Vital Records Issuance

PURPOSE: This rule authorizes local registrars to issue certifications of birth and death records of events occurring in the state of Missouri. (1) Who May Issue. Computer-generated certifications of birth and death records may be issued by the local registrar once the record has been registered with the Bureau of Vital Records. Permission to issue certifications grants validity and legality to the certifications when not in conflict with the laws of this state. (2) Confidentiality. The state registrar and local registrars shall request the signature, relationship to the person named on the record, the reason for the record of each applicant for a birth or death certification, and shall require identification of the applicant or when a copy is requested by mail, a notarized statement shall be required. If the applicant is under the age of eighteen (18) years old, the signature of a parent or legal guardian shall be substituted. An exception to this rule shall be made when a governmental agency is obtaining information for protection of the public interest. The signature, title of the agent, name of agency, and employee identification shall be required. (3) Responsibility of Applicant. The burden of proper and adequate identification of a record in the files of the Bureau of Vital Records shall rest upon the applicant for the record. In a contested case, the burden of proof that an individual is authorized under Chapter 193, RSMo, to obtain a copy of all or any part of a vital record shall rest upon the applicant for the record. The state registrar or local registrars at all times may request additional information to support the demand of an applicant whose request for a copy appears not to be in accordance with the law. AUTHORITY: section 193.035, RSMo 2016.* This rule was previously filed as 13 CSR 50-150.020 and 19 CSR 30-10.020. Original rule filed March 6, 1951, effective March 16, 1951. Changed to 19 CSR 10-10.020 July 30, 1998. Amended: Filed March 12, 1999, effective Sept. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed Jan. 11, 2023, effective July 30, 2023. *Original authority: 193.035, RSMo 1984, amended 1993, 1995.