Birth and Death Certificates

Everything you need to know about what services are available to you.

Birth and Death Certificates
Call (573) 636-2181 from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon - Fri)

Birth Certificates
You may obtain a birth certificate for yourself or a  family member if you were born anywhere in the state of Missouri after 1920. The fee is $15.00 each; all forms of payment accepted.

Death Certificates
You may obtain a death certificate if the deceased passed away anywhere in Missouri after 1980. The fee is $13.00 for the first copy, $10.00 for additional copies obtained at that time. All forms of payment accepted.

How to Obtain Certificates
In person - Same day service is available to walk-in customers. Complete an application and pay the required fee by cash, check, or money order. Applicants Must Show Identification When Requesting Certified Copies of a vital record.

Acceptable forms of Identification:

Primary Documents (One document is required)

  • A state issued driver’s license that includes a photograph, date of birth
  • A state issued identification card that includes a photograph, date of birth
  • A current U.S. military identification card that includes a photograph
  • A U.S. passport with current photograph 
  • A current 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 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)

By Mail - Certificates can be obtained through the mail and are normally sent out the same day that applications are received.

Mail-in Requests Must Be Notarized by an Acceptable Notary Public

Please mail your completed application/request form for birth or death certification along with a stamped self-addressed envelope, and a check or money order (payable to Cole County Health Department) to:
Cole County Health Department
Vita1 Records
1616 Industrial Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Click on PDF icon for the request form.

pdf

DISCLAIMER The Cole County Health Department provides the content of this website for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. 
Page Last Updated: June 2011