Death certificates began being recorded statewide in 1910 and are closed for 50 years before they are transferred to the Missouri State Archives. They provide valuable information for family historians and researchers including date of birth; names of parents and spouse; cause of death; occupation; and funeral home and burial information.

People are often surprised to learn that the most popular documents in our collection are the more than 2.5 million death certificates. You can find death certificates of famous Missourians such as John William “Blind” Boone and Laura Ingalls Wilder; but you can also find out a lot of information about your own family history.

If you have questions or comments about these records, please contact the Missouri State Archives at archref@sos.mo.gov.