Bureau of Vital Records

The Bureau of Vital Records, within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, provides services including:

• Maintaining a central registry of Missouri births, deaths, and fetal deaths reported from Jan. 1, 1910 to the present ¹
• Preparing new certificates for adoptions and legitimations
• Maintaining a central registry of Missouri marriages and divorces (since July 1, 1948)
• Correcting vital records as authorized by state law
• Issuing certified copies of vital records
• Maintaining the Putative Father Registry

More About Vital Records:

• Our History
• Why We Do What We Do (Coming Soon)

1. While vital record keeping began in 1910, some delayed certificates may be available before 1910. However, there is no guarantee of a record’s existence either before or after 1910. You may also consider visiting the Secretary of State’s Missouri Digital Heritage website.