Access Laclede County Birth Records
Laclede County birth records are available through the Laclede County Health Department in Lebanon and through the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The county office issues certified birth certificates for any Missouri birth from 1920 forward. You can request by visiting in person, mailing a notarized application, or contacting the state office directly. Mail-in requests to the county require a notarized form, which is worth noting if you plan to request remotely. The county is also reachable by toll-free phone at 1-888-806-6805.
Laclede County Quick Facts
Laclede County Health Department Birth Records
The Laclede County Health Department at 405 Harwood Ave. in Lebanon is the local vital records office. As a registered Missouri local registrar, it has direct access to the statewide birth certificate system and can issue certified short-form copies for Missouri births from 1920 to the present. The office accepts in-person delivery requests and mail-in requests. Mail-in requests must use a notarized application form. Two separate forms are available: one for in-person pickup and one for mail delivery. The county can also accept applications mailed directly to the Jefferson City state office.
| Office | Laclede County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 405 Harwood Ave. Lebanon, MO 65536 |
| Phone | (417) 532-2134 |
| Toll-Free | 1-888-806-6805 |
| Fax | (417) 532-6095 |
| Records | Birth certificates, 1920 to present (short form) |
The Laclede County Health Department birth and death certificates page lists both application forms and explains the mail-in notarization requirement.
The page also shows the toll-free number and fax options for reaching the office remotely.
The Laclede County MOGenWeb vital records page provides an additional reference for researchers, including details on the two-tier record system and current fees.
This reference page outlines the 1920 local start date and the $15 per copy fee for birth certificates in Laclede County.
How to Get a Laclede County Birth Certificate
In person is the most direct option. Go to 405 Harwood Ave. in Lebanon with valid photo ID and $15. The staff can print your certificate the same day.
By mail requires a notarized application. The county provides a specific mail-in form for this purpose. Fill it out, have it notarized, and mail it with a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for $15 payable to the Laclede County Health Department. You can also mail a notarized request directly to the state bureau in Jefferson City if you prefer. Do not mail cash.
Online orders go through VitalChek, which is Missouri's state-approved online service. VitalChek accepts debit and credit cards. A convenience fee applies on top of the $15 base cost.
For pre-1920 births, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone (573) 751-6387.
Note: The mail-in notarization requirement is specific to Laclede County. In-person requesters do not need a notarized form.
Who Can Get Laclede County Birth Records
Missouri law limits certified birth certificate access under RSMo 193.245. These people qualify:
- 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, child, or sibling of the person named
- An attorney acting for an eligible family member
- A court-authorized representative
Others can get an informational copy. It shows the same data but is stamped "not valid for legal purposes." You cannot use it for passports or official government needs.
Photo ID is required. Two alternate forms of identification with your name are acceptable if you lack photo ID.
Laclede County Birth Certificate Fees
Birth certificates cost $15 per certified copy. Additional copies requested in the same transaction are $15 each (confirmed by the county health department page). Death certificates are $14 for the first copy, $11 for each extra. Missouri's fee authority comes from RSMo 193.265.
Payment accepted at the county office includes cash and check. VitalChek adds a service fee for online orders. Fees are not refunded after a search is started. For questions about payment, call the toll-free number at 1-888-806-6805.
State and Historical Laclede County Birth Records
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds all registered Missouri births from January 1910 onward. For the 1910-1919 range, the state is the only source. Contact the bureau at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or call (573) 751-6387. The DHSS vital records page explains state-level request options.
For older records, the Missouri State Archives holds early county clerk vital records from the 1880s onward. Some records are available through Missouri Digital Heritage at no charge. FamilySearch also indexes older Missouri birth data. The CDC Missouri guide confirms the Bureau of Vital Records as the correct state contact.
Delayed birth registration is handled by the state under RSMo 193.105. You must file with the bureau and provide supporting evidence.
Adoptee Birth Records in Laclede County
Adult adoptees in Missouri can request their original birth certificate under RSMo 193.128. You must be 18 or older. Requests go to the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records, not the Laclede County Health Department. Provide proof of identity and adoptee status. Any contact preference form filed by the birth parent will be included with the released record.
Cities in Laclede County
Lebanon is the county seat of Laclede County. No cities in Laclede County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents throughout the county use the Lebanon health department for local birth certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Laclede County. Birth records in each are available through the local public health agency (1920-present) and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records (1910-present).