How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Missouri?
In Missouri, certified death certificates come from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $14Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $11Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
In Missouri, the first certified copy costs $14Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, and each additional copy ordered at the same time $11Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Copies ordered together cost less than separate orders placed later. The Missouri estate settlement plan lists the accounts and institutions that each want a certified copy.
Death certificates in Missouri are issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Online orders go through VitalChekMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Most funeral homes also place the first order for the family at the time of death.
Standard processing in Missouri takes 4-8 weeks for mail orders; local offices usually fasterMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. A funeral home's order at the time of death usually arrives first.
In Missouri, a certified copy can be ordered by: Family members, including in-laws and cousins, Genealogists representing a family member, and professionally recognized genealogists, Guardian, Official representatives (attorney, physician, funeral director, or other authorized agent with a notarized authorization)Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. A requester shows Signed application and search fee and In person: one photo identity document, or two alternate forms of identificationMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source holds death records from 1910Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to the present. A record becomes public 50 yearsMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source after the date of death.
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Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
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Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
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Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
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Named as Trustee
Being named trustee means managing trust assets and carrying out the grantor's wishes. Your duties, timeline, compensation, and how to get started.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Missouri
Free forms for settling an estate in Missouri: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Renunciation of Executor
In Missouri, a person named as executor may renounce the right to serveRSMo 473.113Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Missouri, heirs put their identity on the land records with an affidavit of heirship recorded with the countyRSMo 490.370; RSMo 301.682; RSMo 474.250; RSMo 473.663Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is admissible as evidence of the facts stated.
Estate Inventory
In Missouri, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Missouri, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsRSMo § 473.840.6; § 473.837; § 473.660Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Missouri
Free tools for settling an estate in Missouri: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
Do I Need Probate?
In Missouri, estates valued at $40,000RSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Small Estate AffidavitRSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysRSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Missouri requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Mo. Rev. Stat. § 143.011Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Missouri: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsRSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Missouri, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $40,000RSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 6 monthsRSMo § 473.360Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Missouri levies no estate or inheritance taxMo. Rev. Stat. §§ 145.011, 145.1000; Mo. Dept. of Revenue, Estate Tax (no Missouri estate tax imposed; no return required for deaths on or after Jan. 1, 2005)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Missouri imposes no inheritance or estate taxMo. Rev. Stat. §§ 145.011, 145.1000; Mo. Dept. of Revenue, Estate Tax (no Missouri estate tax imposed; no return required for deaths on or after Jan. 1, 2005)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 12 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Missouri take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces no state tax after a 100% exclusion of long-term gains, available to individuals only, not to estates or trusts§ 143.121.3(14)(a) RSMo (HB 594, 2025) — 100% capital gains deduction for an INDIVIDUAL subject to tax under § 143.011; estates/trusts excludedVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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Missouri Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Missouri probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.