Missouri Birth Records

Missouri started statewide registration of births in January 1910 in Missouri. Before that, counties made an effort to collate birth information reported within their jurisdictions. However, compliance was inconsistent until the state mandated the central recording of birth records in 1910.

Missouri birth records are essential documents that serve as official proof of an individual's birth. Missouri offers two primary versions of birth certificates: The Long-form Birth Certificate and the Short-form Birth Certificate.

The Long-form Birth Certificate, also called a Certificate of Live Birth, is a comprehensive copy of the original birth record. It contains detailed information, including the name on the birth certificate, the time of birth, detailed parental information, the attending physician's details, and the hospital where the birth occurred. The long-form birth record may be required for situations where detailed birth information is necessary, such as adoption proceedings and dual citizenship applications.

The Short-form Birth Certificate, also called Birth Certification, is an abstract of the long-form birth certificate. It is an abbreviated version of the original birth certificate. It includes essential details such as the individual's name, date of birth, and place of birth. It excludes detailed information such as parental information. Short-form birth certificates are ideal in situations where the full birth record is not required, such as enrolling for school or personal identification purposes.

Birth records may also be certified or informational copies. Certified copies of birth records are official documents bearing the registrar's raised, embossed seal, the registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed. Certified birth records are recognized as legal documents and can be used for official identification purposes.

Informational copies of birth records are non-official copies that provide the same information as the certified version but lack the official seals and signatures. Informational copies of birth records are ideal for genealogical research or personal records. It is not valid for legal transactions.

How To Order a Missouri Birth Certificate?

You can order birth records from January 1910 to date at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) - Bureau of Vital Records. To request the birth certificate, fill out the Application for Vital Record- Birth form. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, a valid government-issued ID, and the fees with the application. Birth certificates ordered from the state Vital Records office cost $15. Mail the complete application to:

You may also contact your local public health agency to order birth certificates from 1920 to the present. To order the birth record, complete and notarize the Application for a Vital Record form. Include proof of relationship to the record holder and an acceptable government-issued photo ID. There is a $15.00 fee per birth certificate, with each additional copy costing $15.00. You can drop off the form in person or mail it to your local public health agency.

Are Birth Records Public in Missouri?

Birth records are not considered public records in Missouri and are not accessible to the public. Access to birth records is restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record. Missouri restricts access to birth records to protect individuals' privacy and prevent identity theft.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Missouri?

Per state law, only persons with a direct and tangible interest in the record may order certified copies of birth records in Missouri. To this end, the following individuals are eligible to request a certified copy of a birth certificate:

• The registrant
• The Parents or legal guardian
• Immediate family members, including spouses, adult children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings
• Official representatives, such as attorneys, funeral directors, and physician
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A Missouri Birth Certificate?

The processing times for mail requests for birth records from the Missouri DHSS - Bureau of Vital Records is 2 to 4 weeks. When applying in person, requests are typically processed the same day. Similarly, in-person requests for birth certificates at a local county health department are usually processed within a few hours.

While the state does not offer expedited processing of birth certificate requests, if you need your record faster, you may use the third-party service approved by the DHSS to order the record online. This service provider processes vital record requests within 3 - 5 business days for an additional fee.

Where Can I Find Missouri Birth Records for Free?

Certified copies of Missouri birth records are restricted to authorized individuals. However, non-eligible persons may access informational copies through various sources. These copies are ideal for genealogical research and personal interest rather than official purposes.

The National Vital Records Archives houses various public records, including vital records. It provides information on where to write for vital records in each state, including Missouri. While they do not offer direct access to birth records, they guide you to the appropriate state resources.

Genealogy websites like FamilySearch.org a free service that offers indexes of birth records, including Missouri birth records. Similarly, Ancestry.com is a subscription-based service with a vast collection of genealogical records, including Missouri birth registers from 1847 to 2003.

Third-party websites like PublicRecords.us collate public records from multiple public databases. The platform provides a searchable database to access basic information of both old and current birth records for free.

When Would I Need My Missouri Birth Records?

Birth certificates serve as official proof of an individual's identity, citizenship, and age. There are various instances where presenting a certified copy of your birth certificate is essential, including:

• Applying for a passport
• Replacing a Social Security card
• Enrolling in school
• Applying for a marriage license
• Applying for government benefits
• Obtaining a driver's license
• Establishing legal rights to inheritance

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Missouri?

You can replace your missing, lost, stolen, damaged, or misplaced birth certificate in Missouri. The process to replace your birth certificate is the same as ordering a certified copy of your birth record.

To order the record, download and complete the Application for a Vital Records-Birth form from the DHSS -Bureau of Vital Records. Provide a valid photo ID and pay the fees. A replacement copy of your certified birth record costs $15. Mail the completed form, supporting documents, and fees to the DHSS Bureau of Vital Records. Replacement birth certificate requests are processed within 2 to 4 weeks.

When Can the Public Access Missouri Birth Certificates?

Birth records are not open records in Missouri. Access to birth records in the state is restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record. Unlike some states that make birth certificates open records after a set period, Missouri law does not specify a time frame after which birth records become publicly accessible.

How To Correct an Error on a Missouri Birth Certificate?

Missouri permits corrections to birth certificates for typographical errors, misspellings, incorrect dates, or other factual inaccuracies. However, amendments that require significant changes to personal information or legal status require a court order.

You can correct your birth certificate by downloading and completing the appropriate record correction form on the DHSS Bureau of Vital Records website. The form must be signed in the presence of a notary public. Include documents substantiating the correction, such as hospital records, school records, or court orders.

Mail the completed application to the DHSS Bureau of Vital Statistics. There is no processing fee to correct errors on your birth certificate. However, to obtain a copy of the corrected record, a $15 fee is required.

Does Missouri Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

No. Missouri does not issue non-binary or gender-neutral birth certificates. Currently, birth certificates issued in the state do not offer a non-binary gender marker option. Birth certificates issued at birth carry gender markers "Male" and "Female" only.

However, the state does allow individuals to amend their gender marker on their birth certificates. To this end, persons seeking to change their gender on their birth certificate must provide a court order indicating they have undergone gender affirmation surgery. Nonetheless, this policy only allows you to change your gender marker from "Male" to "Female" or vice versa. It does not include the non-binary gender marker "X".