How to Find Birth Records in Missouri

There is so much information on people online nowadays such that you can find almost anything on them. This include their birth records. This guide is aimed at looking at ways on how to find birth records in Missouri.

Missouri, located in Midwestern part of the United States, has a population of about 6.1 million. The state began recording birth in 1910. County clerks were required to records birth by law in Missouri between 1883 and 1893. Statewide registration was not achieved until 1910.

To obtained a copy of birth records between 1821 and 1909, you can get in touch with the Missouri State Archives. There is a list of all records which are known to be available that were created by the Missouri State Archives according to county found here.

If you are not familiar with the precise date and place of birth, the Missouri Department of Health will conduct a 5-year search for you. If know the exact date and place of birth then you can request of copy of those birth records at a fee from County of Birth and from Missouri Department of Health.

Ordering birth records from county of birth may be an advantage as it may cheaper and faster than from the state. The only problem with county birth requests is that most county sites are hard to navigate.

Missouri Restrictions towards Birth Records

Not everyone is allowed to access to a copy of birth records in Missouri except for the following:

• The person named on the birth record
• The current spouse of the person named on the birth record
• The current domestic partner of the person named on the birth record
• A parent of the person named on the birth record
• A sibling of the person named on the birth record
• A child of the person named on the birth record
• A grandparent of the person named on the birth record
• Any individual authorized in writing by one of the above. The written authorization must come with the request and the relationship of the authorizing party to the owner of the record must be plainly explained.
• A person who can prove that the record is vital to protect a personal or property right.

Anyone who does not meet these requirements cannot receive a certified copy of a birth record from Missouri.

Missouri has two types of birth certificates that it offers. There is the short form certificate and the long form birth certificates. The short form birth certificates are mostly the one used for birth records requests.

Uses of Missouri Birth Records

Certified copies of birth records are essential in Missouri for the following purposes:

• Driver’s license application
• School registration
• Insurance proceeds claims
• Social security number application
• Death benefits payouts/claims

Long form birth certificates, sometimes referred to as Certificates of Live Births, are original birth certificate replicas. They come with other information like parents’ occupation and birth time. There are hardly any moments when these are needed except when short form copies have been altered a lot or for geological purposes.

Details found in a common Missouri birth certificate include the following:

• Child’s name
• Child’s gender
• Place of birth
• Date of birth
• Full names of the parents

How to Find Missouri Birth Records

You can obtain birth records in Missouri through mail in and in person services from Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. This is where birth records in Missouri are managed from 1910 to today. In person request have the advantage that they can be faster, meaning you can get the records same day.

You can get the short form birth certificates from any local health department or through the State Vital Records Office which is located in Jefferson City. It is the only the Sate Vital Records Office that offers the long form birth certificates in Missouri. Approved third party sites also offer both these types of certificates if you are looking for an online solution.

Request by Mail

Applicants looking to obtain a copy of a birth certificate in Missouri by mail should follow these instructions:

• Download and fill out the Application for Missouri Vital Record-Birth/Death.
• Provide proof of real interest or certified statements (if applicable)
• Provide the proof of payment of the required fee.

These should be mailed in a self-addressed stamp:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Request in Person

In person requests can be made visit the local health department (or local public health agency). Applicants should provide the following:

• Provide written proof of direct interest or certified statement (if applicable).
• Produce a valid state-approved photo ID (or two other forms of identification documents if a photo identification card is unavailable).
• Include payment proof with the application
• Provide a print-out of the filled Application for Missouri Vital Record – Birth/Death with the above requirements.

These tips can assist you on how to find birth records in Missouri. They will show you all conditions, places and methods to a birth record in Missouri.