Find St. Louis County Death Records

St. Louis County death records are maintained by the county's Department of Public Health at their Berkeley location. With over one million residents, St. Louis County is the most populous county in Missouri and handles a high volume of vital records requests each year. Whether you need a death certificate for legal, insurance, or personal reasons, you can get one through the county health department, the state Bureau of Vital Records, or VitalChek's online system. The county office keeps records from 1980 to the present, while the state holds everything back to 1910.

St. Louis County Department of Public Health

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is the local registrar for death records in the county. Their vital records office at 6121 N Hanley Rd in Berkeley handles requests for death certificates covering deaths that occurred in St. Louis County from 1980 to the present. The county seat is Clayton, but vital records are processed at the Berkeley location. You can reach them at (314) 615-1720 or by email at DPH.VitalRecords@stlouiscountymo.gov. Walk-in requests during business hours are typically processed the same day.

For full details on their services, visit the St. Louis County birth and death records page. The page explains forms, fees, and what identification you need to bring. Under RSMo 193.255, Missouri restricts who can receive a certified death certificate. Family members, legal representatives, attorneys, funeral directors, and genealogists with a family connection all qualify. Staff at the Berkeley office will verify your identity and eligibility before they process your request.

St. Louis County is separate from the City of St. Louis, which operates independently as its own jurisdiction. If the death occurred within city limits, you would need to contact the City of St. Louis vital records office instead.

Getting Death Certificates in St. Louis County

The fastest way to get a death certificate from St. Louis County is to visit the vital records office at 6121 N Hanley Rd in Berkeley. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out the request form. The first certified copy costs $14. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $11. Staff usually have the certificate ready within minutes. Given the volume of requests this office handles, wait times can vary, but same-day service is standard.

Mail requests are also accepted. Download the application from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records or from the St. Louis County website. Complete the form, include payment by check or money order, a copy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health at 6121 N Hanley Rd, Berkeley, MO 63134. Allow a couple of weeks for processing. Mail is slower but convenient if you cannot make it to Berkeley in person.

The third option is VitalChek, Missouri's authorized online vendor. VitalChek charges a service fee beyond the base certificate cost. Orders typically ship in 5 to 7 business days. You can also call 1-877-817-7363 to place a phone order. This is a solid choice if you want to handle everything digitally from wherever you are.

Note: RSMo 193.245 prohibits photocopying a certified death certificate for official use.

St. Louis County Death Record Fees

Fees in St. Louis County follow the statewide schedule under RSMo 193.265. The first certified death certificate costs $14. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $11 each. These fees are the same whether you order in person, by mail, or through the state. VitalChek adds its own processing fee. At the Berkeley office, payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are accepted through VitalChek only.

The fee covers searching the records and issuing a certified copy with the registrar's seal. This certified version is what courts, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies require. An informational copy without the seal may be available for personal reference at a lower cost. Ask the staff at the St. Louis County vital records office about your specific needs.

Historical Death Records for St. Louis County

The county health department holds death records from 1980 onward. For deaths in St. Louis County between 1910 and 1979, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. They maintain the state's central file going back to January 1, 1910. The same $14 fee applies.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database has 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. The digitized images of old St. Louis County certificates are valuable for genealogy and historical research.

Before 1910, Missouri lacked a statewide death registration system. Some St. Louis County records from 1883 to 1893 may exist at the Missouri State Archives. Coverage from that era varies. Contact the archives at 573-751-3280 to learn what they have for St. Louis County.

What St. Louis County Death Certificates Contain

A death certificate from St. Louis County includes 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 shows 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 information and the funeral home name are also included.

Missouri offers two formats for death certificates. The short form is an abstract with basic facts. The long form provides a complete copy of the original. Most legal situations accept the short form, but certain court cases or genealogy research may call for the long form. Let the St. Louis County staff know which one you need.

You can also check the Missouri Death Index for free. It covers deaths from 1968 to 2022 and helps you verify details before paying for a certified copy. The index is not an official record but it is a useful research starting point for St. Louis County deaths.

Cities in St. Louis County

St. Louis County contains dozens of municipalities. Death records for all of them are handled by the St. Louis County Department of Public Health at the Berkeley office.

Other communities in St. Louis County include University City, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Ballwin, Maryland Heights, and Wildwood. All death certificate requests for these areas go through the county health department.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Louis County in eastern Missouri. If you are unsure where a death was registered, check with these neighboring areas.