Scott County Death Record Search

Scott County death records are available through the county health department in Benton, Missouri. Scott County sits in the southeastern corner of the state, not far from the Mississippi River, and its health department handles death certificates for deaths that occurred locally from 1980 to the present. You can visit the office in person, mail a request, or use Missouri's authorized online vendor. Older death records going back to 1910 are maintained at the state level. The process requires ID and a completed application form.

Scott County Health Department

The Scott County Health Department serves as the local registrar for death records. This office issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred within Scott County from 1980 to the present. You can reach them at (573) 545-3583. The mailing address is P.O. Box 70, Benton, MO 63736. Walk-in requests are generally processed the same day. Staff can help you figure out what documents you need and guide you through the application.

You need a valid photo ID to request a death certificate at the Scott County office. Under RSMo 193.255, Missouri limits who can receive a certified copy. Family members of the deceased, legal representatives, funeral directors, and genealogists with a family connection are all eligible. Staff will verify your identity and your relationship to the person on the record before they hand over a copy. If you lack a photo ID, two alternate forms of identification are accepted.

How to Order Scott County Death Certificates

You have three main ways to get a death certificate from Scott County. The fastest is to visit the health department in Benton in person. Bring your photo ID, fill out the request form, and pay the fee. The first certified copy is $14 and extra copies are $11 each when ordered at the same time. Staff usually have your certificate ready within a few minutes. This is the best option if you are in the area.

Mail requests are also accepted. Download the application from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records and complete it. Include a check or money order for the fee, a copy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send the packet to the Scott County Health Department at P.O. Box 70, Benton, MO 63736. Plan for about two weeks of processing time. Mail takes longer but it is the practical choice if you cannot make the trip to Benton.

VitalChek provides a third option as Missouri's authorized online vendor. They charge a service fee beyond the base certificate cost. Orders ship in 5 to 7 business days. Call 1-877-817-7363 to order by phone if you prefer.

Note: Under RSMo 193.245, you cannot photocopy a certified death certificate and use it for official purposes.

Death Record Fees in Scott County

Scott County follows the statewide fee schedule under RSMo 193.265. A certified death certificate is $14 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered together are $11 each. These rates are the same no matter how you order. VitalChek adds processing fees on top. The local office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards only work through VitalChek.

The fee includes searching for the record and producing a certified copy with the registrar's seal. Courts, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all accept the certified version. An informational copy without the seal may be available for personal reference at a lower cost.

Older Scott County Death Records

The local health department keeps death records starting from 1980. For Scott County deaths between 1910 and 1979, you need to contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. They hold the state's central file going back to January 1, 1910. The same $14 fee applies. You can order by mail, in person at the Jefferson City office, or through VitalChek.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database offers free digital images of death certificates from 1910 through 1975. Under RSMo 193.225, records more than 50 years old transfer to the State Archives and become publicly accessible. You can search by name, county, and year to find old Scott County certificates. The scanned images of original handwritten records are great for genealogy work.

Before 1910, Missouri lacked a statewide registration system. Some Scott County records from 1883 to 1893 may exist at the Missouri State Archives. Coverage varies because reporting was voluntary in that era. Contact the archives at 573-751-3280 to check what they have for Scott County.

What Scott County Death Certificates Contain

A death certificate from Scott County contains detailed information about the deceased person. Under RSMo 193.145, funeral directors and medical certifiers must file the certificate within five days of death through Missouri's Electronic Vital Records system. The record includes the full legal name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, parents' names including the mother's maiden name, cause of death, occupation, and last known residence. Burial or cremation details and the funeral home name are part of the record as well.

Missouri offers a short form and a long form death certificate. The short form is an abstract with basic information. The long form is a complete copy of the original. Most legal situations accept the short form, but genealogy research and some court cases may require the long form. Tell the Scott County staff which type you need when placing your request.

The Missouri Death Index provides free searches covering deaths from 1968 to 2022. Use it to confirm basic facts before paying for a certified copy from Scott County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Scott County in southeast Missouri. If you are unsure where a death was recorded, check with these neighboring counties.