Find Clark County Birth Records

Clark County birth records are maintained locally by the Clark County Health Department in Kahoka for Missouri births from 1920 to the present, and at the state level by the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City for all records from January 1910 forward. Both offices issue certified birth certificates at $15 per copy, with extra copies of the same record costing $11 each when ordered together. Walk-in service at the Kahoka health department requires a valid photo ID. Mail requests need a notarized application form and payment by check or money order.

Clark County Health Department Birth Certificates

The Clark County Health Department in Kahoka is the local office for vital records in Clark County. It holds certified birth certificates for Missouri births from 1920 to the present. You don't need to live in Clark County to request a record here. Any person born in Missouri can apply. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when you visit in person.

The Clark County vital records office in Kahoka provides same-day service for most requests. Staff look up records by name and date of birth and print certified copies at the office. If the record is on file, you walk out with your certificate and a receipt. If you prefer to mail your request, call (660) 727-2357 first to ask about current procedures and wait times. Mail requests need a notarized application and payment by check or money order.

Clark County vital records information explains what the local office holds and how to apply for a birth certificate.

The Clark County Health Department in Kahoka serves as the local access point for Missouri birth records from 1920 to present in this northeastern Missouri county.

Note: Walk-in requests require a photo ID. Mail requests must include a notarized application and a $15 check or money order per certified copy.

How to Request Clark County Birth Records

You have three ways to get a Clark County birth certificate: walk in to the local health department in Kahoka, mail a notarized request, or contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Each option costs $15 for the first certified copy and $11 for each additional copy of the same record in one order.

Walk-in: Go to 517 N. Lincoln Street in Kahoka during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Ask for the vital records request form. Fill it out. Pay $15. Get your certified copy before you leave in most cases. This is the fastest method for Clark County birth records.

Mail: Download the application form from the Missouri DHSS vital records page. Have a notary sign and stamp the form. Include a photocopy of your ID. Make a check or money order for $15 payable to Clark County Health Department. Mail to 517 N. Lincoln Street, Kahoka, MO 63445. Allow additional time for return mail.

State or online: The Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City holds all Missouri birth records from 1910 forward. Call (573) 751-6387 or order through vitalchek.com. VitalChek adds a service fee but allows you to complete the entire order online without printing or mailing anything. Useful for people who live far from Clark County or prefer digital transactions.

Who May Request Clark County Birth Certificates

Missouri limits access to certified birth certificates under RSMo 193.255. Eligible requesters are: the registrant (the person named on the certificate), their parent or legal guardian, their spouse, their child or grandchild, their legal representative, or a government agency with an official need. You must show valid photo ID when making a request. Proof of relationship may also be required if you are not the person named on the record.

Genealogists without a qualifying relationship can look for historical Clark County birth records through the Missouri State Archives or Missouri Digital Heritage. The Clark County Clerk holds some early birth records from the 1883 to 1888 period, predating statewide registration. Contact the County Clerk directly for access to those older records.

Clark County Birth Records Before 1920

The local health department in Kahoka holds records from 1920 forward only. For births between 1910 and 1920, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records is the right source. State registration began in January 1910, so records from that decade exist at the state level. For births before 1910, the Missouri State Archives and the Clark County Clerk are the appropriate contacts.

The Clark County Clerk has early birth and death records from around 1883 to 1888, though coverage from that era is often incomplete. Many rural Missouri counties had uneven registration compliance before the statewide system took hold. The Missouri State Archives has digitized many of these early records and provides a free online search tool. FamilySearch also has free indexes for Missouri vital records and census data. These tools can help you find Clark County births when a formal certificate does not exist.

Note: If a Clark County birth was never registered, you can apply for a delayed birth certificate under RSMo 193.105. Contact the Bureau of Vital Records at (573) 751-6387 for information on what supporting documents are needed.

Missouri Bureau of Vital Records

The Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City holds all Missouri birth records from January 1910 to the present. This includes Clark County. If the local office cannot find a record, or if you need a birth from between 1910 and 1920, the state office is your resource. You can walk in to the Jefferson City location, mail a request, or use VitalChek online. The fee is $15 for the first certified copy and $11 for each additional copy in the same order.

The legal framework for Missouri vital records is set out in Chapter 193 RSMo. Fees are governed by RSMo 193.265. The legal standing of certified copies is established by RSMo 193.245. A certified Clark County birth certificate from either the local health department or the state Bureau has equal legal value and is accepted by courts, agencies, employers, and passport offices.

Adoptee Birth Certificate Access in Clark County

Under RSMo 193.128, adult adoptees born in Missouri can request their original birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Records without a court order. This applies to Clark County births. You must be 18 or older. Submit your request to the state office in Jefferson City. The fee is $15. The original certificate names the birth parents as they appeared at registration. An amended certificate listing adoptive parents is a separate document, also available from the Bureau of Vital Records.

Genealogy and Historical Resources for Clark County

Clark County is in the far northeastern corner of Missouri. Several resources support genealogy research in this county. The Missouri State Archives holds historical vital records and court documents from Clark County and has an online search tool. Missouri Digital Heritage has digitized materials from across the state. FamilySearch has free online indexes covering Missouri counties including Clark. These databases are especially useful for pre-1920 research when official birth certificates are rare or nonexistent. For a national reference on Missouri record coverage, see the CDC vital records guide for Missouri.

Cities in Clark County

Clark County has no cities that meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. Kahoka is the county seat. All residents of Clark County can request birth records from the health department in Kahoka or from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clark County. Each maintains birth records through the local public health agency for 1920 to present and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records for all records from 1910 forward.