How to Find Missouri Birth Records

In 1821, the state of Missouri was created from the Missouri Territory. Statewide registration of births began in 1910.


 * Missouri was created from Missouri Territory in 1821
 * Between 1883 and 1893 Missouri law recommended county clerks record births.  This also included the independent City of St. Louis.
 * 1910 - 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
 * 1910-present
 * Birth year unknown


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Births before 1821
There was no requirement or mechanisim for recording births during the Missouri Territory period prior to statehood in 1821. 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.

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 State Archives. The Missouri State Archives has also created a list by county of all the records known to exist, available here.

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 1910 to Present
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.

The Missouri, Birth Index, 1920-2015 has an index that can be searched by name.

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 1910 to the present: 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

Related Wiki Articles

 * Missouri
 * Missouri Online Genealogy Records
 * Missouri Vital Records
 * Learn more about U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records


 * 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.