Birth and Death Certificates (Vital Records)

Effective March 1, 2011, the State of Missouri now requires proper identification when requesting vital records from the state and/or local health departments. This guideline covers all requests for obtaining copies of birth and death records and helps protect against identity theft.

The St. Charles County Division of Public Health receives the records of birth, deaths and fetal deaths occurring in the County. Immediate certified photocopies of the original death certificate are available to the funeral homes. The record is checked, logged, and sent to the Missouri Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records. After the State places the record on the computer, the local health department can issue copies. Certificates that cannot be issued by this department must be obtained though the Missouri Department of Health in Jefferson City. For some purposes, such as genealogy or insurance, a certified copy of the original document is needed and can be requested from Jefferson City.

Birth and death records are not public records. The application for obtaining a copy of a vital record requires applicants to explain their relationship to the person named on the record. Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates. Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including cousins. Copies of death certificates may be issued to immediate family members and to persons with a valid interest in the estate. Obtaining a vital record illegally is a class D felony.

The fees for vital records will remain the same. The fee for a birth record is $15 per record. A death record is $13 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment in the form of cash, check and money order will be accepted. Checks or money orders should be made payable to St. Charles County Government. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank, and money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Credit card payments ARE NOT accepted by the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment.

RECORDS AVAILABLE

BIRTH

Certified computer birth certificates can be issued for persons born in Missouri since 1920. Average waiting time for available records is 10 to 20 minutes, sometimes less. This department is not able to print the birth certificate if there was a delay in filing the original.

DEATH

Certified computer death certificates can be issued for deaths occurring in Missouri since 1980.

MARRIAGE

For St. Charles County only, Recorder of Deed's office, 636-949-7505.

DIVORCE

For St. Charles County only, Circuit Clerk's office, 636-949-3090.

If you are doing some research, the following information may be helpful to you:

St. Charles County does not keep any original birth records. Electronic versions can be supplied for any birth in the State of Missouri from 1920 to the present and deaths in Missouri from 1980 to the present.
The State of Missouri began registering birth and deaths on January 1, 1910.
The Recorder of deeds, 201 N. Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, has marriage records from the early 1800’s to the present. Early records have separate books for black families.
The St. Charles County Historical Society, 101 S. Main Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, has some old records including naturalization records.
The City of St. Charles City Clerk, 200 N. Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, has some early birth records for the City only.
Old churches may have some records relating to births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages.
Some older jurisdictions do have original or microfilmed records from the 1800’s, for example, the City of St. Louis.


VITAL RECORDS General Information Application Process FAQ's		Birth and Death Certificates (Vital Records) Effective March 1, 2011, the State of Missouri now requires proper identification when requesting vital records from the state and/or local health departments. This guideline covers all requests for obtaining copies of birth and death records and helps protect against identity theft. The St. Charles County Division of Public Health receives the records of birth, deaths and fetal deaths occurring in the County. Immediate certified photocopies of the original death certificate are available to the funeral homes. The record is checked, logged, and sent to the Missouri Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records. After the State places the record on the computer, the local health department can issue copies. Certificates that cannot be issued by this department must be obtained though the Missouri Department of Health in Jefferson City. For some purposes, such as genealogy or insurance, a certified copy of the original document is needed and can be requested from Jefferson City. Birth and death records are not public records. The application for obtaining a copy of a vital record requires applicants to explain their relationship to the person named on the record. Immediate family members are qualified to receive copies of birth certificates. Immediate family members shall include those family members and in-laws in the direct line of descent up to, but not including cousins. Copies of death certificates may be issued to immediate family members and to persons with a valid interest in the estate. Obtaining a vital record illegally is a class D felony. The fees for vital records will remain the same. The fee for a birth record is $15 per record. A death record is $13 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment in the form of cash, check and money order will be accepted. Checks or money orders should be made payable to St. Charles County Government. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank, and money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Credit card payments ARE NOT accepted by the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment. RECORDS AVAILABLE BIRTH Certified computer birth certificates can be issued for persons born in Missouri since 1920. Average waiting time for available records is 10 to 20 minutes, sometimes less. This department is not able to print the birth certificate if there was a delay in filing the original. DEATH Certified computer death certificates can be issued for deaths occurring in Missouri since 1980. MARRIAGE For St. Charles County only, Recorder of Deed's office, 636-949-7505. DIVORCE For St. Charles County only, Circuit Clerk's office, 636-949-3090. If you are doing some research, the following information may be helpful to you: St. Charles County does not keep any original birth records. Electronic versions can be supplied for any birth in the State of Missouri from 1920 to the present and deaths in Missouri from 1980 to the present. The State of Missouri began registering birth and deaths on January 1, 1910. The Recorder of deeds, 201 N. Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, has marriage records from the early 1800’s to the present. Early records have separate books for black families. The St. Charles County Historical Society, 101 S. Main Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, has some old records including naturalization records. The City of St. Charles City Clerk, 200 N. Second Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, has some early birth records for the City only. Old churches may have some records relating to births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages. Some older jurisdictions do have original or microfilmed records from the 1800’s, for example, the City of St. Louis. [TOP OF PAGE]