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What are Missouri Vital Records?
Vital records in Missouri are the official records of all births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the state of Missouri. Some Missouri vital records are maintained at the county level, and others are maintained at the Missouri Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
In Missouri, all vital records are confidential and will only be provided to persons who can show a direct and tangible interest in the record.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Missouri?
Missouri began keeping a central registry of births and deaths that occurred in the state from January 1, 1910, to the present.
Only the following persons may obtain a certified copy of a Missouri birth certificate:
- The registrant, if of legal age and proof of date of birth.
- The parents listed on the record.
- A step-parent with proof of relationship.
- A foster parent with proof of legal custody.
- The spouse, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of the registrant.
- The legal guardian of the registrant, with legal guardianship documents.
- An authorized agent of an eligible person with a signed and notarized consent of release.
- Any person with a court order.
If eligible, you may obtain a copy of a Missouri birth record online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
To order online or by phone, you should visit Missouri (MO) Vital Records | Order Certificates - VitalChek or contact VitalChek at 877-817-7363, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each copy of a Missouri birth certificate costs $15, and VitalChek charges an additional fee to order online or by phone. Fees may be paid by major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
To order a Missouri birth certificate by mail, you should complete the Application for Missouri Vital Records – Birth/Death form. Mail your completed applications, along with a copy of a valid photo ID, and the appropriate fees (which may be made by check or money order payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) to either your local Missouri Public Health Agency or to the Office of Vital Records at:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
The Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Fees for certified copies of birth certificates are $15 for each copy. For more information, you may call the Office of Vital Records at 573-751-6387.
To obtain copies of Missouri birth certificates in person locally, you should contact your local Missouri vital records office for an appointment. To obtain a copy of a Missouri birth certificate in person from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you can schedule an appointment by calling 573-751-6387 or by texting 573-291-8290. By appointment, services are offered from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the last appointment scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Death Certificate in Missouri?
Access to Missouri death certificates is restricted to immediate family members and those who can show a legitimate interest in the record, which includes the following persons:
- A child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of the decedent.
- The surviving spouse of the decedent.
- A parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent of the decedent.
- A sibling of the decedent.
- A health care agent of the decedent, with a valid health care power of attorney document.
- A personal representative of the decedent's estate.
- An heir of the decedent.
- Genealogists representing a family member or a recognized professional genealogist.
- A person demonstrating that the death certificate is needed to determine or protect a personal or property right, with supporting documentation.
- Anyone with a court order.
If eligible, you may obtain a copy of a Missouri death record online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
To order copies of death certificates online or by phone, you should visit Missouri (MO) Vital Records | Order Certificates - VitalChek or contact VitalChek at 877-817-7363, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fees for a Missouri death certificate are $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy. VitalChek charges an additional fee to order online or by phone. Fees may be paid by major debit and credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
To order a Missouri death certificate by mail, you should complete the Application for Missouri Vital Records – Birth/Death form. Mail your completed death certificate application, along with a copy of a valid photo ID, such as a valid driver's license, and the appropriate fees (which may be made by check or money order payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) to either your local Missouri Public Health Agency or to the Office of Vital Records at:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Fees for certified copies of Missouri death certificates are $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy. For more information, you may call the Office of Vital Records at 573-751-6387.
To obtain a copy of a Missouri death certificate in person locally, you should contact your local Missouri Public Health Agency for an appointment. To obtain a copy of a Missouri death certificate in person from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you can schedule an appointment or get general information by calling 573-751-6387 or by texting 573-291-8290. By appointment, services are offered from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the last appointment scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Missouri Marriage Certificate?
There are two types of Missouri marriage records available. The first is a marriage statement that is issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which will include only the names of the spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where the marriage occurred. To obtain a copy of the Marriage Statement, you will need to complete an Application for Missouri Vital Records – Marriage/Divorce/Single Status form.
You may obtain a copy of a Missouri marriage statement online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
To order online or by phone, you should visit Missouri (MO) Vital Records | Order Certificates - VitalChek or contact VitalChek at 877-817-7363, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fees for a Missouri marriage statement is $15 for each copy. VitalChek charges an additional fee to order online or by phone. Fees may be paid by major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
To order a Missouri marriage statement by mail, you should complete the Application for Missouri Vital Records – Marriage/Divorce/Single Status form. Mail your completed application, along with a copy of a valid photo ID, and the appropriate fees (which may be made by check or money order payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) the Office of Vital Records at:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Fees for copies of a Missouri marriage statement are $15 for each copy of a record. For more information, you may call the Office of Vital Records at 573-751-6387.
To obtain a copy of a Missouri marriage statement in person from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you can schedule an appointment by calling 573-751-6387 or by texting 573-291-8290. By appointment, services are offered from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the last appointment scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays.
The second type of Missouri marriage document is a marriage certificate. A certified copy of the original marriage certificate may only be obtained at the local Missouri county Recorder of Deeds where the marriage license was obtained. You will need to contact the local county Recorder of Deeds office to determine their requirements for obtaining a certified copy of the marriage certificate, as the requirements vary by county.
How Can I Get a Copy of a Divorce Record in Missouri?
There are two types of Missouri divorce documents available. The first is a divorce statement that is issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which will include only the names of the spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where the divorce decree was granted. To obtain a copy of the Divorce Statement, you will need to complete an Application for Missouri Vital Records – Marriage/Divorce/Single Status form.
You may obtain a copy of a Missouri divorce statement online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
To order online or by phone, you should visit Missouri (MO) Vital Records | Order Certificates - VitalChek or contact VitalChek at 877-817-7363, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fees for a Missouri divorce statement is $15 for each copy. VitalChek charges an additional fee to order online or by phone. Fees may be paid by major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
To order a Missouri divorce statement by mail, you should complete the Application for Missouri Vital Records – Marriage/Divorce/Single Status form. Mail your completed application, along with a copy of a valid photo ID, and the appropriate fees (which may be made by check or money order payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) the Office of Vital Records at:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Fees for copies of a Missouri divorce statement are $15 for each copy. For more information, you may call the Office of Vital Records at 573-751-6387.
To obtain a copy of a Missouri divorce statement in person from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you can schedule an appointment by calling 573-751-6387 or by texting 573-291-8290. By appointment services are offered from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the last appointment scheduled for 2:30 pm., Monday through Friday, except for holidays.
The second type of Missouri divorce document is a divorce decree. A certified copy of the original divorce decree may only be obtained at the local Missouri Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the divorce judgment was granted. You will need to contact the local county Circuit Clerk's office to determine their requirements for obtaining a certified copy of the marriage certificate, as the requirements vary by county.