The state of Missouri started recording state-wide birth records in 1910. Prior to that, some local records were kept; however, government generated birth records before 1910 are not plentiful.

Church baptismal records are a great source for the date of birth and the name of the child’s parents. Most of the Catholic Church records are not indexed electronically, but they are available on microfilm at St. Louis County Library Special Collections or via the Family History Library. The individual church record books often have an index.

St. Louis County Library Special Collections has an index for the St. Louis County Birth records from 1883 to 1895 online. In addition, the library has St. Louis County births on microfilm up to 1910 and an index of stillbirths from 1883 to 1908, which is also available online.

St. Louis started keeping a birth register in 1850; however, compliance was limited. This record is available on film at the St. Louis Genealogical Society office and St. Louis County Library Special Collections. The same library has an index to St. Louis City births from 1910 to 1929 on microfilm.

If you need a copy of the actual record, St. Louis City birth records are available at St. Louis City Hall. St. Louis County records are available at the County Vital Records department.

St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds
Vital Records, Room 126
1200 Market Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63103

St. Louis County Vital Records
111 South Meramec Avenue, 1st Floor
Clayton, Missouri 63105