Find St. Louis Birth Records
St. Louis City birth records are handled by the Recorder of Deeds at City Hall, not by a county health department. The City of St. Louis is an independent city, separate from St. Louis County, and maintains its own vital records system. The Recorder of Deeds Vital Records Department can issue certified birth certificates for any Missouri birth, not just those that happened within city limits, making it a convenient option for city residents.
St. Louis Quick Facts
St. Louis Birth Records Office
The St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds handles birth certificates for city residents. This office is at City Hall, Room 126. The Vital Records Department there can issue certified copies for any Missouri birth, not just St. Louis City births. That means if you were born elsewhere in Missouri but live in St. Louis, you can still get your certificate here.
The office accepts Visa, MasterCard, and cash for walk-in requests. No checks are accepted in person. Mail-in customers must pay by check, money order, or cash, and must have their signature notarized.
The Recorder of Deeds birth records page lists the current application requirements and accepted forms of payment.
Walk-in customers must show a driver's license or state ID. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
| Office | St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds - Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room 126 St. Louis, MO 63103 |
| Phone | (314) 613-3016 |
| Records | Birth certificates, 1920 to present (certified); older records available separately |
St. Louis City vs. St. Louis County
This distinction matters when you look for records. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are two completely separate jurisdictions. The city is not part of any county in Missouri.
If you were born in St. Louis City, your records are with the city's Recorder of Deeds or the state. If you were born in a suburb like Clayton, Kirkwood, or Florissant, those events fall under St. Louis County, not the city. St. Louis County has its own vital records office at 6121 N Hanley Rd, Berkeley, MO 63134, phone (314) 615-1720.
It's a common source of confusion. When in doubt, look at the place of birth listed on the document. If it says "St. Louis" without a county designation, it is almost certainly the independent city. Most people born in city hospitals like Barnes-Jewish or Mercy are in city jurisdiction.
Note: Vital records are not available at the St. Louis City Health Department itself. Go to the Recorder of Deeds for in-person requests.
How to Get a St. Louis Birth Certificate
Walk-in requests are the fastest option. Go to City Hall, Room 126, bring your photo ID and $15 per copy. Same-day service is typically available. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $11 each.
For mail requests, download the application from the Missouri DHSS vital records page. Complete it, get your signature notarized, and send with payment to the Recorder of Deeds. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to speed return delivery.
You can also order online through VitalChek. A service fee applies on top of the $15 state fee. VitalChek processes requests for the state Bureau of Vital Records.
The state office at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone (573) 751-6387, can also issue certified copies for any Missouri birth from 1910 forward, including St. Louis City births.
Who Can Request St. Louis Birth Records
Missouri limits access to certified birth certificates under RSMo 193.245. Eligible requesters include:
- The person named on the certificate (age 18 or older)
- A parent listed on the record
- A legal guardian with documentation
- A spouse, adult child, or sibling with proof of relationship
- An attorney acting for an eligible person
- A government agency with a documented need
Walk-in requests require a driver's license or state ID. Mail requests require a notarized signature. If you are picking up a record on someone else's behalf, you need written authorization from that person plus your own ID.
St. Louis Birth Records Fees
Each certified copy costs $15. This fee is nonrefundable under RSMo 193.265. If no record is found, the fee covers the search and is still due.
Additional certified copies of the same record, ordered at the same time, cost $11 each. So if you need three copies total, the cost is $15 plus $11 plus $11, or $37.
For walk-in service at the Recorder of Deeds, accepted payment methods are Visa, MasterCard, and cash. For mail-in, use a check, money order, or cash. No checks are accepted in person, and American Express is not accepted at all.
Historical St. Louis Birth Records
St. Louis has some of the oldest local birth registration records in Missouri. The city started recording births around 1870, which predates the state system by 40 years. These early records are not part of the state's registry and require separate requests.
For births from 1870 to 1909 in St. Louis City, the CDC guidance is to write to the city health department directly. Local registration from that era was inconsistent. It is estimated that only about 60% of births in St. Louis were recorded between 1870 and 1910. Missing records from that period are common.
The FamilySearch wiki for St. Louis City vital records has an index to birth registers from 1910 through 1929 and some earlier material. The FamilySearch Library holds microfilmed registers from St. Louis City Hospital going back to 1846.
The Missouri State Archives and the Missouri Digital Heritage database also have older St. Louis records that may not be available through the city office.
Adoptee Access in St. Louis
Adult adoptees born in St. Louis City can request their original birth certificate under RSMo 193.128. Adoptees who are 18 or older are eligible to receive an uncertified copy of the original record, which shows the birth parents' names before the adoption was finalized.
These requests go to the state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, not to the Recorder of Deeds. Bring or send proof of your identity and your adoptive name. The state processes these the same way as other vital records requests.
Nearby Cities
These cities are among Missouri's largest. Each has its own local resources for birth records, with records maintained by the county health agency or, for the City of St. Louis, the city health department.
St. Louis Independent City Records
The City of St. Louis is not part of any county. Birth records are maintained through the city's Recorder of Deeds, not a county health office. For nearby county residents, St. Louis County has a separate vital records office in Berkeley.