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Missouri vital records

The Bureau of Vital Records is the vital records office for Missouri.1 It issues certified birth certificates and death certificates1. Local offices also issue certified copies.1

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • Mail-in requests to Jefferson City take approximately 4-8 weeks; local offices are usually fastest1
  • MoEVR 2.0 electronic system rollout in phases through summer 2027 (death registration spring 2026, birth/fetal death spring 2027, LPHA issuance summer 2027)2
  • A second Jefferson City location at 3400 W Truman Blvd is open all day with no appointment3

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records11910 to today1$154At a local office: Same day3
Death certificateMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records11910 to today1$144At a local office: Same day3
Marriage certificateCounty Recorder of Deeds (certified copy of the marriage certificate); DHSS Bureau of Vital Records1July 1, 1948 to today1$154Online through VitalChek: 5 to 7 business days3
Divorce recordsCircuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted (decree); DHSS Bureau of Vital Records1July 1, 1948 to today1$154Online through VitalChek: 5 to 7 business days3

Birth certificate

Who holds it
Local public health agencies (city/county health departments) also issue short-form birth certificates for births 1920-present; in St. Louis City, the Recorder of Deeds1
Older records
Missouri State Archives (birth and death records 1883-1893 on microfilm)5
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Missouri birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
A certified copy of a death record can only be issued after acceptance and registration with the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records (effective August 28, 2023)2
Older records
Missouri State Archives holds death certificates more than 50 years old (cannot issue certified copies)5
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Missouri death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
The state statement shows only both names, date of marriage and county; it is not a marriage certificate1
Older records
Recorder of Deeds in the county where the license was obtained1
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Missouri marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
The state statement shows only both names, date of divorce and county1
Older records
Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted1
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get Missouri divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes1
Which offices
Local public health agency (city/county health department) for birth and death; county Recorder of Deeds for marriage; circuit clerk for divorce; in St. Louis City, the Recorder of Deeds6
Any office for any county
Yes3

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed: certified copies only to a person with a direct and tangible interest1

Laws and rules the office cites

  • RSMo Chapter 193 (vital statistics) and 19 CSR 10-10 (vital records rules)8
  • Section 193.255 RSMo and 19 CSR 10-10.090: State Registrar may authorize access for entities not normally entitled1
  • Section 193.265 RSMo: fees and fee-exempt copies2
  • Missouri Adoptee Rights Act, sections 193.125 and 193.128 RSMo1
  • HB 1634 (2004), RSMo 193.225 and 193.245(4): death records over 50 years old transferred to the State Archives5

The state office

Office
Bureau of Vital Records1
Mailing address
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109
1
Walk-in address
Jefferson City Vital Record Lobby, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109
1
Hours
Monday-Friday 9 AM-3 PM Central (front window/lobby), excluding state and federal holidays1

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in Missouri?

A certified birth certificate costs $15 for the first copy and a death certificate $14.4

What is the phone number of the Missouri vital records office?

Bureau of Vital Records: 573-751-6387.1

Where do I get a marriage certificate in Missouri?

County Recorder of Deeds (certified copy of the marriage certificate); DHSS Bureau of Vital Records (Certified Statement Relating to Marriage). The state statement shows only both names, date of marriage and county; it is not a marriage certificate.1

Where do I get divorce records in Missouri?

Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted (decree); DHSS Bureau of Vital Records (Certified Statement Relating to Divorce). The state statement shows only both names, date of divorce and county.1

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Order a Copy of a Vital Record | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  2. News & Updates | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  3. Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  4. Notice of Fees | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  5. Missouri Vital RecordsMissouri State Archives (Secretary of State)
  6. Local Public Health Agency Information | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  7. Find Your Local Public Health Agency | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  8. Application for Missouri Vital Record - Birth/Death (MO 580-0641, 8-2020)Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2020
  9. Vital Records | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records