Vital Records
Vital Records: Birth and Death Certificates at LCHD
Vital records are available to the general public in the state of Missouri and copies are provided to specific individuals or entities. A copy of a vital record is only issued to an individual with direct and tangible interest in the record to help prevent fraud and protect identities. A registrant, member of the family, guardian or an official representative are considered to have direct, tangible interest.
The Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) offers printed copies of birth and death certificates onsite. When requesting a vital record, identification with a photo is required, such as a driver’s license, passport or school, work, or military ID. If a photo ID is not available, the individual can also provide two alternate forms of ID with the applicant's name and the name of the organization issuing the document. If you are obtaining a vital record for a minor you will need to provide your ID as the child’s guardian.
Your birth certificate is the most valuable piece of identification and your first official document to be issued after you are born. If you are traveling abroad, registering for school, or obtaining a new driver’s license, social security card, or marriage license you might want to check that your birth certificate is in your safe!
Once a baby is born, paperwork is often provided with the necessary forms to register the birth of your child. Once the birth certificate application is completed at the hospital, it can take up to 30 days for the birth to be in vital records with your local public health department. Birth certificates are available for onsite printing at LCHD for persons born in the state of Missouri from 1920 until the present. There is a $15 charge when requesting a printed birth certificate.
Immediate family members can obtain a birth certificate. This includes family members and in-laws of direct descent up to, but not including cousins.
Authorized agents can produce a signed statement by the registrant or a member of his/her qualified family authorizing the release of the record. For example, a mother may notarize a signed statement authorizing a neighbor to request and receive a record for her child.
A guardian may obtain a birth certificate with papers showing proof of guardianship.
Foster parents can obtain a copy of a birth certificate of a child who is under their care and custody after furnishing a copy of their custody paperwork.
Stepparents may obtain a birth certificate by stating the relationship to the minor.
While this is a tough time for many, we try to make the process of obtaining a death certificate as seamless as possible while you are dealing with the loss of an individual. Death certificates are available for persons who died in the state of Missouri from 1980 until the present. One would need to acquire a death certificate to close out the deceased’s accounts. This is your legal document to inform companies that the individual has died. If possible, it may help to have an idea of how many accounts will need this documentation so you can request the needed copies all at once. There is a $14 charge for the first copy of a death certificate and an $11 charge for each additional certificate requested at the same visit.
All family members, genealogists representing a family member, and professionally recognized genealogists can obtain death certificates.
Official representatives (attorneys, physicians, funeral directors, or authorized agents) can obtain vital records. However, a funeral director may only obtain copies of death records.
Making Changes to a Vital Record
If changes are needed to be made to a vital record or you are having issues with obtaining a vital record you can call The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of VItal Records at (573)751-6387.
If you have any questions regarding obtaining vital records onsite for the state of Missouri please call LCHD at (636)528-6117. No appointment is necessary to obtain your vital records. If you are unable to come in the office, you may also obtain a mail in vital record form from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in which this form will need to be notarized to be obtained. For an out of state record you can visit Vital Chek online.