Clark County Death Records

Death records in Clark County are on file at the local health department in Kahoka, Missouri. The office holds death certificates for deaths that took place in Clark County from 1980 to the present day. Clark County sits in the far northeast corner of Missouri, right along the Iowa and Illinois borders. The health department serves as the local registrar for vital records. If you need a record from before 1980, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps files going back to 1910. You can get copies in person, by mail, or through the state's online vendor.

Clark County Health Department

The Clark County Health Department acts as the local registrar for vital records in Missouri's northeast corner. Staff here can issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths that happened in Clark County from 1980 forward. The office is at 670 North Johnson in Kahoka, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 12, Kahoka, MO 63445. Call (660) 727-2356 to check on hours or ask what documents you need. Walk-in requests are usually handled the same day.

For details on their vital records services, visit the Clark County Health Department vital records page. That page lists the forms and explains the process. Under RSMo 193.255, Missouri law controls who can get a certified death certificate. Staff will ask about your relationship to the person on the record. Family members, funeral directors, attorneys, legal guardians, and genealogists with a family connection are all eligible. Bring a valid photo ID.

The health department keeps regular weekday hours. Closed on state holidays and weekends.

How to Get Clark County Death Certificates

You have three ways to get a death certificate from Clark County. Going in person is quickest. Bring a photo ID, fill out the form, and pay. The first certified copy is $14. Each extra copy at the same time costs $11. Staff can hand you the certificate right there. This works best if you are in or near Kahoka.

Mail requests are a good option if you live far away. Download the application from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records website and fill it out. Include a check or money order for $14 payable to the Clark County Health Department. Add a copy of your photo ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to P.O. Box 12, Kahoka, MO 63445. Expect processing to take a couple of weeks.

VitalChek is the state's authorized online vendor and the third option. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the certificate cost. Orders process in about 5 to 7 business days. You can also call 1-877-817-7363 to order by phone. Credit and debit cards are accepted through VitalChek.

RSMo 193.245 prohibits reproducing a certified death certificate for official use.

Death Record Fees

Clark County follows the fee schedule under RSMo 193.265. A certified death certificate costs $14 for the first copy. Additional copies at the same time are $11 each. These fees apply no matter how you order. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted at the health department. VitalChek adds its own processing charge.

The fee covers the record search and the issuance of a certified copy with the registrar's seal. Courts, banks, and government agencies require this version. An informational copy without the seal may be available at a lower cost for personal reference. Ask the Clark County staff about your options when you call or visit.

Historical Death Records

The Clark County Health Department has records from 1980 forward. For deaths between 1910 and 1979, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. They keep the central state file from January 1, 1910. The $14 fee applies. Request by mail, in person, or through VitalChek.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database has free digital images of death certificates from 1910 to 1975. Under RSMo 193.225, records older than 50 years are transferred to the archives and made public. Search by name, county, and year online at no cost. The images show the original handwritten certificates.

Before 1910, Missouri had no statewide registration. Some Clark County records from 1883 to 1893 may exist in the Missouri State Archives pre-1910 index. Reporting was not required then, so coverage varies. Contact the archives at 573-751-3280 for help with Clark County records from that period.

Death Certificate Details

A Clark County death certificate contains detailed information about the deceased. Under RSMo 193.145, funeral directors and medical certifiers must file the certificate within five days of the death using the Missouri Electronic Vital Records system. The record lists the full legal name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, parents' names including mother's maiden name, cause of death, occupation, last residence, and burial information. The funeral home name and informant also appear.

Missouri issues two types. The short form has basic facts and works for most purposes. The long form is a full copy of the original record. Genealogy and some court matters may need the long form. Let the staff know which you want when you request your copy.

The Missouri Death Index is a free tool covering deaths from 1968 to 2022. Use it to confirm basic facts before ordering a certified copy from Clark County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clark County in northeast Missouri. If the death happened near a county line, it may have been filed in a neighboring area.