Introduction to Missouri Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Missouri birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Missouri birth certificates have been maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for individuals born in the state of Missouri since 1910.

Missouri Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Missouri state law, Missouri birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Missouri Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Missouri Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Missouri Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Missouri Birth Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Missouri Birth Certificate

Missouri Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

To obtain a Missouri birth certificate for genealogy purposes you must prove that you are a member of the immediate family of the person named on the Missouri Birth Certificate.

Missouri Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Missouri Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Missouri Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Missouri Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Missouri Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Missouri birth certificate online.  It usually takes 3 months upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Missouri birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Missouri birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Missouri birth certificate
• Sex on the Missouri birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Missouri birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Missouri birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Missouri birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Missouri birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Missouri birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Bureau of Vital Records

P.O. Box 570

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Missouri: You may go to any county health department in the State of Missouri to obtain a certified copy of a Missouri birth certificate. Most Missouri birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Missouri Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Missouri birth certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy of the Missouri birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Missouri birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $15.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.