Missouri
Missouri Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Long vs Short Form
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 8, 2026). · 13 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Bureau of Vital Records, issues Missouri birth certificates, and each certified copy costs $15. You can order by mail from the bureau in Jefferson City, online or by phone through VitalChek, or in person at the state office or one of the local public health agencies that offer walk-in service.
For the fastest result, DHSS says a local public health agency can usually issue a birth certificate the same day. Mail orders to Jefferson City take approximately 4-8 weeks. For other states, see our guide to birth certificates by state.
Information last verified on October 6, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
This page covers ordering, fees, eligibility and amendments for birth certificates filed with the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. It is general information about Missouri vital records rules, not legal advice.
Where to order a Missouri birth certificate
Missouri has three routes: a local public health agency, the state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City (by mail or in person), and VitalChek for online and phone orders. Which one fits depends on how fast you need it and which version of the certificate you want.
At a local public health agency (usually fastest)
DHSS says 115 local public health agencies offer walk-in vital records services and can usually provide same-day birth certificates. The fee is the same as at the state office.
Local agencies have Missouri births from 1920 to the present, though not every agency has every year. They issue the short-form certificate only. A delayed birth certificate is not available from local agencies; order it from the state office in person or by mail, where it is issued in long form only. For an earlier record or a long form, order from the state office or VitalChek.
St. Louis City is different
The St. Louis City Health Department does not issue vital records. Missouri-born residents in the St. Louis City area can get records at the Recorder of Deeds office, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room 126, St. Louis, MO 63103, (314) 613-3016.
By mail to Jefferson City
Mail the completed application, notarized, with any required documents, a legal-size self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the fee. Make it payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, drawn on a U.S. bank. Send it to the Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
DHSS cashes checks on receipt. Electronic and remote online notarization is accepted.
In person at the state office
The Bureau of Vital Records lobby at 930 Wildwood Drive in Jefferson City serves customers Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central, and DHSS recommends an appointment (573-751-6387). Same-day service at the state office is not guaranteed.
Online or by phone through VitalChek
DHSS names VitalChek as an authorized resource for online vital records ordering. VitalChek takes orders around the clock at 1-877-817-7363 and routes each order to the state bureau or a regional office.
VitalChek charges an additional fee for its service, which DHSS does not list, and offers overnight delivery. Start from the DHSS order page so you reach the vendor the state names.
Other websites that offer to order a birth certificate for you are not the issuing office. DHSS says VitalChek is the only service Missouri approves for online and phone orders and warns that unauthorized services often overcharge.
How much a Missouri birth certificate costs
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate (includes a five-year search) | $15 |
| Each additional copy | $15 |
| Online or phone order through VitalChek | $15 per copy plus a VitalChek fee (amount not listed by DHSS) |
| Correction of a birth record by affidavit | No fee (new certified copy not included) |
| Processing a court-ordered change | $15 (new certified copy not included) |
| Recording a birth after the 12th birthday | $15 (new certified copy not included) |
| Registration by standard process or court order | No fee (new certified copy not included) |
| Processing an adoption decree or a legitimation | $15, plus $15 per copy of the new certificate |
The $15 search fee covers a five-year search. If no record is found, DHSS issues a no-record statement and does not refund the fee.
Free copy for voter ID
Under RSMo 115.427, the Bureau of Vital Records can provide one free certified Missouri birth certificate for someone who needs it to get a nondriver license for voter identification. Ask the bureau about this exemption when you apply.
How long it takes
These are DHSS's published estimates, not guarantees.
| Route | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Local public health agency | Usually the same day |
| VitalChek, online or phone | 5-7 business days |
| Mail to the Bureau of Vital Records | Approximately 4-8 weeks |
Expedited mailing is available for online orders, and VitalChek offers overnight delivery.
Who can get a certified copy
Missouri vital records are not open to the public. Under RSMo 193.255.1 and the rules at 19 CSR 10-10, a certified copy goes only to someone with a "direct and tangible interest": the registrant, a family member, a guardian, or an official representative.
Official representatives include an attorney, physician or other agent. Others can apply with a signed, notarized statement from the registrant or a qualified family member.
For birth certificates, DHSS defines immediate family as family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including, cousins. The applicant must identify at least one parent named on the record.
Someone outside those groups may still be eligible by supplying documents showing a direct and tangible interest, such as a personal or property right. The state registrar may also authorize agencies to use records for statistical or administrative purposes.
ID and notarization
In person, you must show one current photo ID (a state driver's license or ID card, U.S. military ID, U.S. passport, or a school or work photo ID). If you have no photo ID, DHSS accepts at least two alternate documents, such as a Social Security card, a utility bill with your name and address, a Medicaid or Medicare card, or a DD-214.
By mail, the application must be signed and notarized by an acceptable notary public. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, plus any documents showing a tangible interest if you are not the registrant or immediate family.
