Lafayette County Birth Records
Lafayette County birth records are issued by the Lafayette County Health Department in Lexington and by the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The local office serves as the local registrar for all births and deaths in Lafayette County and can issue certified copies for Missouri births from 1920 to the present. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Note that personal checks are not accepted. Bring cash, debit, credit card, or a money order when visiting in person.
Lafayette County Quick Facts
Lafayette County Health Department Birth Records
The Lafayette County Health Department serves as the local registrar for all births in Lafayette County. This means the office keeps a direct connection to the Missouri statewide birth record system and can issue certified short-form copies for any Missouri birth from 1920 forward. The office is open Monday through Friday only. Personal checks are not accepted, which is different from many other Missouri county offices. Make sure you bring an accepted form of payment before your visit.
| Office | Lafayette County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 547 South Business 13 Highway Lexington, MO 64067 |
| Phone | (660) 259-2700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:45 pm |
| Records | Birth certificates, 1920 to present (short form) |
The Lafayette County Health Department vital records page lists current fees, hours, accepted payment, and the types of certificates available.
The page specifically notes that personal checks are not accepted and that the office issues certified copies for Missouri births in or after 1920.
How to Request Lafayette County Birth Records
In person is the best option for fast service. Go to 547 South Business 13 Highway in Lexington during business hours. Bring valid photo ID, a form of payment that is not a personal check, and $15. The office can print your certificate the same day.
By mail, send a request with the full name, date and place of birth, and parents' names. Include a copy of your photo ID and a money order for $15. Personal checks and cash are not advised for mail. Mail requests to Lafayette County Health Department, 547 S. Business 13, Lexington, MO 64067. Allow one to two weeks for processing.
Online orders go through VitalChek. VitalChek accepts debit and credit cards and delivers records by mail. A convenience fee is added to the $15 base cost.
For births before 1920, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone (573) 751-6387.
Note: The no-personal-checks rule applies at the county office. Plan accordingly if you visit in person.
Who Can Access Lafayette County Birth Records
Certified birth certificate access in Missouri is limited by RSMo 193.245. Eligible requesters include:
- The person named on the certificate (18 or older)
- A parent listed on the birth record
- A legal guardian who can show court papers
- A spouse, child, or sibling of the person named
- An attorney acting on behalf of an eligible family member
- A court-authorized representative
Others can request an informational copy. This shows the same birth data but is marked "not valid for legal purposes." It cannot be used for passport applications or official government programs.
Photo ID is required. If you have no photo ID, two alternate forms of identification with your name are typically accepted.
Lafayette County Birth Certificate Fees
Each certified copy is $15. Death certificates are $14 for the first copy, $11 for each additional copy in the same order. These rates are set by RSMo 193.265 and apply at both the county office and the state bureau.
Accepted payment at Lafayette County Health Department: cash, debit, credit card, and money order. Personal checks are not accepted. VitalChek adds a convenience fee for online orders. All fees are non-refundable once a search begins.
State and Historical Lafayette County Birth Records
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone (573) 751-6387, holds all registered Missouri births from January 1910 forward. For births in the 1910-1919 range, this is the only source. The state office can issue both short-form and long-form certified copies. See the DHSS vital records portal for full details on state-level requests.
Lafayette County's County Clerk held early birth and death records from 1883 to 1893. These are historical records, not certified vital documents. The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City holds these older county clerk records, and some are searchable online through Missouri Digital Heritage at no charge. FamilySearch also indexes some older Missouri vital data at no cost.
The CDC guide for Missouri confirms the Bureau of Vital Records as the correct state contact for official birth documents. Delayed birth registration for previously unrecorded births is handled under RSMo 193.105, which requires submitting supporting evidence to the state bureau.
Adoptee Birth Records in Lafayette County
Missouri adoptees who are 18 or older can request their original birth certificate under RSMo 193.128. Send the request to the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, not to the Lafayette County Health Department. Provide proof of identity and adoptee status. If the birth parent filed a contact preference form, a copy will be included when the record is released.
Cities in Lafayette County
Lexington is the county seat of Lafayette County. No cities in Lafayette County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents use the Lexington health department for all local birth certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lafayette County. Birth records in each are available through the local public health agency (1920-present) and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records (1910-present).