Missouri Vital Records
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In Missouri, vital records are official government records of significant life events that occur in the state. According to RSMo Section 193.015(13), significant life events refer to births, deaths, marriages, or divorces within the state. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is in charge of maintaining and managing vital records.
Specifically, the Bureau of Vital Records is the department responsible for regulating, issuing, and maintaining vital documents in Missouri. To prevent identity theft, protect people's privacy, and avoid exposing a person to danger, the state often restricts access to vital records.
The Missouri Department of Health and Safety maintains a comprehensive record of events happening in the state. These records date back to 1910, and records older than 50 years are often handed over to the state's Archive system.
Public Access to Missouri Vital Records
Vital records are considered restricted records in the state, and Section 19 CSR 10-10.090 of the Missouri state laws outlines institutions and individuals permitted to access them. This law also protects the sanctity of state records and the privacy of the registrant (ie, the person listed in the record)
Access to these records is often restricted, and only select organisations and individuals can gain access to certified copies of vital documents. Usually, family members are allowed access to an individual's vital records.
The state maintains an archive of older vital records at the Missouri State Archives. Death records or other vital documents older than 50 years are transferred to the state archives and then become accessible for public use and historical or genealogical research.
Types of Vital Records Available in Missouri
There are various types of vital records in Missouri. These include:
- Birth certificates: These are issued for live births in Missouri.
- Adoption records: In adoption cases, the Bureau of Vital Records also handles legal documents.
- Marriage records: The Bureau maintains a central registry of marriages registered in the state.
- Divorce records: These records detail divorces and marriage dissolution in the state.
- Death certificates: These are maintained by the DHSS; however, older records may be obtained from the Missouri State Archives.
- Fetal death records: These refer to stillborn births, or deaths of fetuses weighing over 350g.
Additional information about each of these vital record types can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.
Typically, the state issues short-form certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records. However, the long form of these records may be made available upon request. Long-form records usually have more details regarding the event, and may present more contextual data relevant to genealogy. For instance, long form birth certificates may contain information such as genealogical history, time of birth, medical details, or conditions upon birth.
It is important to note that short and long-form versions of these records are regarded as separate documents and must be paid for separately. Moreover, long and short-form records also have different titles. For instance, the short form record of a birth is titled "Birth Certificate" while its long-form is called "Certification of Live Birth". Similarly, the short-form record for death is titled "Certification of Death," while its long form is titled "Certificate of Death."
Official legal documents with a seal, signature, or other approved security features are known as certified copies of vital records. These copies are only issued to those with a direct and tangible interest in the registrant.
Informational copies, on the other hand, are non-legal copies that can be made accessible to anyone without the need to prove eligibility to access the documents. These documents are usually indicated as "informational" or "invalid for identification."
Missouri Birth Records
Missouri birth certificates usually include the child's full name, sex, date and place of birth, and parents' names. Long-form certificates typically contain additional information, such as the baby's weight at birth, place of residence, parents' place of birth, the date the certificate was filed for, and the date of birth registration.
Under RSMo 193.085, a certificate for a live birth must be filed with the local registrar within five days of birth. To get a birth certificate in Missouri, parents must complete the registration process at the hospital where the birth occurred. For hospital or institution births, the physician or attendant on the ground must register the birth within five days.
For home births or midwife-assisted births, birth certificates must be filed within seven days by a midwife, a witness to the birth, or another legally authorized individual who must certify the birth details or provide necessary medical information surrounding the birth. Additionally, when registering a home birth, the place of birth (house address) and evidence of the mother's residence, such as utility bills, must be provided.
The Bureau of Vital Records issues statewide birth certificates, while local public health agencies, including county health departments, issue certified copies of births within their jurisdiction. The DHSS provides statewide guidelines for birth registration.
Missouri Death Records
Missouri death certificates typically include the deceased's full name, date and time of death, date of birth, sex, place of death, cause of death, and an official government seal. Longer forms of this record may include details such as marital status, age at death, name of surviving spouse (if applicable), registration number, and the certifier's signature.
The Missouri DHSS is responsible for maintaining the statewide death registry. To obtain a certified death certificate, a formal request must be submitted to the state's Vital Records office. When a death occurs in a hospital or within their jurisdiction, local health departments and health offices may report it to the state office. However, legal death certificates are only issued at the state office.
The state does not release full death certificates to the public without authorization. Only immediate family members, next of kin, legal representatives, or individuals disbursing insurance or government benefits may obtain certified copies of death certificates.
Interested individuals can find death records in Missouri by making a formal request to the Department of Health and Senior Services, using state-approved partners, or through the local county where the death occurred.
The state also allows individuals to order a copy of a vital record via the official website. Alternatively, death certificates or records can be obtained by reaching the Department of Health and Senior Services at (573) 751-6400. For older death records, contact the Missouri State Archives at (573) 751-3280.
Missouri Marriage Records
Marriage certificates in Missouri serve the legal purpose of documenting and proving marital status. They essentially document legal unions and are used for identity verification, inheritance and estate settlements, and immigration purposes.
