Franklin County Birth Records Search

Franklin County birth records in Missouri are available through the county health department in Union and through the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The local health department holds certified birth certificates for county births from 1920 to the present. The state Bureau holds all Missouri birth records from January 1910 forward. This page covers how to get a certified copy, what it costs, who qualifies, and what to do when older or unregistered births are involved.

Franklin County Health Department Birth Records

The Franklin County Health Department in Union is the local office for birth certificate requests. It holds certified short-form birth certificates for all births registered in Franklin County from 1920 onward. These certified copies carry a raised seal and are valid for legal use in passport applications, school enrollment, Social Security applications, and driver's license renewals. The health department accepts both in-person and mail requests. In-person requests are often completed the same day.

Call the Franklin County Health Department at (636) 583-7300 before visiting to confirm office hours and to make sure the record you need is held locally. Staff can also tell you whether your request needs to go to the state office instead. The health department's mailing address for requests is P.O. Box 636, Union, MO 63084.

The Franklin County Clerk's office handles elections and some county records but does not issue birth certificates. The county clerk is located at 400 E Locust, Room 201, Union, MO 63084.

The county clerk and health department are both located in Union, making it straightforward to take care of multiple county record needs in one trip.

Franklin County Recorder of Deeds

The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds office in Union maintains real property records, marriage licenses, and military discharge records. The Recorder is not the office for birth certificates but is the place to go for marriage licenses, which often require a birth certificate as proof of age. The Recorder's office is located at 400 E. Locust, Room 102, Union, MO 63084. Phone: (636) 583-6367. Documents received after 4:00 PM are processed the next business day.

When applying for a marriage license at the Recorder's office, you will need a certified birth certificate from the county health department or state Bureau of Vital Records as proof of age.

How to Request Franklin County Birth Records

There are three ways to get a certified Franklin County birth certificate. Visit the health department in person in Union, mail a request to the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, or order online through VitalChek. All three methods produce a certified copy with a raised seal that is valid for legal use.

In-person requests at the county health department are fastest. Bring a valid photo ID and $15 in cash or by check. You'll usually walk out with the certificate the same day. For mail requests to the state, use the form available on the Missouri DHSS vital records page. Complete the form, include a photocopy of your ID, and send a check or money order for $15 payable to Missouri State Treasurer. Mail to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Mail requests take two to four weeks to process.

Online orders through VitalChek can be placed at any time with a credit card. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the $15 state fee. The record is mailed after the state processes the request. This option is convenient for people outside the Union area or those who prefer to track their order online.

Note: Search fees are non-refundable. If you are not sure a record exists, call (636) 583-7300 before submitting a paid request.

Who Can Request Franklin County Birth Records

Missouri birth records are restricted under RSMo 193.245. Only people with a direct legal interest can receive a certified copy. These records are not open to the public.

Eligible requestors include:

• The person named on the certificate (age 18 or older)
• A parent listed on the birth record
• A legal guardian with court documentation
• A spouse or adult child of the named person
• An attorney acting for a qualifying party
• A government agency with a lawful purpose

Those who do not qualify for a certified copy can access older historical records through the Missouri State Archives and genealogy resources like FamilySearch. These records are not certified copies but can support genealogical research.

Fees for Franklin County Birth Certificates

The fee is $15 per certified copy. If you order additional copies in the same request, each extra copy costs $11. Fees are set under RSMo 193.265 and apply at both the county and state level. Fees are not waived and are not refunded once a search has been started, even if no record is found.

The county health department takes cash and checks. The state office requires a check or money order payable to Missouri State Treasurer. VitalChek takes credit cards but adds a service fee. If you order through VitalChek, budget for that extra cost.

Missouri Bureau of Vital Records: State-Level Birth Records

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City holds all state birth records from January 1910 to the present. This includes all Franklin County births registered since that date. If you need a record from between 1910 and 1919, the state office is your only option since the county health department holds records only from 1920 onward.

The DHSS vital records division handles mail and online requests. Walk-in service is not available at the state level. Use the Franklin County Health Department in Union for in-person requests.

Historical Franklin County Birth Records

Franklin County is one of Missouri's older counties. Births before 1910 were not part of the state registration system. The County Clerk holds some historical birth and death records from the 1880s and 1890s. These are not certified vital records but may contain useful details for family history or genealogy research.

The Missouri State Archives is the best place to search for pre-state vital records. The Archives holds microfilmed and digitized county records from across Missouri and is free to access online. The Missouri Digital Heritage site also has searchable historical documents from Missouri counties. FamilySearch has indexed a large volume of Missouri records and is another free resource for historical birth research.

For births before county clerk records begin, look to early federal census data, church baptismal records, and family documents. The CDC vital statistics page for Missouri summarizes what records exist at each level and how to access them.

Adoptee Access to Franklin County Birth Records

Missouri adoptees who are 18 or older can request their original birth certificate under RSMo 193.128. The original record, which may show birth parents by name, is available from the Bureau of Vital Records without a court order. The copy is uncertified and cannot be used as legal identification but is valuable for personal and medical history purposes.

To request an original birth certificate as an adoptee, contact the Bureau of Vital Records at (573) 751-6387. You will need your name, date of birth, and a valid photo ID. Birth parents can register with the Missouri Adoption Registry to signal willingness to make contact with adoptees. The state office can provide details on the registry process.

Delayed and Corrected Franklin County Birth Certificates

A delayed birth certificate can be filed for Franklin County births that were never registered under RSMo 193.105. This process goes through the Bureau of Vital Records and requires documentary evidence. Acceptable documents include census records, school records, baptismal records, affidavits, and medical records. The state reviews all evidence and creates a birth record when the documentation is sufficient.

Corrections to existing Franklin County birth certificates are also handled by the Bureau of Vital Records. Name spelling errors, incorrect birth dates, and parental information changes all require supporting documents. Call (573) 751-6387 to get the specific documentation requirements for your type of correction.

Cities in Franklin County

The county seat is Union. Other communities in Franklin County include Washington, Sullivan, Pacific, St. Clair, Bourbon, Cuba, and Gerald. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Birth records for all Franklin County communities are handled through the county health department in Union or the state Bureau of Vital Records.

Nearby Counties

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