The City of St. Joseph Health Department Administrative offices are located on the second floor of Patee Market, 904 S. 10th Street. Here, most requests for Missouri birth and death certificates are processed while you wait.
Missouri Adopts New ID Requirements for Obtaining Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records
The state health department has adopted new guidelines for obtaining copies of birth, death, marriage and divorce records to help protect Missourians from identity theft.
Beginning March 1, 2011, identification will be required when requesting vital records from the state health department in Jefferson City, the City of St. Joseph Health Department, and local health departments throughout Missouri.
- Missouri birth and death certificates are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.
- The fee for birth certificates is $15 per certified copy. We can obtain birth certificates from 1920 to the present.
- Death certificates fees are $13 for the first certified copy and $10 for any additional copies issued at that time. We can obtain death certificates from 1980 to the present.
- Identification of the applicant is required – photo ID such as driver’s license, passport, or school, work or military identification.
- Two alternate forms of ID may be accepted if an applicant does not have a photo ID. Alternate documents must include the applicant’s name and the name of the organization the document came from (such as a pay stub or utility bill envelope). - Vital Records Certificates are issued only to the person named on the certificate or that person’s parents (must be named on Certificate), siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, children or legal guardian; in the case of needing a death certificate for the purpose of the transfer or sale of property, be prepared to show just cause. The Local Registrar is responsible for determining requests on a case by case basis.
- Check, cash, money orders, debit and credit cards are accepted. (We accept Visa/MC payments in our office only.)
- Requests submitted via mail must be notarized.
- Birth certificates from other states cannot be processed at Missouri offices and must be ordered through the state in which the birth occurred.
- A Birth or Death Certificate issued by the State of Missouri is a legal document.
Birth Certificate Application Form (PDF format)
Death Certificate Application Form (PDF format)
For Out-of-State birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates, see the National Center for Health Statistics site on “Where to Write For Vital Records.", or you may call our office at (816) 271-4636 to obtain contact information for out-of-state birth and death certificates.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Vital Records Department, located in Jefferson City, Missouri, serves as the state archives for vital records. Any changes or corrections to birth or death records must be processed through this agency.
Please call the following numbers at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Vital Records Department for information relating to amendments:
- For birth records, 573-751-6378
- For death records, 573-751-6385
- For adding a father's name to a birth record, 573-751-6216
- For processing an Adoption or legitimating a birth, 573-522-1715
- For registration of Putative Father Registry, 573-526-1537
Guidelines for Missouri Driving Permits
Obtaining or renewing a Missouri driving permit, license or nondriver’s license requires customers to present personal identification. A certified copy of a birth certificate is one of the acceptable forms of identification required.
- Most local health departments in Missouri are able to provide certified copies of Missouri birth certificates.
- The City of St. Joseph Health Department issues certified copies of birth certificates for births occurring in Missouri from 1920 to the present
- Certificates are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm. The fee for birth certificates is $15 per certified copy. Check, cash, debit/credit cards, and money orders are accepted.
- Requests are processed while you wait, with most certificates being issued at that time.
- The application form is available online, which can be printed and mailed to the health department along with the $15 fee; Birth Certificate Application Form (PDF format)
- Birth certificates from other states cannot be processed at Missouri offices and must be ordered through the state in which the birth occurred.
