Birth and Death Certificates/Vital Records

In addition to in-person applications, Vital Records can be obtained by mail or online. Visit our “How to Obtain Records” webpage for more information. For those born in Missouri, Vital Records may also be obtained at any health department in the state. 

For passports, please call 636-949-7412 to schedule an appointment. You may also visit our Passport Program page for an application to download, complete and mail to the U.S. Department of State.

Identification Requirements

The State of Missouri requires Vital Recordsproper identification when requesting vital records from the state and/or local health departments. This guideline covers all requests for obtaining copies of birth and death records and helps protect against identity theft.  

About Vital Records

The Division of Health Services receives the records of births, deaths and fetal deaths occurring in Missouri. Immediate certified photocopies of the original death certificate are available to the funeral homes. The record is checked, logged, and sent to the Missouri Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records. After the State places the record in its system, the local health department can issue copies. Certificates that this department cannot issue must be obtained through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City. Some purposes, such as genealogy or insurance, require a certified copy of the original document, which can only be requested from Jefferson City.

Private Vital Records

Birth and death records are not public records. The application for obtaining a copy of a vital record requires applicants to explain their relationship to the person named on the record. 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. Copies of death certificates may be issued to immediate family members and to persons with a valid interest in the estate. Obtaining a vital record illegally is a class D felony.

Cost of Vital Records

There is a cost to obtain certified copies of vital records from St. Charles County or the State of Missouri:

  • The fee for a birth record is $15 per record.
  • The charge for death records is $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Payment in the form of cash, check, credit card (includes a service fee) or money order will be accepted. Checks or money orders should be made payable to St. Charles County Government. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank, and money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service.

Get in Line with QLess

Avoid crowds and save time with real-time status updates. Visitors seeking services from the Vital Records program can join a virtual queue from their mobile device or computer using the free QLess app, or by checking in at the kiosk in the building lobby at 1650 Boone's Lick Road in St. Charles.

Records Available

The following records are available.

Birth

The department can issue certified computer birth certificates for persons born in Missouri since 1920. Average waiting time for available records is 10 to 20 minutes, sometimes less. This department is not able to print the birth certificate, if there was a delay in filing the original.

Death

The department can issue certified computer death certificates for deaths occurring in Missouri since 1980.

Marriage

This service is for St. Charles County only, please visit the Recorder of Deeds' office or call 636-949-7505.

Divorce

This service is for St. Charles County only, please visit the Circuit Clerk's office or call 636-949-3090.

Research Assistance

If you are doing certain types of research, the following information may be helpful to you:

  • St. Charles County does not keep any original birth records. Electronic versions can be supplied for any birth in the State of Missouri from 1920 to the present and deaths in Missouri from 1980 to the present.
  • The State of Missouri began registering birth and deaths on January 1, 1910.
  • The Recorder of Deeds has marriage records from the early 1800’s to the present. Early records may have separate books for black families. The Recorder of Deeds is located at the following address:
    201 N. Second St.
    St. Charles, MO 63301
  • The St. Charles County Historical Society has some old records including naturalization records. They are located at the following address:
    101 S. Main St.
    St. Charles, MO 63301
  • The City of St. Charles City Clerk has some early birth records for the city only. It is located at the following address:
    200 N. Second St.
    St. Charles, MO 63301
  • Many long-standing churches may have some records relating to births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages.
  • Some older jurisdictions do have original or microfilmed records from the 1800’s, for example, the City of St. Louis.