How to Get a Death Certificate in Missouri

Missouri offers several ways to order a death certificate — through your local public health agency, through the state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, online, or by mail. This guide walks through every option, the actual cost, and how many copies you'll need.

Which Agency Handles Vital Records in Missouri?

Death certificates in Missouri are issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Bureau of Vital Records, located in Jefferson City. Missouri also has a network of 115 local public health agencies statewide that offer walk-in service for death records from 1980 to the present — older records must go through the Jefferson City office. Website: health.mo.gov/vital-records-registries/vital-records.

How to Order a Death Certificate in Missouri

• Local public health agency: Most Missouri families should start here — it's typically the fastest option, and it's a walk-in service at any of the state's 115 local agencies. Use the local agency directory to find yours.
• Online or by phone: Order through VitalChek, the only service the state of Missouri has authorized for online or phone orders — DHSS warns that other sites claiming to process Missouri vital records aren't authorized and may overcharge or mishandle your information. VitalChek adds its own processing fee on top of the state fee.
• By mail: Submit a completed application, any required tangible-interest documentation, a legal-size self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to: Missouri DHSS, Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Allow roughly 4–8 weeks.
• In person — Jefferson City: By appointment only — call 573-751-6387 to schedule. Appointments run 9 a.m.–3 p.m., with the last slot at 2:30 p.m. Same-day turnaround is not guaranteed even for in-person requests.
• Through the funeral home: The funeral home can order certified copies on your behalf in the days after death.

How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Missouri?

The fee is $14 for the first certified copy and $11 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. DHSS charges no extra administrative fee; VitalChek adds its own processing fee for online or phone orders. Local public health agencies charge the same state-set fee for birth and death records.

How Many Copies Should You Order?

Most Missouri families need 8–12 certified copies: each bank, life insurance policy, the probate court, Social Security, real estate transfers, vehicle titles, and retirement accounts.

Who Is Eligible to Request a Death Certificate in Missouri?

Missouri vital records are not open to the general public — state law limits certified copies to people with a "direct and tangible interest" in the record. Eligible requestors include the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild of the deceased; the executor or personal representative; attorneys representing the estate; legal guardians; and authorized government officials. You must provide government-issued photo ID and, in some cases, documentation establishing your relationship to the deceased.

Processing Timeline

What to Do After You Receive Your Death Certificates

Once you have your certified copies in hand, these are the immediate next steps:

1. Notify financial institutions — bring a certified copy to each bank, brokerage, and credit union where the deceased held accounts.
2. File life insurance claims — each insurer needs an original certified copy.
3. Contact Social Security — report the death at (800) 772-1213 or visit your local SSA office.
4. Begin probate if the estate requires it — not every estate does.
5. Update property titles — real estate, vehicles, and other titled assets each need a certified copy.
6. Send notifications — Omuna's free notification templates help you draft letters to banks, insurers, and government agencies.
7. Create a memorial page — Omuna's memorial editor lets you build a lasting tribute your family can share.