Vital Records provides a certified statement of marriage or divorce that occurred
from July 1948 to present. For certified copies of the actual marriage license or
for records prior to July 1948, contact the Recorder of Deeds office in the county
that issued the license. For certified copies of the actual divorce decree or for
records prior to July 1948, contact the Circuit Clerk's office in the county that
granted the decree.
Send all requests directly to the Bureau of Vital Records. Do not go through the parallel
office. In hardship cases, send an SSA-L706 with third party draft and return envelope.
Response will take 12-16 weeks.
Information for Verification of Vital Records can be found here. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records (BVR) requires a signed release for a birth
record request for another person. SSA must also have a signed release when requesting
a birth record (e.g., for verification purposes). You may use the SSA-L706, Letter
to Custodian of Birth Records, available in OS 15010.331. You may also use the VS-151,
the Application for Copy of Birth or Death Certification, on the Missouri Department
of Health site available at the link within this section.
Missouri BVR requires notarization on Form SSA-L706-F3 or on Form VS-151.
Information regarding documents required to obtain certified copies of Vital Records
can be found here. The Missouri BVR requires applicants who request vital records to submit photo identification
(i.e., a driver's license, passport, or school, work, or military identification).
Government-issued photo is preferred. Include a copy of the individual's identification
with the SSA-L706. If the applicant does not present photo identification, they must
submit two alternative forms of identification. If SSA sends the request for the individual,
the BVR will accept many forms of alternate identification (e.g., a bill from home,
health care card, Social Security card, bank application, Medicaid card). A photocopy
is acceptable. If the FO employee is the requester, the employee must also submit
a copy of their identification. See GN 00308.001B.3 for acceptable forms of identification.
If the number holder requests the vital record directly, they must include a photocopy
of their photo identification.
Can FO verify, certify or obtain free copy of birth/death record? - No