Get a certified Missouri Death Certificate

A certified copy of a Missouri death certificate costs $14 for the first copy from the Missouri DHSS. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $11 each. Expedited processing and priority shipping options are available for additional fees.

Yes. Missouri death certificates can be ordered online through the Missouri DHSS Bureau of Vital Records or through authorized third-party services. You will need to provide the decedent’s full legal name, date of death, place of death, and your relationship to the deceased.

Missouri restricts death certificate access to eligible requestors such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, legal representative, or funeral director. If requesting on behalf of an eligible party, you may submit a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your authorization. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as valid proof of legal authority to request the record.

An officially certified death certificate from the Missouri Department of Health and Social Services (MDHSS) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Missouri typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The MDHSS issues these certificates according to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

The process for amending a Missouri death certificate varies based on the type of changes needed. Legally, an original record cannot be altered, so an addendum must be created to document any corrections.

The Department of Health provides a straightforward procedure for correcting or amending death certificates. For additional instructions not included in the application, please contact the Bureau of Vital Records at (573) 751-6387. To correct or amend a death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:

1. A completed, notarized Affidavit for Correction.
2. Supporting documentation: Review the Affidavit for Correction instructions page for acceptable documentation and required information.
3. The appropriate fee(s): There is no fee for the correction affidavit. If you request a copy of the amended death certificate, there is a $14.00 fee per copy. Court orders cost $15.00 to process.

Apostilles may be ordered from the Missouri Secretary of State by mail or with VRO only.

You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

To manually obtain an apostille for a Missouri death certificate, follow these steps:

1. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Obtain the necessary form from the Missouri Secretary of State's office or download it from their official website.
2. Gather Required Documents: Ensure you have the certified copy of the death certificate that needs the apostille, and include any other supporting documentation as required by the Missouri Secretary of State.
3. Include with your documents:
   A letter stating the destination country for your documents
   Your return address
   Your phone number and email address
4. Submit the Request: Mail or deliver your completed form, the death certificate, and any additional documents to the Missouri Secretary of State's office.
5. Payment: Include the appropriate fee ($10.00) for the apostille service with a check or money order made payable to the Missouri Secretary of State.

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