Who may request and receive copies of vital records?

• The primary person named on the vital records.
• A member of the immediate family, including includes wife, husband, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and in-law. This does not include cousins.
• Others: guardian who shows guardian paperwork, foster parent who furnish custody papers, step-parent and attorney acting on behalf of the registrant or family.

Requests by mail
Please include the following information when submitting a mailed request:

• For a Missouri certified birth certificate, your request must include the birth name, birth date, mother's maiden name, father's name, your relationship to the person named on the certificate and the reason you need the record. Certified birth certificates starting from 1920 are $15 each.
• For a Missouri certified death certificate, you need the deceased's name, date of death, place of death and your relationship to the person named on the certificate. Certificates for deaths within the City of Kansas City, Mo., starting in 1910 are $13 for the first copy and $10 for each additional. All death records outside the city limits, but in the state of Missouri starting in 1980, are $13 for the first copy and $10 for each additional.
• Please also enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelop, a copy of your driver's license or other ID and a check or money order payable to Vital Records. All requests are sent out in about two days unless a problem occurs.

Requests online
You can submit a request for a Missouri certified birth or death certificate online at http://www.vitalchek.com/provider_overview.asp?provider_id=6913. Payment must be by Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover. The birth certificate cost is $20.50 when sent by regular U.S. mail or $38 by Federal Express. Death certificate cost is $18.50 when sent by regular U.S. mail or $36 by Federal Express.