Missouri marriage records are primarily managed at the county level by the county recorders of deeds. These recorders hold the primary marriage records and issue licenses. However, a central copy also exists at the state level (DHSS Vital Records).
Marriage certificates issued by counties are usually certified copies that bear an official seal. Although members of the public can access marriage records, disclosure requirements may vary across counties. Hence, it is best to determine how to access marital records from the county or jurisdiction where the marriage took place.
The county clerk of the jurisdiction where the marriage occurred is the chief/primary custodian for the (marriage) license.
Missouri Divorce Records
Under Missouri law, divorce records are documents stating the dissolution of a marriage. They usually contain details such as the names of spouses and the date and place of divorce. A divorce certificate does not record the full details of the proceeding, but only the fact of marriage dissolution.
However, a court judgment or decree is a court order issued by the court to finalize a divorce. Court decrees usually state the details of property division, custody, or alimony. While divorce records are handled by the county, court decrees are handled in the courts that handled the divorce.
Additional information about Missouri divorce records and decrees can be obtained from the Missouri circuit courts.
How to Order Vital Records in Missouri
The state makes it easy to request or order vital records. There are four major ways to order vital records in Missouri. These are:
- Online: Vital records can be ordered through the Missouri Department of Health and Safety's website. Ordering a vital record online is the fastest way to get a record if the requester is not in the state or is not close to a county office. When a person orders Missouri vital records online, a physical copy of the requested record is shipped to the requester, and it arrives in 7-10 days.
- By Mail: Vital records can also be requested via mail. To do this, complete a notarised paper application for the document you're requesting and mail the document to the DHSS vital records office. Be sure to include a means of identification, proof of eligibility to request the record, and receipt of payment with the application.
- In-Person / Physical request: Vital records can also be requested in person at local county health departments or the DHSS office. However, it is important to bring along a valid means of identification, proof of eligibility, and a means to pay the required fees. The certified copy of your requested record can also be issued immediately or on the same day, depending on the county's backlog.
- By Phone: Ordering a record usually involves only online, mail, or in-person applications. However, individuals can contact the DHSS office for questions about fees, processing times, record availability, or to confirm receipt of an application.
Who Can Request Missouri Vital Records?
Only those with verifiable interests are granted certified copies of vital records. Per RSMo 193.255 and 19 CSR 10-10.090, this typically includes the registrant (i.e., the individual named on the record), their immediate family, legal guardian or representative, or authorised agencies.
To request any record, requesters must present proof of identity and proof of their relationship to the registrant.
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Record Type |
Eligible Requestors |
Required Documents |
Official Source Link |
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Birth Certificate |
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Address: Bureau of Vital Records. P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
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Death Certificate |
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Address: Bureau of Vital Records. P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
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Marriage Record |
However, the certified copy of the marriage certificate can only be obtained by the couple or their legal representatives. |
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Address: Bureau of Vital Records. P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
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Divorce Record |
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Address: Bureau of Vital Records. P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
Processing Times for Missouri Vital Records Requests
When a vital record is requested, various factors influence when it can be accessed and how long it takes to process. These factors include: the type of record requested, the method of request, the delivery method, the location (local offices are often more prompt than state offices), the volume of requests, verification and eligibility review, the accuracy of the application, and the completeness of the application.
Due to the above-listed factors, there is usually no guaranteed time for processing vital records. Mail requests to the state Bureau of Vital Records usually take longer, as they are processed manually. However, in-person requests at local public health agencies may be completed on the same day.
Note that older records generally take longer processing times. The following tips can help expedite the processing time of obtaining a record:
- Cross-check all spelling and information before submission. Mistakes often lead to processing delays.
- Request the record as early as possible.
- If the record is needed for a deadline (e.g., an insurance claim or passport application), plan with extra time in mind as there is no guaranteed processing or turnaround time.
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Record Type |
Factors That Influence Processing Time |
Considerations |
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Birth Certificate |
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Death Certificate |
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Marriage Record |
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Divorce Record |
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Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in Missouri
When requesting vital records through the state's Department of Health and Safety Services, local counties, or state-approved expedited services, the following fees may be applicable:
- Certification fee: The cost of issuing a certified copy of a vital record with an official seal. The state usually charges $15 for certification for most vital records.
- Processing fee: This fee is usually demanded to cover the cost of obtaining the record. Depending on the request method, the processing fee may vary across counties.
- Mailing/shipping costs: For records to be shipped to the requester, mailing costs are often required. In some instances, this may incur an additional cost for express shipping.
- Copy fees: Fees incurred from making additional copies of the requested vital document. The state usually charges $11 for each additional copy.
The state's official website also provides more information on vital records fees in Missouri.
How to Search Vital Records Online in Missouri
When searching for vital records, it is essential to verify information from government agencies and other trusted sources. The best places to search for online records are the Bureau of Vital Records or the Missouri State Archives. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services oversees the issuance of vital records to applicants. Online requests for vital records typically begin on the website.