Missouri Vital Records Search

Birth records are not open to the public. Therefore, only certain people can request copies. The list includes:

1. "Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates. Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including cousins. All family members are qualified to receive copies of death certificates.
2. Official representatives shall include an attorney, physician, funeral director, or other authorized agent acting on behalf of the registrant or his/her family. Funeral directors may act as an official representative to obtain copies of death records only.
3. Others may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights. (An example of direct and tangible interest would be if a car title needed to be changed over to a person buying the car and the owner is deceased. The buyer would be qualified to receive a copy of the owner's death certificate.)
4. An attorney.
5. A physician.
6. Genealogists (This refers to a person that is not a professional company but is doing research of their own family history or offers to assist a friend in researching the friend's family history).
7. Professionally recognized genealogists are qualified to receive copies of death certificates. (This refers to a recognized professional company that can be verified if necessary).
8. A guardian may receive a copy of a birth record but must show guardianship papers.
9. Foster parents may receive a copy of a birth record of a child upon furnishing a copy of their custody papers.
10. A stepparent may only receive copies of a legitimate birth record.
11. An alleged father may receive a copy of a birth record if he is shown as the father on that child's birth record. If the alleged father is not shown on that child's birth record, but has legal proof of custody (court papers, guardianship papers, notarized or certified power of attorney document from the mother or her legal representative that states he may receive copies on behalf of the mother), he would be qualified to receive copies of that child's birth record. Family members of an alleged father may not receive copies of a child's birth certificate unless he is shown on that child's birth certificate. In which case, they must be a member of the alleged father's immediate family and must demonstrate a link to the alleged father."

When requesting birth records, you need a signed application along with your ID and the following information:

1. Full name of the person listed on the certificate.
2. Date of birth.
3. Place of birth.
4. Hospital.
5. Gender.
6. Race.
7. Full name of the father.
8. Full name of the mother.

Death records are private, and only the following people may request copies:

1. "Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates. Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including cousins. All family members are qualified to receive copies of death certificates.
2. Official representatives shall include an attorney, physician, funeral director, or other authorized agent acting in behalf of the registrant or his/her family. Funeral directors may act as an official representative to obtain copies of death records only.
3. Others may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights. (An example of direct and tangible interest would be if a car title needed to be changed over to a person buying the car and the owner is deceased. The buyer would be qualified to receive a copy of the owner's death certificate)."

When requesting a copy of someone's death certificate, you need to provide some information such as:

1. Full name on the certificate.
2. Date of birth.
3. Gender.
4. Race.
5. Date of death.
6. Full name of spouse.
7. Father's full name.
8. Mother's full name.

When requesting a copy of someone's marriage certificate, you will need to know:

1. Both parties' full names.
2. The date of the marriage.
3. The county and city where the license was granted.
4. Number of copies.

Marriage records are private, so only the following people can obtain copies:

1. "Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates. Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including cousins. All family members are qualified to receive copies of death certificates.
2. Official representatives shall include an attorney, physician, funeral director, or other authorized agent acting in behalf of the registrant or his/her family. Funeral directors may act as an official representative to obtain copies of death records only.
3. Others may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights. (An example of direct and tangible interest would be if a car title needed to be changed over to a person buying the car and the owner is deceased. The buyer would be qualified to receive a copy of the owner's death certificate)."

When searching for a Missouri Divorce record, you will need the following:

1. Full names of both parties.
2. The date of the divorce decree.
3. The city/county where the divorce was granted.
4. The number of copies.
5. $15 for each copy.