Search Andrew County Birth Records

Andrew County birth records are available through the Andrew County Health Department in Savannah, Missouri, and through the state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The county office holds certificates for Missouri births from 1920 through today. If you need a record from 1910 to 1919, or you want both short-form and long-form options, the state Bureau is the right contact. This page covers how to request a birth certificate, what it costs, who can get one, and where to find older historical records.

Andrew County Health Department - Vital Records

The Andrew County Health Department in Savannah is the local office for birth certificate requests. It keeps certified copies of Missouri birth records for events that took place from 1920 to the present. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours, and staff can print your certificate on the same day in most cases.

All walk-in visitors must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff will ask for the name on the certificate, the date of birth, and the location of the birth. The $15 fee is collected at the counter. Mail requests require a notarized application in addition to a copy of your ID.

Andrew County is a smaller county, and the health department staff handle vital records alongside other public health services. It is worth calling ahead to confirm hours before you make the trip, especially around holidays. The phone number is (816) 324-2111.

How to Get Andrew County Birth Certificates

Walk-in is the fastest method. Bring your ID, know the registrant's full name and birth date, and pay $15 at the counter. You leave with a certified copy the same day.

Mail requests take longer, usually one to two weeks. Download the Missouri birth certificate request form from the DHSS vital records page, complete it, and have a notary sign it. Send the notarized form, a photocopy of your ID, and a $15 check or money order payable to the Andrew County Health Department. Mail everything to 106 N. 5th Street, Savannah, MO 64485.

Online orders are handled through VitalChek. VitalChek connects to the state Bureau of Vital Records, not the county. The state fee is $15, but VitalChek adds a service charge. This is the most convenient option if you cannot visit in person or prefer not to deal with notarization. Processing time is similar to a mail order.

Note: All three methods require you to be an eligible requestor under Missouri law. If you are not sure whether you qualify, read the access rules section below or call the health department before you send a request.

Who Can Access Andrew County Birth Records

Missouri restricts access to certified birth certificates under RSMo 193.245. The following people can request a certified copy:

• The person named on the record (if 18 or older)
• A parent or legal guardian listed on the certificate
• A spouse, adult child, or sibling of the registrant
• An attorney or legal representative with documented authority
• A government agency with a lawful purpose

People who do not meet these criteria cannot get a certified copy for recent records. However, Missouri birth records more than 100 years old are generally accessible to the public. Genealogists researching older Andrew County births can request access without showing a family connection.

For records from 1883 to 1893, the Andrew County Clerk holds some early registration entries. These are not modern birth certificates but may contain useful family information. The County Clerk's office in Savannah can tell you what years are available and how to access them.

Andrew County Birth Record Fees

A certified birth certificate costs $15 per copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $11 each. The fee is set by state law under RSMo 193.265 and applies at both county and state offices.

Cash, check, and money order are accepted at the county office. In-person visits may also allow credit or debit card payments, but call ahead to confirm. Mail orders require a check or money order only. Online orders through VitalChek require a credit card, and the service fee is separate from the state's $15 charge.

Fees are non-refundable. If the record is not found, you do not get a refund. Double-check the spelling of the name and confirm the correct date of birth before submitting your request to avoid a failed search.

State Bureau of Vital Records - Andrew County Residents

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City holds all birth records filed in the state since January 1910. This includes Andrew County births. The state office is the only place to get records from 1910 to 1919. It also issues both short-form and long-form certified copies, while the county only issues short-form.

The DHSS vital records page has downloadable request forms and full instructions. Mail requests to the state must include a notarized application, a copy of your photo ID, and the $15 fee. Processing at the state office may take several weeks during busy periods. Using VitalChek online can sometimes speed up the order, though the added service fee applies.

Historical Birth Records in Andrew County

Consistent statewide birth registration in Missouri began in January 1910. Before that date, records vary widely by county and time period. Andrew County has a few sources for pre-1910 births.

The Andrew County Clerk held local birth and death registration records from roughly 1883 to 1893. These entries predate the modern vital records system. They may list the child's name, parents, and birth date, but the level of detail varies by year and who recorded the event. Contact the Andrew County Clerk in Savannah to find out what is available for a specific year.

The Missouri State Archives is another key source. They hold microfilmed county records, early Missouri census data, and other historical documents that can help trace births before formal registration began. Their staff can help you identify what records exist for a given county and time period.

Online genealogy databases through Missouri Digital Heritage also have some digitized early records. These are searchable without a visit to Jefferson City and can be a good starting point before you request physical records. The CDC's Where to Write for Vital Records page for Missouri explains the general structure of state vital records and what time periods are covered.

Adoptee Birth Certificate Rights in Andrew County

Missouri law gives adult adoptees direct access to their original birth certificates. Under RSMo 193.128, anyone 18 or older who was adopted in Missouri can request their original birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Records. No court order is needed. The birth parents' consent is not required.

The original certificate shows the name given at birth and the names of biological parents as they appear in the original filing. This is separate from the amended birth certificate issued after an adoption is finalized. To request the original, write to the Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Include your full legal name now, your date of birth, and proof of identity. The $15 fee applies.

Adoptees born in Andrew County before state registration began in 1910 may find their original filing at the County Clerk's office rather than with the state. The Bureau of Vital Records staff can advise on where to look based on the birth year.

Cities in Andrew County

Savannah is the county seat of Andrew County. Other communities in the county include Amazonia, Fillmore, Helena, and Rea. None of these cities meet Missouri's major population threshold for a dedicated city page. All Andrew County residents obtain birth certificates through the county health department in Savannah or the state Bureau of Vital Records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Andrew County. Birth records in each are maintained by the local public health agency for 1920-present records and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records for all records from 1910 forward.