In This Section . . .

Certified copies of Missouri birth and death certificates can be obtained at the Phelps/Maries County Health Department's main office located in the ground floor of the Phelps County Courthouse. The certificates are computer generated and are available for Missouri births and deaths only.

In order to obtain a copy or copies of a birth or death certificate, you will be required to complete an application and produce a "picture ID" or other acceptable form of identification. Certificates are printed in the office while you wait.  A fee of $15 is charged for each birth certificate printed.  Death certificates are $13 for the first copy, and $10 for each additional copy of the same certificate ordered at the same time.  You may complete the application in our office, one can be mailed to you or you can download and print the form here.  Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Computer generated Missouri birth certificates are available for births from 1920 to present. In the case of newborns, the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City must enter the birth information into their computer system. For this reason, it will be approximately six weeks after a child is born before we can print a birth certificate in our office. Occasionally, certificates cannot be printed due to circumstances such as delayed filing of birth information, too many characters in a name, etc. In these instances, certificates must be requested directly from the Bureau of Vital Records office in Jefferson City. The form necessary to request those certificates is available in our office.

Computer generated Missouri death certificates are available for "natural cause" deaths that occurred from 1980 to present. Certificates for deaths occurring for any reason other than "natural cause" must be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Records office in Jefferson City. The phone number for that office is (573) 751-6381 and the application used to request those certificates is also available at our office.

Our office can provide certified copies of death certificates to funeral directors for the deceased's family when a death occurs in Phelps or Maries County. Funeral directors deliver the original death certificate to our office where it is held for a 24-hour period. During this time, additional certified copies can be obtained; however, after 24 hours the certificate is mailed directly to the Bureau of Vital Records office in Jefferson City where it is retained thereafter. Once filed in Jefferson City, a process that takes approximately two weeks, our office can access and print a computerized copy of the certificate provided it is a "natural cause" death. Applications to request death certificates directly from the Bureau of Vital Records office in Jefferson City are also available at our office.

Who may receive copies of birth certificates?

• Registrant (the person whose certificate is filed)
  
• A member of the registrant's immediate family including in-laws in a direct line of descent up to, but not including cousins. Those relatives include:
  • Wife
    
  • Husband
    
  • Son
    
  • Daughter
    
  • Mother
    
  • Father
    
  • Brother
    
  • Sister
    
  • Grandmother, Grandfather, Grandchildren
    
  • Aunt, Uncle, Niece, Nephew
• A guardian may receive a copy of the birth certificate of a child who is under their care or custody by showing guardianship papers
  
• Foster parents may receive a copy of a birth certificate of a child who is under their care and custody by showing a copy of their custody papers
  
• A stepparent may receive a copy of a birth record by stating that relationship
  
• A physician acting on behalf of the registrant or their family
  
• An authorized agent acting on behalf of the registrant or their family. The authorized agent must produce a signed, notarized statement from the registrant or a member of their family authorizing the release of the record to the applicant.
  
• Others who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when the information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights.
  
• Representative of heir-tracing companies under certain circumstances
  
• News media staff under certain circumstances
  

Who may receive copies of death records?

• All family members
  
• Genealogists representing family members
  
• Professionally recognized genealogists
  
• An attorney acting on behalf of the registrant or their family
  
• A physician acting on behalf of the registrant or their family
  
• An authorized agent acting on behalf of the registrant or their family. The authorized agent must produce a signed, notarized statement from the registrant or a member of their family authorizing the release of a record to the applicant
  
• A funeral director acting as the official representative of a family
  
• Others who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of personal or property rights
  
• Representatives of heir-tracing companies under certain circumstances
  
• News media staff under certain circumstances

Other forms available in our office:
Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity
Affidavits for Correction Of A Birth or Death Record
"Certificate of Live Birth" to be completed for all home births.

If you have questions regarding birth and death records, you may call our office at (573) 458-6023, or 800 301-4942. To contact the Missouri Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records, you can telephone (573) 751-6381; or click here. For out-of-state birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates, you may visit the National Center for Health Statistics site on "Where to Write For Vital Records" by clicking here.

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