Find Warren County Death Records

Warren County death records are kept by the Warren County Health Department in Warrenton, Missouri. The office maintains death certificates for events that occurred in the county from 1980 to the present. An additional resource for researchers is the Warren County Clerk, which has birth and death records covering the period from 1884 to 1894. For records between 1910 and 1979, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City holds the statewide file. You can request death certificates in person, by mail, or through the state's online ordering system.

Warren County Health Department

The Warren County Health Department serves as the local registrar for death records in this east-central Missouri county. Staff issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths that happened in Warren County from 1980 forward. The office is at 104 W. Booneslick, Ste H, Warrenton, MO 63383. Call (636) 456-7474 to verify hours or ask about what you need to bring.

Walk-in requests are processed during business hours and can usually be done the same day. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Under RSMo 193.255, Missouri limits who can get a certified death certificate. Family members of the deceased, attorneys representing the family, funeral directors, legal guardians with proper paperwork, and genealogists who can show a family link are all eligible. The staff will check your ID and verify your relationship before processing the request.

Warren County has been growing in recent years due to its location between St. Louis and Columbia along Interstate 70. The health department sees more traffic than it once did, so calling ahead to confirm wait times is a good idea.

How to Get Warren County Death Certificates

Going to the health department in Warrenton is the fastest way. Bring photo ID, fill out the request form, and pay the fee. The first certified copy costs $13 to $14 depending on the record. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $11 each. Staff can usually complete your request while you wait.

You can also send a mail request. Download the application from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records website and fill it out. Include a check or money order for the right amount payable to the Warren County Health Department, a copy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to 104 W. Booneslick, Ste H, Warrenton, MO 63383. Plan on about two weeks for processing and return mail.

VitalChek is the state's authorized online ordering service. They charge a processing fee beyond the certificate cost. Orders take about 5 to 7 business days. You can also order by phone at 1-877-817-7363. This is a convenient option for people in the greater St. Louis area who do not want to drive out to Warrenton.

Under RSMo 193.245, certified death certificates cannot be photocopied for official use. Each official copy must come directly from the registrar's office.

Warren County Clerk Records (1884-1894)

The Warren County Clerk has birth and death records on file from 1884 to 1894. This is a valuable resource for genealogy researchers because Missouri did not begin mandatory statewide registration until 1910. During the 1883 to 1893 voluntary filing period, some counties kept records and some did not. Warren County is one of the places where early records survived.

These historical records at the County Clerk's office are not the same as modern certified death certificates. They are from an era before standardized forms, so the level of detail varies from one entry to the next. Some may have full names, dates, and causes of death. Others may have only basic information. Still, for anyone tracing Warren County families from the late 1800s, these records can provide clues that you will not find elsewhere.

Contact the Warren County Clerk's office in Warrenton for details about accessing these records. The process and fees may differ from what the health department charges for modern vital records.

Older Records and Free Online Searches

For deaths between 1910 and 1979, contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. They hold the statewide central file going back to January 1, 1910. The $14 fee applies. Request by mail, in person, or through VitalChek.

The Missouri State Archives death certificate database provides free access to scanned images of death certificates from 1910 to 1975. Under RSMo 193.225, records more than 50 years old are transferred to the archives and become publicly available. Search by name, county, and year at no cost. The images show the original handwritten certificates.

The Missouri Death Index covers deaths from 1968 to 2022 and is also free. It lets you verify names, dates, and counties before ordering a certified copy. Between the County Clerk's 1884-1894 records, the State Archives database, and the Death Index, Warren County researchers have a solid set of tools for tracing family history.

Death Certificate Contents

A Warren County death certificate contains detailed information about the deceased person. Under RSMo 193.145, the certificate must be filed within five days of death through the Missouri Electronic Vital Records system. The record includes the full legal name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, and both parents' names including the mother's maiden name. Cause of death, occupation, home address, burial details, and the funeral home name are also on the record.

Missouri offers short form and long form death certificates. The short form is an abstract with the basic facts. The long form has every detail from the original. Most legal situations accept the short form. Some court cases and genealogy research may need the long form. Tell the Warren County staff which type you need when you place your request. The fee under RSMo 193.265 covers the search and certified copy.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Warren County along the Missouri River corridor. If the death happened near a county line, it may have been recorded in a neighboring county.