Lewis County Birth Records
Lewis County birth records are maintained by the Lewis County Health Department in Monticello and by the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. The local office can issue certified birth certificates for any Missouri birth from 1920 to the present. For births between 1910 and 1919, the state bureau is the only current source. Both offices charge $15 per certified copy. Residents of Monticello and nearby communities use the local health department as their primary point of contact for birth certificate requests.
Lewis County Quick Facts
Lewis County Health Department Birth Records
The Lewis County Health Department in Monticello is the local office for birth certificate requests. As a registered local registrar for the state of Missouri, it has direct access to the statewide birth records database. Staff can pull and print certified short-form copies of birth certificates for Missouri births from 1920 forward. The county office typically provides faster processing than requesting through the mail, and in-person visits are handled the same day in most cases.
| Office | Lewis County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 67 Monticello, MO 63457 |
| Phone | (573) 767-5315 |
| Records | Birth certificates, 1920 to present (short form) |
The CityDirectory.us Lewis County vital records page provides contact information and an overview of the records available locally.
This reference lists the county office details and confirms the local birth records start date of 1920.
Note: Lewis County issues short-form birth certificates only at the local level. For a long-form certified copy, contact the state bureau in Jefferson City.
How to Request Lewis County Birth Records
In person is the most direct method. Go to the Lewis County Health Department in Monticello, show a valid photo ID, and pay the $15 fee. Staff can print your certificate the same day in most cases. Call (573) 767-5315 to confirm office hours before visiting.
By mail, write a request that includes the full name, date and place of birth, and parents' names. Include a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for $15 payable to the Lewis County Health Department. Do not send cash. Allow one to three weeks for mail processing.
Online orders go through VitalChek, which is Missouri's state-approved online ordering service. VitalChek accepts major debit and credit cards. A convenience fee is added on top of the $15 base cost. Records are delivered by mail.
For births before 1920, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone (573) 751-6387.
Who Can Access Lewis County Birth Records
Missouri restricts certified birth certificate access under RSMo 193.245. The eligible requesters are:
- The person named on the certificate (18 or older)
- A parent listed on the birth record
- A legal guardian with court documentation
- A spouse, child, or sibling of the named person
- An attorney acting for an eligible family member
- A court-authorized representative
Others may get an informational copy. This shows the same birth data but is stamped "not valid for legal purposes." It cannot be used for passport applications, school enrollment, or official government programs.
All requesters must show valid ID. Photo ID is preferred. Two alternate forms of ID with your name are acceptable if you have no photo ID.
Lewis County Birth Certificate Fees
The fee is $15 per certified copy. Additional copies ordered in the same transaction are $11 each. Missouri sets these fees under RSMo 193.265, and they apply at both the county office and the state bureau.
Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods at the Monticello office. Cash and checks are typically accepted at county health departments. VitalChek adds its own service fee for online orders. Fees are not refunded after a search begins, even if no matching record is found.
State and Historical Lewis County Birth Records
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds all registered Missouri births from January 1910 onward. For births in the 1910-1919 range, this is the only modern source. The bureau can issue both short-form and long-form certified copies. Contact them at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102, phone (573) 751-6387. See the DHSS vital records page for full request instructions.
Lewis County's County Clerk held birth and death records from 1883 to 1886. These are historical records, not certified vital documents, and are used for genealogy research only. The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City holds these early records. Some have been digitized and are searchable online at Missouri Digital Heritage at no cost. FamilySearch also indexes older Missouri vital data for free.
The CDC Missouri guide confirms the Bureau of Vital Records as the correct contact for official Missouri birth documents. Delayed birth registration for previously unrecorded births is handled under RSMo 193.105. You must submit supporting documents to the state bureau.
Adoptee Birth Record Access in Lewis County
Missouri adoptees who are 18 or older can request their original birth certificate under RSMo 193.128. Submit the request to the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, not to the Lewis County Health Department. Proof of identity and adoptee status is required. If the birth parent filed a contact preference form, a copy will be included when the record is released.
Cities in Lewis County
Monticello is the county seat of Lewis County. No cities in Lewis County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents in Monticello, Canton, and other communities use the Monticello health department for local birth certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lewis County. Birth records in each are available through the local public health agency (1920-present) and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records (1910-present).