Introduction to Missouri Death Certificates

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

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

Missouri Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

Missouri Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

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

Missouri Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Missouri Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Missouri Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Missouri Death 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 Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Missouri Death 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 Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Missouri Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Missouri Death certificate
• Sex on the Missouri Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Missouri Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Missouri Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Missouri Death 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 Death certificate. Most Missouri Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Missouri Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Missouri Death certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy of the Missouri Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Missouri Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $13.00. 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.