The state of Missouri holds all vital records to be confidential, with no exceptions for old documents and even immediate family are not eligible to request a copy. You can only get a copy of a Missouri birth record if the record is your own, or you are the parent or guardian of the person on the record. Anyone operating in a legal capacity may also be able to request a copy, providing they can include proof of their need for it.
Missouri's collection of birth records starts in 1910, with some incomplete records from years prior to that.
If you are looking to get a Missouri birth record (they issue certified copies only), you can either apply directly to the office of Vital Records or to any local public health department. You can get a list of the local offices (http://health.mo.gov/living/lpha/lphas.php) from the state Health Services website, and they are organized by county. The only exception is in St. Louis City. There you will have to ask about a birth certificate at the Recorder of Deeds office.
Whether you apply at the main office or local offices, the process and restrictions for getting a Missouri birth record are the same.
For mailing to the main office, their address is the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 570, Jefferson City MO 65101 USA. Their website also has the form you will need to download in order to make your request (http://health.mo.gov/data/vitalrecords/pdf/birthdeath.pdf).
Take care when filling out the form to use the right sections as the same forms are used to request death records as well. Provide as much information as you can, such as the full name on the certificate, date and place of birth, hospital name if known, sex, race and names of the parents. Vital records will search a 5-year period if you do not know the exact date of birth.
You will have to have your forms notarized if you are going to send them through the mail, to verify your identity. In-person requests will have to show 1 piece of government issued photo ID.
A fee is also charged for each search of a Missouri birth record. At the moment, that fee is $15 USD and additional copies of the same record are issued at the same price. If you are visiting a local office, you may be able to pay in cash but otherwise you will need a check or money order that has been made out to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Should your record not be located, the fee is not refunded. It usually takes between 2 and 4 weeks for a response.
Because the rules are so strict in getting actual copies of Missouri birth records, you may want to try researching through the archived indexes instead. The index listings can provide a fair bit of information, such as name, place of birth, date of birth and parent's names. These can actually be searched online at the Missouri State Archives website (http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/birthdeath/) where you can see a transcript of the registration.
How to request Missouri birth certificates
Step 1.
If you prefer to mail in your request for Missouri birth records, then you will need to start by fully completing a Missouri Birth Certificate application.
Step 2.
Make sure that the entire application, except for your signature, is printed legibly. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request so that the record can be returned to you.
Step 3.
Mail the application and a check or money order for $15 to the Department of Health and Senior Services. It can take up to four weeks to have your order returned to you.
If you have additional questions about requesting Missouri birth records, you can contact Department below:
Missouri Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Records
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-6387
Obtaining Copies Of Missouri Birth Records
If you need copies of you Missouri birth records, then you can often obtain them from your local health department. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services also maintains all of the birth records for the state and can process your request as well.
Available Ordering Methods
There are a few different ordering methods that you can use to obtain copies of Missouri birth records. If you need your request processed right away, then you can visit your local health department. You can also complete and mail in an application. There is also the option to order by phone from an independent provider, though there is an additional fee for that service.
Limited Record Access
Missouri birth records are not available to just anyone. To make a request, you will need to prove your relationship to the person on the record (either self or a parent or spouse) or be able to demonstrate a legal need for the record. Legal guardians are required to submit proof of guardianship with their requests.
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