Obtain Death Records

Information about how to request a copy of death certificates for individuals who died in the City of St. Louis, or who resided within the City of St. Louis at the time of their death.

The following information will help you prepare to apply for a copy of a death certificate in person or by mail:

• Read the information on this page carefully.
• Consider how many copies you will need.
• Gather the information needed for the application. You will need to know:
  • the deceased person’s full name (first, middle, last name),
  • sex;
  • race;
  • place of birth;
  • date of birth;
  • father’s full name (first, middle, last), Mother’s full name (first, middle, maiden name, or name prior to marriage).
• In order to request a copy of a death certificate (certified or uncertified), you must be:
  • A member of the deceased's immediate family, including family members and in-laws with a direct line of descent up to, but not including, cousins.
  • Guardian or official representative of the deceased (I.e.: Attorney, Funeral Director, Doctor).
  • All family members acting as a Genealogist representing a family member, or professionally recognized Genealogist.

Once you have the necessary information, you are ready to submit your application form:

By Mail

• Complete the appropriate request form application form:

  • Mail Application for Certified Death Certificate
• When mailing your request for a Death Certificate, Missouri Department of Health requires notarization of your signature on the Mail-In application. Notary services are often offered by banks and UPS Stores. Call a local store or institution to confirm services and times available.
• Include the completed application form, a legal-size, self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the search fee.
• Mail the completed form to: 

In Person

1. Come to our office, Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30 pm, at City Hall room 127.
2. If requesting the Death Certificate copy in person, have a valid driver’s license, state identification card, or other acceptable government issued photo identification. Your address on photo identification and your address on the application / request form must match.
   
   If you do not have photo identification, a qualified family member with photo identification may apply for the copy.
3. Fill out the forms provided or present the form you downloaded printed and filled out.
4. Provide proof of family relationship to the deceased. 

Online

Use the Begin Online button below to order copies of death records online.

Begin online

Accepted Forms of Payment:

• Credit cards MasterCard and Visa
• Electronic checks
• Cash (in-person transactions only)

• Non-Refundable $14.00 for each 5-year search using Decedent information provided by Applicant (Customer) and, if record is found, one (1) Certified Transcript will be issued.
• Additional Copies are available for $11 each.
• Mail-In Customers Add 50¢ for return mail if you do not provide Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope.
• When a record is found, your payment is used as a Copy Fee and you will be issued one computer generated Certified Copy of the record.
• When a record is not found, your payment is used as a Search Fee.

• A minimum fee of $1.50 is charged for any credit card payment under $52. For amounts over $52, the fee is calculated at 2.95% of the total payment amount.   
• The service fee for electronic checks will be set at $1.50. This includes the ability to process payments via “Forte.”  The Forte electronic check payment system:
  • Validates the saving and checking account number real time.
  • Validates positive funds in the banks account at the time of the payment.
  • The product called ‘ATM Verify’ validates 95% of all US banks.
  • The City of St. Louis will received $.050 per transaction (to be deposited to the city's' designated bank account on a monthly basis.)

• No cash back on any payments (debit card, credit card or check).

Corrections / Changes: 

For information about requesting a correction or change on a Missouri death certificate, contact the Bureau of Vital Records at Death Records at 573-751-6378.