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Birth and Death Certificates

You can find the links to Missouri's Birth & Death Certificate forms here. 

Documents Required to Obtain Certified Copies of Vital Records:

Requesting certified copies in person

  • Signed application or request and search fee.

  • One issued identity document that displays a name and photograph OR two alternate forms of identification. At least two alternate forms of identification documents must be used if applicant does not have a picture identification card. See Acceptable Documentation for Identification below.

  • If applicable, tangible interest documents or signed notarized statement authorizing release.

  • If a family member is requesting a record for another family member, additional documentation or information may be required if the applicant’s link to the requested record cannot be established.

Where are these records available?
Local level – Births: 1920-present. Death: 1980-present. (Short form versions)
State level – Births: 1910-present. Death: 1910-present. (Short form and long form versions)

Download and complete the appropriate application form.

-Application for Vital Record: Birth/Death/Fetal/Stillbirth 



-Application for Vital Record: Statement Relating to Marriage/Divorce/Single Status 
 

Requesting certified copies by mail

Note: Usually, the fastest way to obtain a copy of a vital record is to request it locally. If necessary, requests may be mailed to the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. Mail-in requests to Jefferson City can be processed within approximately 8-12 weeks depending on the volume of requests the bureau is experiencing at the time the request was made.

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If Mailing into the State Mail to:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records

930 Wildwood Drive

Jefferson City, MO 65109

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Local Agency:

Ray County Health Department

820 East Lexington Street 

Richmond, MO 64085

Acceptable Documentation for Identification

Primary Documents (One document is required. Documents should be current/valid.)

  • A state issued driver’s license that includes a photograph and date of birth

  • A state issued identification card that includes a photograph and date of birth

  • A U.S. military identification card that includes a photograph

  • A U.S. passport with photograph

  • A school identification card/document showing applicant’s name, photograph, and date of school year

  • Work identification card that includes the applicant’s name, photograph, and company name

Alternate forms of Identification Documents (At least two alternate forms of identification documents must be used if applicant does not have a picture identification card when applying in person) Alternate documents must display name of applicant, may display date of birth, date of issuance (or year), must display institution, company or organization/agency name.

  • Letter from government or social agencies

  • School yearbook

  • A W-2 form issued within last year in addition to a signed Social Security card (social security numbers must match)

  • Social Security card or Social Security numident printout (print out of an applicant’s Social Security account of activities)

  • Court certified adoption papers that includes adopted parent(s) name

  • Official certified deeds or title to property

  • Certificate of vehicle title or registration documents

  • Proof of auto insurance

  • Insurance policy (health, home, life, etc.)

  • Medicaid/Medicare document or identification card

  • A payroll stub that includes a Social Security number of applicant (cannot be handwritten stubs)

  • Military discharge document (DD-214)

  • Cancelled duplicate check (must show name, address, signature, and name of institution)

  • Utility bills which shows name and address of applicant (water, gas, electric, telephone)

  • Shelter name band (including name of shelter)

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