How to get a Missouri birth certificate

Ways to order

What a Missouri birth certificate costs

First certified copy

$15²

Each additional copy

$15³

Each extra year searched

$15¹

If no record is found

The fee is kept as a search fee⁷

Types of copies

No-fee copies

• One free birth certificate for a Missourian seeking a free nondriver license to vote (section 115.427 RSMo)³
• One fee-exempt birth certificate for a victim of domestic violence or abuse (form MO 580-3430)³
• One fee-exempt birth certificate for a homeless or unaccompanied youth under 21 (affidavit signed by a homeless services provider)³

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. They do not include shipping. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

Who can order a Missouri birth certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

• The person named on the record: Pursuant to 19 CSR 10-10 , the registrant, a member of his/her family, his/her guardian, or one of their official representatives shall be considered to have a direct and tangible interest and may be issued a certified copy of a vital record such as a birth or death certificate.¹
• A parent named on the record: A father may receive a copy of a birth record if he is shown as the father on that child’s birth record.¹
  Proof: May need extra documentation if the link to the record cannot be established¹
• Legal guardian: A guardian may receive a copy of the birth certificate of a child who is under his/her care and custody by showing guardianship papers.¹
  Proof: Guardianship papers¹
• Grandparent and child: Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates . Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including, cousins.¹
  Proof: May need extra documentation if the link to the record cannot be established¹
• Foster parents may receive a copy of a birth certificate of a child who is under their care and custody upon furnishing a copy of their custody papers.¹
• Attorney or legal representative: Official representatives shall include an attorney, physician, funeral director , or other authorized agent acting in behalf of the registrant or his/her family. Official representatives shall demonstrate a link between themselves and the registrant on the vital record or qualified family member.¹
  Proof: Signed contractual documentation/retainer showing representation of the family member¹
• An other authorized agent shall produce a signed and notarized statement by the registrant or a member of his/her qualified family authorizing the release of a record.¹
  Proof: Signed, notarized statement from the registrant or a qualified family member¹
• Government agency: Specifically, copies of records or data from records are allowed for public agencies administering health, welfare, safety, law enforcement, education or public assistance programs , and to private agencies approved by the state registrar.¹
• Person named in a court order: Others may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights .¹

Who cannot order a certified copy

• An alleged father may not receive a copy of a birth record if he does not appear on the record, unless the alleged father has legal proof of custody or guardianship¹

ID you need

Photo ID

Required¹

Accepted ID

• A state issued driver's license that includes a photograph and date of birth
• A state issued identification card that includes a photograph and date of birth
• A U.S. military identification card that includes a photograph
• A U.S. passport with photograph
• A school identification card/document showing applicant's name, photograph, and date of school year
• Work identification card that includes the applicant's name, photograph, and company name¹

Without that ID

Count required: 2; Examples: Letter from government or social agencies, School yearbook, A W-2 form issued within last year in addition to a signed Social Security card (social security numbers must match), Social Security card or Social Security numident printout, Court certified adoption papers that includes adopted parent(s) name, Official certified deeds or title to property, Certificate of vehicle title or registration documents, Proof of auto insurance, Insurance policy (health, home, life, etc.), Medicaid/Medicare document or identification card, A payroll stub that includes a Social Security number of applicant (cannot be handwritten stubs), Military discharge document (DD-214), Cancelled duplicate check (must show name, address, signature, and name of institution), Utility bills which shows name and address of applicant (water, gas, electric, telephone), Shelter name band (including name of shelter)¹

Notarization

Required¹

ID copy with a mail order

Not required by DHSS; mail-in applications must instead be notarized¹

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.⁷

• Full name on certificate
• Also known as (other name the birth could be recorded under)
• Date of Missouri birth
• Place of Missouri birth (city, county)
• Hospital (if applicable)
• Sex
• Parent one full name and last name before first marriage
• Parent two full name and last name before first marriage
• Applicant's name, address, phone, email
• Purpose for certificate request
• Relationship to person named on record
• Long form box (only if long form needed)

Forms

• Application for Missouri Vital Record - Birth/Death (MO 580-0641 (VS-151BD)) revision 8-2020⁷
• Affidavit of Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth Status for Fee Exempt Certified Copy of Birth Certificate (MO 580-3346) revision 8-2020⁹
• Victim of Domestic Violence or Abuse Fee Exempt Certified Copy of Birth Certificate Form (MO 580-3430 (VS-173)) revision 8-2023¹⁰
• Application for Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate by Adoptee, Adoptee's Attorney or Birth Parent (MO 580-3139 (VS-902)) revision 8-18⁸
• Application to Record Birth After 12th Birthday (MO 580-0636 (VS-200)) revision 3-2024¹¹

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds

1910 to today¹

Older records

Missouri State Archives (birth and death records 1883-1893 on microfilm)¹²

Special situations

Delayed registration

Processing an application to record a birth after the 12th birthday costs $15.00 (does not include a new certified copy)² Details

Adoption

Adoptees, their attorneys, birth parents and lineal descendants of deceased adoptees may get a non-certified copy of the original birth certificate; not orderable online¹ Details

People without housing

A shelter ID can serve as one form of ID; one fee-exempt copy for homeless or unaccompanied youth under 21³

If no record is found

If no record is found, a statement will be issued; the search fee is not refunded⁷

Use abroad

Order through VitalChek and select the "Apostille/Authentication" reason, or call BVR (573-751-6387 opt. 1) to have the certificate forwarded to the Missouri Secretary of State; long form recommended¹

Paternity

If paternity affidavits were submitted, adding the father takes approximately 2-4 weeks³

Warnings from the office

• Missouri BVR is not connected to any other online or phone service and is not responsible for lost fees or stolen personal data from unapproved companies⁵
• Unauthorized services often overcharge by misrepresenting official prices⁵
• A cashed check does not mean the application has been processed¹
• Requests received without the correct fee are returned¹

The state office

Office

Bureau of Vital Records¹

Phone

573-751-6387¹

Email

[email protected]¹

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

Website

Official website¹³

Questions people ask