Missouri Marriage, Death, Birth Records

Births and Deaths in Public Records | Marriage Jurisdictions | Types of Marriage Records |
Divorce Records | Locating Marriage Records |
AL-AZ-AR-CA-CO-CT-DE-FL-GA-ID-IL-IN-IA-KS-KY-LA-MA-MD-ME-MI-MN-MO-MT-MS-ME
NV-NE-NH-NJ-NM-NY-NC-ND-OH-OK-OR-PA-RI-SC-SD-TN-TX-VA-UT-VT-WA-WV-WI-WY

No vital records were kept on the state level before 16 August 1909. A non-compulsory birth registration law was adopted in Missouri in 1863 and provided that county recorders of deeds could record births upon request. These births are recorded in the regular deed books (or in marriage books) and are not indexed. Registration was sporadic.

In the city of St. Louis, deaths were recorded from 1850-1910 and births from 12 July 1870 through 1910. It is estimated that only about 60 percent of the births and deaths that occurred during this period were recorded. Kansas City also has intermittent early birth and death records.

In 1883 Missouri passed a state law requiring the recording of births and deaths at the county level. Ten years later this law was inadvertently repealed. Compliance was poor. Most counties do have these registers, but there is enormous variation as to how complete and/or comprehensive they are. “A Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Missouri” (deaths) was published in the Missouri State Genealogical Association Journal in the fall issue of 1984. The Historical Records Survey, Guide to Public Vital Statistics in Missouri (St. Louis, Mo.: Historical Records Survey, 1941), will also aid the researcher. Many of these early county vital records have been microfilmed and are available through the Missouri State Archives.

Marriage records are held by the county recorder of deeds. Prior to 26 June 1881, no marriage license was required; the marriage was recorded at any convenient courthouse.

Divorce records are held by the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the divorce occurred, except in St. Louis, where they are held by the City Circuit Court Clerk, City Hall, 12th and Market, St. Louis, Missouri 63103; and in Kansas City by the Judicial Records Department, Jackson County Courthouse, 415 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Choose A County in Missouri

  Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Please allow up to approximately 6-8 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: Birth records maintained by Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dept. of Health since 1903 through the present. For births that occurred within the past 75 years, copies can be requested only by the immediate family of the person whose name is on the birth certificate.
    • Cost: The cost of a birth record is $15 per record, $15 for each additional copy. The cost of a death record is $13 per record, $10 for each additional copy. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $22.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • Processing Time: 6-8 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: To request a certified copy of a marriage license contact the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the license was obtained.To request a certified copy of a divorce decree contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was granted.

Order In Person:  To request a birth or death certificate from a local health department, you may download the application and submit it in person or by mail to the nearest local health department.
Order By Mail:  Make check or money order payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. A money order must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Do not send cash. Mail to the following address: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Please include return address on envelope and application form.
Order On-Line:  To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by on-line purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek

Search Online Click Here to Search Missouri Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.

Below is a list of online resources for Missouri Vital Records.

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