FAQs • Springfield, MO • CivicEngage

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Birth & Death Certificates

1. How can I get a birth certificate?: If you were born in Missouri and you are in the area, you can come into this office and get one. You can also mail us a check for $15 for each certificate you want made out to "City of Springfield". Our address is 227 East Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802. If you mail the form in, it must be notarized before you mail it in. If you reside in another state, you may order one by computer through VitalChek and charge the fee to a major credit card.

2. How can I get a death certificate?: If the death was in Missouri and you are in the area, you can come into this office and get one. You can also mail us a check for $13 for the first and $10 for each additional certificate for the same person ordered at the same time. Our address is 227 East Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802.
If you mail in the form, it must be notarized. If you reside in another state, you may order one through VitalChek and charge the fee to a major credit card. VitalChek

3. How long does it take to receive a birth or death certificate?: Once the form is received and paid for, it is printed while you wait. The time is approximately 2 to 5 minutes. For birth certificates, allow 2-3 weeks from the date of birth for processing.

5. What payment methods are accepted?: You may pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover).

6. Where do I go to get my birth certificate interpreted from Spanish to English for a driver's license?: You take the original certificate in Spanish to the License Bureau. They will send it off to Jefferson City and it will be interpreted there and then returned to you along with your driver's license.

7. How can I get my child's last name changed? I am married to the father now and want to put his name on it and have the child's last name changed to his.: You must call Jefferson City Legal Department at (573) 751-6378 and ask them to send you papers to legitimize the birth and add father's name to the certificate.

8. How do I add the father's name to my child's birth certificate? We are not married but we want to add his name.: You can do this by calling Jefferson city (573) 751-6378 for a Parental Affidavit or by getting one from your local Health Department Vital Records Office. This must be signed by both, mother and father, in front of a Notary or witnesses and sent to Jefferson City Legal Department. The address is:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102

9. There is a misspelling on my child's certificate, what do I do?: Local health department offices only have printing capabilities; all editing must be done through the main vital records office in Jefferson City (573-751-6387).

10. How can I get the father's name off of my child's birth certificate?: This can only be done with a court order signed by a judge. Call Jefferson City Office for further directions (573) 751-6378.

11. I have a copy of my birth certificate but it does not have a raised seal on it. Can you just stamp the seal on it for me?: No, but if you were born in Missouri, we can issue you a new certified copy with the state seal on it for $15.00.

12. I am doing a genealogy study, do you have records in your office I can come in and look at?: No, our office only has access to computerized birth certificates back to 1921 and death certificates back to 1980. We can issue only a computer copy with a state seal. For a more complete copy for genealogy, write to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Their records have more information for genealogy and they will do a five year search and send you the certificate for $15.00. Be sure to ask for a photostat copy.

13. I need a long form birth certificate that shows I have American Indian heritage. Where can I get one?: Photostat copies of Missouri Birth Certificates can be ordered from Missouri Department of Health for $15.00. The address is P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

14. I have had a baby at home. How do I get a birth certificate made?: If the birth took place in Missouri, you will need to contact the state office in Jefferson City, Missouri for the paperwork to create a birth certificate. The phone number is (573) 751-6378. When it is put into the computer, you can obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate from our office for $15.00.
If the birth took place in another state, you must obtain your form and file the birth certificate through that state.

15. Do I need my birth certificate to get a social security card?: Only if you are getting your social security card for the first time. For more information, call the Social Security Office for further instructions at (877) 850-7824.

16. Why do I need to purchase a birth certificate?: Certified copies of certificates are needed for many reasons including insurance, school enrollment, driving permits and renewal of licenses and passports.

17. Can I use VitalChek to order a certified photostat copy of a birth or death certificate?: Yes. You must use only the Jefferson City site in VitalChek. When entering the birth or death information into the VitalChek order form, make sure to type "Long Form" into the "Reason" section. This will let them know that you want a certified photostat copy of the original birth or death certificate.

18. Where do I get an "APOSTILE"?: At the Secretary of States Office. The address is 149 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO 65806 and the phone number is (417) 895-6330. The fee is $15.00.

19. What do I need to get my birth certificate?: You will need a photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you will need two forms of ID. Some examples are social security card, a piece of mail with your name and address, a paystub, car registration, voter registration, insurance card, credit card with your picture and name, yearbook with your name and picture or a speeding ticket.

20. Who can get a death certificate?: A close relative can obtain a certificate. If you are not related, you have to have a legal reason to get a copy.

21. Who can get a birth certificate?: A first degree relative of the person up to but not including cousins. If you are the father and your name is not on the birth certificate, you have to have court papers showing you have custody of the child. If you are not a relative, you have to have court paperwork showing you have custody of the child.

22. I filled out the form at the hospital. Why haven't I received a birth certificate?: The paperwork filled out at the hospital provides the information for the hospital to submit to Jefferson City to create a certificate. Purchasing a certificate is a separate process through the health department.