Thanks, Dave, for your reply. I sent my requests through the US Mail, each in a separate letter. I know that they received them because they cashed each one of my checks. I thought that maybe since they deposited the money, I would be hearing from them shortly. I just sent them an e-mail, giving each check number, dollar amount and name of the deceased on each death cert. Also let them know that each of the payments were cashed by the State of MO. I just asked as to how I might obtain the document copies that I had ordered. I was pretty nice and sweet about it. I don't expect the hear from them for about 5 days.....then I'll inquire once again, I guess. Thanks again for your reply. Sharon > I've ordered death certificates by mail a few times and the time to > process the requests varied between two and eight weeks. This was > when the certificates were with the Dept. of Health. > > I would say that current delays may have something to do with the > transfer of certificates to the Archives and their project to digitize > the records. Another reason could be that they have been besieged > with requests since the price of old certificates dropped from $13 to > $1. What I know for certain is this: I emailed a request on August > 11th and a reply only came this week. > > Additionally, you may want to review their mail and email policy, if > that's how you ordered the records. It states: "Submit only one > request and allow us to complete your research before submitting > others." (http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/email.asp) I take > that to mean one certificate at a time. > > "In-house patrons who search the death indexes may request up to ten > records at a time; those requests must be fulfilled before additional > requests can be made." > > "Currently, it is not possible to provide immediate service for those > patrons wishing to access the death certificates. The records are not > easily accessible and various preservation and security measures must > be taken before full service is instituted at the Missouri State > Archives for in-house visitors, online researchers, and postal mail > requests. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but > assure all patrons that this valuable collection will be made > available as soon as possible." > > http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/birthdeath/deathFAQ.asp > > Dave