Missouri Birth Certificates
Your birth certificate is the most important document you’ll need to prove your legal identity and age. You’ll need it to apply for a passport or government benefits, enroll in school, join the military, or claim pension or insurance benefits.
General Information
Individuals may apply for a birth certificate at Jackson County Public Health. We offer same-day printing of certified copies of birth certificates for individuals born in Missouri, as well as notary services for birth affidavits.
For birth certificates prior to 1920, you must contact the Bureau of Vital Records at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Express pickup hours: Monday — Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*Walk-in hours: Monday — Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
General Guidelines:
- Must be born in the State of Missouri
- Certificates date back to 1920
- For newborns, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing before applying
- Birth certificates cost $15.00 per certified copy
Payment and Identification Information:
- We accept debit, credit, or cash.
Note: We cannot accept American Express. - Physical (printed) documents are required for identification. Please bring at least one of the following:
- Photo ID
Ex: driver’s license; school, work, or military identification - Passport
- Social security card (with a piece of mail)
- If you do not have an ID/passport, you can bring two pieces of mail from two different sources (such as both an electric bill and a water bill). Mail must include your first name, last name, and current address.
- Photo ID
- Missouri law only allows a certified copy of a vital record to be issued to a person with a direct and tangible interest in the record. The application for obtaining a copy of a vital record requires applicants to explain their relationship to the person named on the record.
- For express pick-up service, payment must be made at the time of application.
- Birth certificates may be obtained at Jackson County Public Health in person or by mail.
How to Apply for Express Pickup Service
1
Complete Application Form
Complete and sign the online application. Fee must accompany application for express pickup service.
1
Complete Application Form
Complete and sign the online application. Fee must accompany application for express pickup service.
2
Allow Time for Processing
After submitting your application, allow one to two hours for processing, then pick up any time from 9 a.m. — 4 p.m.
2
Allow Time for Processing
After submitting your application, allow one to two hours for processing, then pick up any time from 9 a.m. — 4 p.m.
3
Provide Form of ID
At the time you pick up your certificate, provide one identity document that displays a name and photograph, such as a driver’s license, passport, or school, work, or military identification is required. This type of identification is preferred and must include the applicant’s name and the name of the company or organization issuing the document.
If you do not have a photo ID, at least two alternative forms of identification must be presented as follows:
- Two pieces of mail with your name and current address from two different sources (such as both an electric bill and a water bill)
OR - One piece of mail with your name and current address + your social security card
Physical (printed) documents are required for identification. We cannot accept digital documents or photos displayed on your phone. Mail must include your first name, last name, and current address. Information must be consistent between pieces of mail (if applicable).
3
Provide Form of ID
At the time you pick up your certificate, provide one identity document that displays a name and photograph, such as a driver’s license, passport, or school, work, or military identification is required. This type of identification is preferred and must include the applicant’s name and the name of the company or organization issuing the document.
If you do not have a photo ID, at least two alternative forms of identification must be presented as follows:
1.
Two pieces of mail with your name and current address from two different sources (such as both an electric bill and a water bill)
OR
2.
One piece of mail with your name and current address + your social security card
Physical (printed) documents are required for identification. We cannot accept digital documents or photos displayed on your phone. Mail must include your first name, last name, and current address. Information must be consistent between pieces of mail (if applicable).
4
Review Certificate
Review the certificate for accuracy.
4
Review Certificate
Review the certificate for accuracy.
How to Apply by Mail
1
Complete Application Form
Complete and sign the birth certificate and death certificate application form.
1
Complete Application Form
Complete and sign the birth certificate and death certificate application form.
2
Notarize Form
You must have your Birth Certificate or Death Certificate Application notarized before sending.
2
Notarize Form
You must have your Birth Certificate or Death Certificate Application notarized before sending.
3
Prepare Mail
Prepare the following items to mail:
- Your payment by money order (payable to Jackson County Public Health).
- We cannot accept personal checks. We can only accept money orders.
- Notarized completed birth certificate application.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This will be used to send your birth certificate to you.
3
Prepare Mail
Prepare the following items to mail:
1.
Your payment by money order (payable to Jackson County Public Health).
We cannot accept personal checks. We can only accept money orders.
2.
Notarized completed birth certificate application.
3.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This will be used to send your birth certificate to you.
4
Mail Items
Mail all of the above to:
Jackson County Public Health
Vital Records
3651 NE Ralph Powell Rd
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
4
Mail Items
Mail all of the above to:
Jackson County Public Health
Vital Records
3651 NE Ralph Powell Rd
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
5
Receive Certificate Back
You will receive the certificate back in the envelope that was provided to us. We process applications and mail them to you within 48 hours (excluding weekends) of receiving them.
5
Receive Certificate Back
You will receive the certificate back in the envelope that was provided to us. We process applications and mail them to you within 48 hours (excluding weekends) of receiving them.
Out of State Certificates
Born in a U.S. State
For a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state you were born for instructions on how to request a copy and information on any fees.
If you need to get a coy of your birth certificate quickly, ask the vital records office at the time you place your order about getting expedited service or shipping.
Born in a U.S. State
For a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state you were born for instructions on how to request a copy and information on any fees.
If you need to get a coy of your birth certificate quickly, ask the vital records office at the time you place your order about getting expedited service or shipping.
Born Abroad
If you were born to American parents abroad, they should have registered your birth with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country, and received a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. You can get a copy of this report from the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Depending on the country, a vital records office in the nation may also list the birth.
If you were born on a military base abroad, and your parents did not register your birth with the U.S. Embassy, you may have to contact the hospital where the birth took place. You may also try contacting the base operator or public affairs office for the appropriate military branch.
Born Abroad
If you were born to American parents abroad, they should have registered your birth with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country, and received a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. You can get a copy of this report from the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Depending on the country, a vital records office in the nation may also list the birth.
If you were born on a military base abroad, and your parents did not register your birth with the U.S. Embassy, you may have to contact the hospital where the birth took place. You may also try contacting the base operator or public affairs office for the appropriate military branch.
Adopted by U.S. Citizen
The country in which you were born issued your birth certificate. If you need a replacement, you must contact the nearest foreign embassy or consulate from that country. A child born in a foreign country and adopted by a U.S. citizen will not receive a U.S. birth certificate. If the document is in a language other than English, you should also seek the embassy’s help in getting the document translated if you require authenticated documents.
Adopted by U.S. Citizen
The country in which you were born issued your birth certificate. If you need a replacement, you must contact the nearest foreign embassy or consulate from that country. A child born in a foreign country and adopted by a U.S. citizen will not receive a U.S. birth certificate. If the document is in a language other than English, you should also seek the embassy’s help in getting the document translated if you require authenticated documents.
