Jefferson County Death Records

Jefferson County death records are available from the local health department in Arnold, Missouri. The Jefferson County Health Department handles death certificate requests for deaths that took place in the county from 1980 to the present. Jefferson County is one of the larger counties in the St. Louis metro area, with Hillsboro serving as the county seat. If you need a death record from this area, you can visit the health department, submit a mail request, or use the state's online ordering system. The office also provides guidance on where to look for older records that predate their local files.

Jefferson County Health Department

The Jefferson County Health Department is located at 1818 Lonedell Road in Arnold, MO 63010. This office acts as the local registrar for death records in Jefferson County. Staff can issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths that happened here from 1980 forward. The phone number is (636) 797-3737. You can call to ask about current hours, what forms you need, and what identification to bring with you. Walk-in requests are handled the same day in most cases, so visiting in person is the quickest route to getting your certified copy.

The health department's administrative services page outlines the vital records process, including death certificates. Forms are available at the office and sometimes on the website. You will need to show a valid photo ID and meet Missouri's eligibility requirements under RSMo 193.255. The staff in Jefferson County are used to handling these requests and can walk you through what you need if it is your first time.

Office hours are weekdays during normal business hours. The office closes on state holidays and weekends.

Getting Death Certificates in Jefferson County

There are three ways to get a death certificate from Jefferson County. The in-person option is the fastest. Go to 1818 Lonedell Road in Arnold, show your ID, fill out the request form, and pay $14 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $11 each under RSMo 193.265. Most walk-in requests get processed right away. You can have your certified copy in hand within minutes.

Mail is the second option. Download the application from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Complete the form and include a check or money order for $14, payable to the Jefferson County Health Department. Add a copy of your photo ID and a stamped return envelope. Mail it to 1818 Lonedell Road, Arnold, MO 63010. Processing by mail usually takes two to three weeks. This is a good choice if you live outside the Arnold area or cannot make the trip.

The third option is VitalChek. This is the state's authorized online service for ordering vital records. There is an extra fee for their service, but you can order from home. Orders ship in about 5 to 7 business days. Phone orders are also available at 1-877-817-7363.

Note: RSMo 193.245 says certified copies cannot be photocopied for official use.

Older Jefferson County Death Records

The Jefferson County Health Department only has death records from 1980 onward. If you need a death certificate from before 1980, you have to contact the state. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City keeps death certificates from January 1, 1910 to the present for all Missouri counties. The fee is $14 for the first certified copy. Request by mail or through VitalChek. In-person visits to the state office require an appointment, and their lobby hours are Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The Missouri State Archives has free digitized death certificates from 1910 to 1975. Under RSMo 193.225, records older than 50 years transfer to the archives and become available to the public. Search by name, county, or year. The scanned images show the original certificates, which is useful for family history research.

For pre-1910 records, the Missouri State Archives has an index of early birth and death records from 1883 to 1893. Not every county had records that survived from that period. Call the archives at 573-751-3280 to check what they have for Jefferson County. The Missouri Death Index is another free resource covering deaths from 1968 through 2022.

Jefferson County Death Record Eligibility

Missouri law controls who can get a certified death certificate. RSMo 193.255 and 19 CSR 10-10.090 lay out the rules. The Jefferson County Health Department follows them closely. You need to show both your identity and your connection to the person on the record before they release a certified copy.

Eligible people include:

• Family members, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, and step-relatives
• Funeral directors representing the family
• Attorneys acting on behalf of a family member
• Legal guardians with supporting court documents
• Genealogists who can show a family tie
• Anyone with a direct and tangible interest

A valid photo ID is required. Driver's license, passport, and military ID all work. Two alternate forms of ID can be used if you do not have a photo ID. These rules exist to protect the privacy of the deceased and their surviving family while making records accessible to those who need them. Under RSMo 193.145, all Jefferson County deaths are filed electronically within five days through the state's MoEVR system.

Death Certificate Contents

A death certificate from Jefferson County records the full legal name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, and the names of both parents including the mother's maiden name. It also shows the cause of death as certified by the attending physician or coroner. The deceased person's occupation, last address, and marital status appear on the record. Burial or cremation details and the name of the funeral home are included as well.

Missouri issues both a short form and a long form. The short form, sometimes called a certification, gives a summary of the key facts. Most situations accept it. The long form is a complete copy of the original certificate with every detail. For court proceedings or in-depth genealogy research, you may want the long form. Just tell the Jefferson County staff which version you need when you place your request.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County borders several counties in the eastern Missouri region south of St. Louis. If a death happened near the county line, the record could be on file in a neighboring county. Check the health department in each area for local records.