For online orders, VitalChek can verify identity using LexisNexis public-record data.
Short form vs long form
Missouri issues two versions. The short form, titled a "Birth Certification," is an abstract and the default. DHSS says it satisfies most purposes, such as a driver's license, school enrollment or ID. It is available at local public health agencies, the state office and VitalChek.
The long form, officially titled a "Certificate of Live Birth," is a copy of the original record. It is available only from the state office in Jefferson City or through VitalChek, and you request it by checking the long-form box on the application. DHSS says it may be preferred if the record has had prior changes or for genealogy.
DHSS does not say which version passport agencies accept. Federal rules at 22 C.F.R. § 51.42(a) require a birth certificate for a passport to show your full name, place and date of birth, and your parents' full names, with the custodian's signature, the issuing office's seal, and a filing date within one year of birth. Check the version you order against that list.
Correcting or amending a Missouri birth certificate
Missouri separates simple corrections, which use an affidavit, from changes that need a court order. Supporting documents must be in English or officially translated.
Correcting an error by affidavit
A notarized correction affidavit, with supporting documentation, fixes an item that was recorded wrong. DHSS says the affidavit process "shall only be utilized to restore an item to its intended original value." There is no fee for the correction itself, but a new certified copy costs $15.
Changes that need a court order
A court order is required when an affidavit cannot be used, for example a legal name change, a surname change of three or more letters, or deleting a father's name. Processing a court-ordered change costs $15, not including a new copy. The court process for a name change is covered in our guide to Missouri name change laws.
Adding a father
Both parents can sign an Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity to add the father. Either parent may file a rescission within 60 days of the last signature or by the date of a proceeding to establish child support for the child, whichever comes first, according to DHSS. Rescinding does not remove the father's name from the certificate; DHSS says only a court order can do that.
If the mother marries the father after the birth, the record can be legitimated with notarized affidavits from both parents and a certified marriage license. Legitimation costs $15, and certified copies of the new certificate are $15 each.
Sex designation
RSMo 193.215.9 provides that a Missouri birth certificate "shall be amended" upon a certified court order indicating the person's sex "has been changed by surgical procedure" and that the person's name has been changed. Under 19 CSR 10-10.110, as amended effective Sept. 30, 2023, a court order is required to change the sex when it was changed by surgical procedure, or to change both sex and name when the name is typical of the opposite sex. An affidavit is not required when there is a court order. Contact the Bureau of Vital Records for the current procedure.
Registering a birth that was never recorded
A Missouri birth is delayed when it was not filed within the statutory time, which is five days under RSMo 193.085. The process depends on the person's age.
For a child under 12 born in Missouri with no prior certificate, a delayed certificate is filed on the prescribed form and marked "Delayed" under RSMo 193.105.
For a person 12 or older, you first request a search ($15). If the bureau issues a Statement of No Record, you file the Application/Certificate to Record Birth After 12th Birthday with two of the suggested documents, and the $15 search fee is applied to the registration. This application cannot be filed for a deceased person.
If the registrar refuses to register the birth, you can go to court and obtain a court order. Copies of a delayed certificate show the documentary evidence used, and an incorrect delayed certificate can be changed only by court order.
Adoption and new birth certificates
After an adoption, the court clerk sends a certificate of decree of adoption under RSMo 453.100 and a new birth record is created. DHSS places the adoption decree in a sealed file, open to inspection only on court order. Processing costs $15, plus $15 for each copy.
Access to the original record is a separate question governed by Missouri adoption law; see Missouri adoption records.
Older records and genealogy
Missouri vital records are restricted, not public records. For how this compares across the country, see are birth certificates public records.
Genealogy requests need the same notarized application and search fee as any other request. Statewide birth registration began January 1, 1910, although some delayed certificates may cover earlier births. The Missouri Secretary of State's Missouri Digital Heritage website has publicly available information on birth certificates before 1910.
Using a Missouri birth certificate abroad
A foreign government may ask for an apostille. For a state-issued vital record, the apostille comes from the secretary of state of the state that issued it, according to USAGov.
This article provides general legal information about Missouri birth certificates, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change, so confirm with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, before you order. Information verified October 6, 2026. For advice about your situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Missouri.
Related
- Birth certificates by state
- Are birth certificates public records?
- Missouri adoption records
- Missouri name change laws
Last updated: October 6, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a birth certificate in Missouri?
DHSS charges $15 per certified copy, including additional copies, at the state office and local public health agencies. VitalChek adds its own fee for online and phone orders.
Can I get a Missouri birth certificate the same day?
Usually, at a local public health agency. DHSS says the 115 agencies offering walk-in service can usually provide same-day birth certificates; same-day service at the Jefferson City office is not guaranteed.
How long does a Missouri birth certificate take by mail?
DHSS says standard mail-in requests take approximately 4-8 weeks. Phone and online orders through VitalChek take 5-7 business days.
