Search St. Francois County Birth Records
St. Francois County birth records are available through the St. Francois County Health Center in Park Hills, which holds local records for Missouri births from 1920, or through the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, which holds all state-registered Missouri births from January 1910. Both offices charge $15 per certified copy. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.
St. Francois County Quick Facts
St. Francois County Health Center Birth Records
The St. Francois County Health Center issues certified birth certificates for persons born in Missouri since 1920. For births before 1920, the health center directs applicants to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. You must present a photo ID when you apply. A separate application is required for each individual whose record you are requesting.
| Office | St. Francois County Health Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 1025 W. Main St. Park Hills, MO 63601 |
| Phone | (573) 431-1947 |
| Records | Birth certificates, 1920 to present (short form) |
The fee is $15 per certified copy. Additional copies of the same record, when requested at the same time, cost $11 each. The health center can only issue records for Missouri births. Births in other states must be requested from those states.
Note: The health center also offers Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services, clinical care, and immunizations. Vital records are a separate service within the same department.
St. Francois County Health Center Image
The St. Francois County Health Center birth and death certificate page outlines the requirements for obtaining records and what forms of ID are accepted.
The health center is located in Park Hills and serves all St. Francois County residents for vital records requests.
Missouri Bureau of Vital Records
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds all Missouri birth records from January 1910 forward. This is the right source for records older than 1920, for long-form certificates, or when the county health center cannot locate a specific record. The fee is $15 per copy, with $11 for additional copies ordered at the same time.
| Office | Missouri Bureau of Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 930 Wildwood Drive Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
| Phone | (573) 751-6387 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| Records | Birth certificates, January 1910 to present |
To order by mail, get the application from the DHSS vital records page, include a copy of your ID, and mail a check or money order payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Online orders are accepted through VitalChek.
How to Get a St. Francois County Birth Certificate
There are three ways to get a certified birth certificate tied to St. Francois County. The best option depends on the year of birth and how quickly you need the document.
In person at the Park Hills health center is fastest for records from 1920 forward. Bring your photo ID, fill out the form for each individual record you need, and pay $15. Copies are often issued the same day.
By mail to the state bureau works for births from 1910 onward. Send the completed state application, a copy of your ID, and a check payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Allow several weeks for processing.
Online through VitalChek gives access to state bureau records. You pay by credit card. A service fee applies above the $15 copy fee, and you choose your delivery option.
Note: Only the registrant, parents on the record, legal guardians, adult children or siblings, and their authorized agents may receive certified copies.
Who Can Access St. Francois County Birth Records
Missouri law limits access to certified birth certificates. RSMo 193.245 defines eligible requesters: the person named on the record, parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, adult children or siblings, and attorneys or authorized agents acting for those parties. Government agencies can access records for official purposes.
Older records become more accessible. Once a birth record is 100 years old, it can be obtained through the Missouri State Archives. The Missouri Digital Heritage database has digitized older records you can search online at no cost.
The CDC vital records guide for Missouri provides an overview of which records are available and where to find them based on the year of birth.
Missouri Laws Governing Birth Records
St. Francois County birth records fall under Chapter 193 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. This chapter covers registration, access rights, fees, and corrections for vital records statewide.
The fee structure is in RSMo 193.265. Access rules are in RSMo 193.255. Delayed registration for births not recorded on time is governed by RSMo 193.105. Adult adoptees seeking original birth certificates should check RSMo 193.128.
Cities in St. Francois County
Farmington is the county seat of St. Francois County. Park Hills, where the health center is located, is another major community. Bonne Terre and Desloge are also significant communities within the county. None of these cities reach the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All residents use the county health center or the state bureau for birth certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border St. Francois County. Each maintains birth records through its local public health agency for records from 1920 forward and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records for all records from 1910.