US state guide
Missouri birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship
Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified Missouri records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.
Order a certified long-form certificate
- OfficeMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
- Long formlong form (state office issues short form and long form; long form recommended)
- How to orderonline, mail, in person
- Fee per birth certificate$15
Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.
Get the apostille
- Issued byMissouri Secretary of State, Commissions (Notaries & Commissions)
- Fee per document$10
- How to applymail
- Watch outBirth certificate must be a certified copy from the Bureau of Vital Records (SOS authenticates the State Registrar); include the SOS cover letter; card payments add a convenience fee
Prepare it for your country
Greece
Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.
Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.
Greek citizenship guide →Ireland
Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.
US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.
Irish citizenship guide →Poland
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
Polish citizenship guide →Fees and procedures come from official Missouri websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Consulates that serve Missouri
FAQ
How do I get a long-form birth certificate in Missouri?
Order a certified copy from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records (online, mail, in person). Note: long form (state office issues short form and long form; long form recommended). Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.
How do I get an apostille in Missouri?
Apostilles for Missouri documents are issued by Missouri Secretary of State, Commissions (Notaries & Commissions), currently $10 per document. Birth certificate must be a certified copy from the Bureau of Vital Records (SOS authenticates the State Registrar); include the SOS cover letter; card payments add a convenience fee Check the official page for current fees and processing times.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.
Which countries' citizenship can these Missouri documents be used for?
The same apostilled Missouri records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.
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