card that includes the applicant’s name, photograph, and company name

Alternate forms of Identification Documents (At least two alternate forms of identification documents must be used if applicant does not have a picture identification card when applying in person) Alternate documents must display name of applicant, may display date of birth, date of issuance (or year), must display institution, company or organization/agency name.

• Letter from government or social agencies
• School yearbook
• A W-2 form issued within last year in addition to a signed Social Security card (social security numbers must match)
• Social Security card or Social Security numident printout (print out of an applicant’s Social Security account of activities)
• Court certified adoption papers that includes adopted parent(s) name
• Official certified deeds or title to property
• Certificate of vehicle title or registration documents
• Proof of auto insurance
• Insurance policy (health, home, life, etc.)
• Medicaid/Medicare document or identification card
• A payroll stub that includes a Social Security number of applicant (cannot be handwritten stubs)
• Military discharge document (DD-214)
• Cancelled duplicate check (must show name, address, signature, and name of institution)
• Utility bills which shows name and address of applicant (water, gas, electric, telephone)
• Shelter name band (including name of shelter)

The Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri (RSMo) and the Missouri Code of State Regulations (CSR) specifically outline how the statewide operation of the vital records system shall operate, the dollar amounts of the statutorily required search fees for a vital record and who must pay them, along with the requirement to submit a correctly completed application and, if applicable, tangible interest documentation. Unless Missouri state law specifically exempts you or your agency from the statutorily required search fee, a fee must be submitted with an application for a vital record—regardless of the reason or need for the vital record. State agencies may pay for vital records utilizing the PVQ process. All subpoenas, summonses, warrants, et al. must still comply with state law and cannot exempt requestors from statutory requirements and regulations. An application must always be submitted to obtain a copy of a vital record. The applicant’s relationship to the registrant and/or reason for the request will determine whether tangible interest documentation shall accompany the application. All mail-in applications must be notarized, pursuant to 19 CSR 10-10, regardless of the requestor or the reason or need for the vital record.

Certified copies of vital records ordered through VitalChek can be transferred to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for apostille/authentication and then sent directly to the recipient. To accomplish this task, please select “Apostille/Authentication” reason when ordering your certificate through VitalChek so your order may be automatically sent to the Missouri Secretary of State for apostille/authentication. If this option is selected, you will need to coordinate with the Secretary of State’s office for final processing/mailing of certificate(s).

If you did not select the “Apostille/Authentication” option and your VitalChek order was just placed/has not yet been processed, follow the steps below to manually request an apostille/authentication:

Once a certified copy of a vital record is ordered (long form certificate recommended) and order confirmation via email is received, contact the Bureau of Vital Records (573-751-6387, opt. 1) the following business morning between 9 AM - 11 AM central time to:

1. verify order is in processing queue for that day, and (b) request that the resulting certificate be forwarded for authentication/apostille

If you plan to order or have already ordered a copy of a vital record through the Jefferson City office by mail, and wish to get the copy sent to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for authentication/apostille, contact the Bureau of Vital Records at 573-751-6387.

Certificates are delivered to the Secretary of State once per week on average. The Secretary of State will then contact customer for specifics and payment for their service. Finished documents will then be sent directly to customer.

For more information about authentication/apostilles, visit: https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Business/Notary/notary/certify

The Bureau of Vital Records accepts documents containing notarization from notaries registered in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of State, documents can be notarized overseas through notarizing officers at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. It is also possible to have a document notarized by a local foreign notary and then have the document authenticated for use in the United States. Visit the Department of State’s website for more information.

In Missouri, traditional, electronic, and remote online notarization (RON) of applications/documents, including correction affidavits, are accepted by the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. The electronically notarized document must be mailed, and if necessary, along with applicable fees and documentation to the Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109.

While electronic and remote notarization is acceptable, other standard requirements still apply in completing the application process and the correction affidavit process. For more information on submitting electronic or remote notarizations, email: VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov or call 573-751-6387.

In Missouri, governmental and other authorized agencies should complete verifications and certifications of births and deaths by utilizing the Electronic Verification of Vital Events (EVVE) system. The EVVE system can either verify an identity quickly and powerfully by matching against United States birth certificate databases (a certification) or in cases where a birth certificate is in hand, EVVE allows for immediate confirmation of the document’s legitimacy (a verification). EVVE is the sole source for this capability. No other private or federal database contains this data. For more information, visit: https://www.naphsis.org/get-vital-records/for-work/on-demand.

If an EVVE birth or death verification fails, a letter requesting a manual verification may be sent to the State Registrar/Custodian of Vital Records (Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109). The letter must explain the failed EVVE verification in detail, along with the applicable vital record information trying to be verified, along with any supporting documentation, and/or notarized authorization (Ex: the Social Security Administration may submit: Form SSA-L706-F3/Form SSA-562-U3). A manual verification payment is not necessary after a failed EVVE verification/certification.

Governmental agencies can complete confidential verifications of marriages and divorces upon submission of an application for a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage or Certified Statement Relating to Divorce along with tangible interest documents or signed notarized statement authorizing release and applicable search fee to the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

Policies and procedures for release of vital records information for legitimate research purposes can be found at Data, Surveillance Systems & Statistical Reports. Scroll to the heading Data Release Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.

Personal Service for all Service of Process (subpoenas, summonses, warrants, et al.) can be served upon the Department at:           
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Office of General Counsel
912 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Note: In the State of Missouri, vital records are not open to the general public. Copies of vital records are provided to specifically defined individuals or entities. State law only allows a certified copy of a vital record to be issued to a person with a direct and tangible interest in the record upon receipt of a notarized application, statutorily required search fee, and, if applicable, tangible interest documents or a signed notarized statement authorizing release.

The Bureau of Vital Records only possess vital records that originally occurred within the State of Missouri. Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces occurring in states other than Missouri must be obtained from the state where the event took place. More information about out-of-state birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates can be found on the National Center for Health Statistics web site, "Where to Write For Vital Records." U.S. citizens (or non-citizen nationals) who have a child overseas, should work with the U.S. Department of State to obtain a "Birth of U.S. Citizens and Non-Citizen Nationals Abroad" (CRBA).