How to Find Missouri Birth Records

United States US Vital Records  How to Find United States Births  Missouri  Vital Records  Missouri Births

In 1821, the state of Missouri was created from the Missouri Territory. Statewide registration of births began in 1909.The counties have copies of these records.


 * 1883 - 1893 Missouri law required county clerks to record births. Some Cities also kept records.
 * Missouri was created from Missouri Territory in 1821
 * 1909 - Missouri Statewide birth registration began

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Birth Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1821
 * 1821 thru 1909
 * After 1909 to Present
 * Birth year unknown


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Births before 1821
Missouri did not exist at this time and was known as Missouri Territory. Before 1821, births were recorded by the county. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

Births from 1821 thru 1909

 * Index only. Incomplete.
 * Missouri Birth Records, 1851-1910 Index and images. Incomplete ($)
 * Missouri Still Birth &amp; Miscellaneous Records, 1805-2002. ($)
 * Missouri Digital Heritage Pre-1910 Birth Records Abstracts.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want to order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Missouri Department of Health.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: The Missouri Department of Health office will do a 5 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1909 to Present

 * Index only. Incomplete.
 * Missouri Birth Records, 1851-1910 Index and images. Incomplete ($)
 * Missouri Still Birth &amp; Miscellaneous Records, 1805-2002. ($)
 * Missouri Digital Heritage Pre-1910 Birth Records Abstracts.

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth: The Missouri Department of Health office will do a 5 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born in Missouri the following restrictions may apply. State law restricts who may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. A certified copy may be issued to:


 * The person named on the record
 * The current spouse of the person named on the record
 * The current domestic partner of the person named on the record
 * A parent of the person named on the record
 * A sibling of the person named on the record
 * A child of the person named on the record
 * A grandparent of the person named on the record
 * A person authorized in writing by one of the above. The written authorization must accompany the request and the relationship of the authorizing party to the subject of the record must be clearly explained.
 * A person who can demonstrate that the record is required to protect a personal or property right.
 * If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you cannot receive a certified copy of a birth certificate.

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information. Return to top: Choose another birth year

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