Does a Missouri birth certificate application need to be notarized?
Yes, if you mail it. DHSS requires mail-in applications to be signed and notarized; in-person applicants show proper identification instead.
What is the difference between a Missouri short form and long form birth certificate?
The short form, a Birth Certification, is the default and satisfies most purposes. The long form, a Certificate of Live Birth, is a copy of the original record and is available only from the state office or VitalChek.
Where do I get a birth certificate in St. Louis City?
Not at the St. Louis City Health Department. DHSS directs Missouri-born residents to the Recorder of Deeds office at City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room 126.
How do I correct a birth certificate in Missouri?
Errors are fixed with a notarized correction affidavit and supporting documents, with no fee for the correction itself. Changes such as a legal name change need a court order and a $15 processing fee.
Can I get a free birth certificate in Missouri for voter ID?
Under RSMo 115.427, the Bureau of Vital Records can provide one free certified Missouri birth certificate for someone obtaining a nondriver license for voter identification.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XII (PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE), Chapter 193
§ 193.255Certified copies of vital records, issuance — probative value — cooperation with federal agencies and other states — issuance of certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth, when.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. The state registrar and other custodians of vital records authorized by the state registrar to issue certified copies of vital records upon receipt of application shall issue a certified copy of any vital record in his custody or a part thereof to any applicant having a direct and tangible interest in the vital record. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration, and copies issued from records marked "Delayed" or "Amended" shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. The documentary evidence used to establish a delayed certificate shall be shown on all copies issued. All forms and procedures used in the issuance of certified copies of vital records in the state shall be provided or approved by the state registrar.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
Also relied on in: How to Get a Missouri Death Certificate (2026)
§ 193.215Amendment of certificates and reports — acknowledgment of paternity affidavit, notice to be given parents — rescission of acknowledgment, filing — paternity establishment services offered by department.In force
1. A certificate or report registered pursuant to sections 193.005 to 193.325 may be amended only pursuant to the provisions of sections 193.005 to 193.325, and regulations adopted by the department. 2. A certificate or report that is amended pursuant to this section shall be marked "Amended" except as otherwise provided in this section. The date of amendment and a summary description of the evidence submitted in support of the amendment shall be endorsed on or made part of the record. 3. Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction changing the name of a person born in this state and upon request of such person or such person's parents, guardian, or legal representative, the state registrar shall amend the certificate of birth to show the new name. The court order shall include such facts as are necessary to locate and identify the certificate of birth of the person whose name is being changed.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
§ 193.105Delayed filing, registration — refusal — appeal.In force
1. When a certificate of birth of a person born in this state has not been filed within the time period provided in section 193.085, a certificate of birth may be filed in accordance with regulations of the department and registered subject to such evidentiary requirements as the department shall by regulation prescribe to substantiate the alleged facts of birth. 2. Certificates of birth registered one year or more after the date of birth shall be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the state registrar, marked "Delayed", and shall show on their face the date of the delayed registration. 3. A summary statement of the evidence submitted in support of the delayed registration shall be endorsed on the certificate.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
§ 193.085Birth certificate — contents, filing, locale, duties of certain persons, time allowed, attestation.In force
1. A certificate of birth for each live birth which occurs in this state shall be filed with the local registrar, or as otherwise directed by the state registrar, within five days after such birth and shall be registered if such certificate has been completed and filed pursuant to the provisions of this section. 2. When a birth occurs in an institution or en route to an institution, the person in charge of the institution or such person's designated representative shall obtain the personal data, prepare the certificate, certify that the child was born alive at the place and time and on the date stated either by signature or an electronic process approved by the department, and file the certificate pursuant to this section or as otherwise directed by the state registrar within the required five days. The physician or other person in attendance shall provide the medical information required by the certificate and certify to the facts of birth within five days after the birth. If the physician or other person in attendance does not certify to the facts of birth within the five-day period, the person in charge of the institution shall complete the certificate.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at revisor.mo.gov
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Sources and References
- Missouri DHSS: Order a copy of a vital record(health.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri DHSS: Vital Records frequently asked questions(health.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri DHSS, Consumer Alert: Ordering a Vital Record Online(health.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri DHSS: Vital records fee information(health.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri DHSS: Correct or amend a vital record(health.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 193.255, Copies of records (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri DHSS: Application for birth or death certificate(health.mo.gov).gov
- 22 C.F.R. § 51.42, Persons born in the United States applying for a passport (eCFR)(ecfr.gov).gov
- 19 CSR 10-10, Vital Records rules (Missouri Secretary of State)(sos.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 193.215, Amendment of vital records (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri DHSS: Register a vital record(health.mo.gov).gov
- RSMo 193.105, Delayed certificate of birth (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- USAGov: How to authenticate a U.S. document for use abroad(usa.gov).gov