Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How do I get a copy of my birth certificate?

Missouri county health departments have access to the database in Jefferson City where vital records are housed. The City of St. Joseph Health Department offers vital records service from 8am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Come to the second floor of Patee Market, with photo identification, to complete an application and pay a $15 fee per copy:
Patee Market
904 S. 10th St.
St. Joseph, MO 64503

The birth must have taken place since 1920 in Missouri. The application must be submitted by the person on the certificate or a family member.

2. What do I need a birth certificate for?

A State certified record of birth is a legal document. A birth certificate may be required to enroll a child in school, to get a driver’s permit or license, to get married, to travel or get a passport, some employers require them, as do some insurance policies, or for other legal documentation purposes.

3. Can I get a death certificate from your office?

Death certificates are also issued through county health department offices for deaths which occurred in Missouri, since 1980, of natural causes. If the death you need a certificate for does not meet these qualifications, you may contact the State office of vital records, below. A certificate of death may be needed for probate purposes, to process insurance claims or to buy or sell a piece of property that was wholly or partially owned by someone who is now deceased.

4. How can I pay for a birth or death certificate?

The City of St. Joseph Health Department accepts cash, personal check, money orders, debit and credit cards.

5. How do I make a change to a certificate?

All changes must be processed at the State level. County offices cannot make any change to a certificate, even if it appears to be a misprint or typographical error. Information to contact the state is below.
For birth records 573-751-6378
For death records 573-751-6385
For adding a father's name to a birth record 573-751-6216
For processing an Adoption or legitimating a birth 573-522-1715
For registration of Putative Father Registry 573-526-1537

6. How do I obtain a copy of a birth certificate from another state?

We can only process requests for Missouri births, but we’ll be happy to give you the contact information for other states or foreign births. Call our office (816-271-4636) for the phone number and address. Or you can visit the National Center for Health Statistics site on “Where to Write For Vital Records." The Internet address is http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm.

7. I live out of state and need a copy of a Missouri birth or death certificate in a hurry. What other options are there?

For expedited service, contact Vital Chek at the toll-free phone number 1-877-817-7363 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Documents can be requested by phone and charged to a major credit card. However, there is an additional $9.95 charge for the use of this service. To further expedite the request, overnight services are offered with an additional fee. Applications can also be placed on-line at www.vitalchek.com.

8. I’m traveling to another country. Do I need any vaccinations?

Possibly. The Clay County Health Department in Liberty, Missouri can assist you. Contact them at 816-781-1601 and ask for the Oversea’s Nurse.

9. How prepared are St. Joseph and the rest of Buchanan County for a bioterrorism attack?

St. Joseph and Buchanan County have emergency response plans in place to deal with hazardous chemical or biological events, as well as other disasters and are currently working to strengthen these plans. These plans involve the coordination of multiple agencies involved in law enforcement, public health, fire, emergency medical services and disaster response. For example, Public Health has developed systems for rapid detection and investigation of disease outbreaks that could be the first indication of a biological attack. Early detection will be very important, so that persons at risk can be identified and managed appropriately.

10. Is there a charge for children or adult immunizations?

There is no charge for most immunizations at the City of St. Joseph Health Department. Menactra, the vaccine to protect against meningitis, has a charge of $90. Call to confirm price and availability of Menactra vaccine. At this time, the health department clinic does not have Gardasil available. The clinic has a nominal charge for a TB test. TB vaccine is purchased by the clinic. The vaccines used in the immunization clinic are supplied through the Vaccine For Children (VFC) program.

11. Do I need to start all my shots over if I’m late getting one of my immunizations?

No. The clinic nurses will look at your immunization record and decide what needs to be given at that time. No shot series is started over.

12. Is there a charge for a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test will cost $5. An appointment is necessary to have a test done. Please call 271-4725 to make an appointment. Tests are done Monday - Friday from 8am to 11:30am and 1pm to 4pm.

13. How can I get temporary Missouri HealthNet?

Temporary Missouri HealthNet is only for pregnant women. If you have had a positive pregnancy test you can bring your proof of pregnancy to the health department and we can issue your “temp”. You will also need to bring proof of income, your social security number, and a picture identity.

14. What is the HIV test?

The HIV test looks for antibodies to HIV in either a blood specimen or an oral specimen. Results take two weeks to come back and testing is confidential. This antibody test can detect antibodies as soon as 2 weeks - 6 months after infection. The cost of the test is $10.

15. What is WIC?

WIC is Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program which is funded by the federal government. We service women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or whose pregnancy recently ended or infants under 12 months old and children under 5 years old who have qualified financially and have been found to have a nutritional risk. We can also test infants and children in these age ranges who have a male guardian.

16. How do I get WIC?

To get WIC, you need to meet the WIC income guidelines and have a nutritional risk.

17. What foods can I get on WIC?

Women and children: milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, peanut butter, beans, 100% natural juices.
If postpartum women are fully breastfeeding, they also get carrots and tuna added to their package.
Baby formula, baby cereal and baby juices.

18. What do we bring to the certification/recertification?

Picture ID: Drivers License, School ID, or Work Identification
Medicaid Card
Person or persons to be certified/recertified for WIC
Social Security Card
Shot record of child
Proof of income: wages, child support, SSI, interest on accounts etc.
Crib Card or discharge papers from hospital for baby

19. How can I be certain my breastfed baby is getting enough to eat?

Breastfeeding is the perfect food for babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition through at least the first birthday and longer when possible. Parents should look for certain characteristics to help identify the signs of a healthy, well-fed newborn. A baby should have a minimum of six wet diapers and three bowel movements per day after the third day of life; a weight loss no greater than 7 to 10 percent of the child's birth weight; and show a weight gain beginning the second week of life. For guidance on breastfeeding, contact WIC, a lactation specialist at Heartland Regional Medical Center New Beginnings or a local chapter of the La Leche League http://www.lalecheleague.org/

20. Where can I get more formula?

Birthright, food pantries, Heartbeat Pregnancy, Support Services. WIC only provides so much formula per month to an infant and the rest of the formula needs for the infant are up to the guardian.

21. Where are the food pantries?

Contact the Social Welfare Board at 233-5188 for a complete, up-to-date listing of food pantries.

22. What are some phone numbers of various community help programs?

Division of Family Services - 387-2000
Family Guidance - 364-1501
Head Start - 233-7193
Parents-As-Teachers - 671-4300
Birthright - 279-8242
Catholic Charities - 232-2885
EOC - 233-7193
Calvin Center - 232-7779
Inter-Serv - 238-4511