City guide · Independence, Missouri · Details last checked Oct 30, 2026

Independence, Missouri document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Independence, Missouri, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Not affiliated, not legal advice. Errand Desk isn't affiliated with the City of Independence, Independence Health and Animal Services, Jackson County, Jackson County Public Health, the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds, the 16th Judicial Circuit, the Mid-Continent Public Library, the Kansas City Public Library, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri Secretary of State, the State of Missouri, USPS, The UPS Store or the U.S. Department of State. This is general information, not legal advice. Prices and hours change; check the linked source before you go.

Which offices serve Independence: the Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county file lists Independence in Jackson and Clay counties ^[1]. This page covers Jackson County offices (the Recorder of Deeds and the 16th Judicial Circuit); if you live in the Clay County part of the city, check with Clay County for marriage licenses, recording and court copies. Two library systems have branches in Independence: the Mid-Continent Public Library (East Independence, North Independence, South Independence and the Midwest Genealogy Center) ^[2] and the Kansas City Public Library (Trails West Branch) ^[3]. The Census Geocoder places the four Mid-Continent addresses inside Independence city, Jackson County ^[4].

Short version: Mid-Continent Public Library prints and copies are 10¢ a page in black and white ^[5][6], and its East Independence Branch notarizes free by appointment ^[7]. The passport locator lists 1 facility in Independence, the Kansas City Public Library's Trails West Branch ^[8]. A birth certificate is $15 from the city's Health and Animal Services Department ^[9], and a Jackson County marriage license is $52, issued at the Truman Courthouse in Independence ^[10].

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Mid-Continent Public Library

Copies and prints: 10 cents a page in black and white and 50 cents a page in color. Copiers print letter and legal size; the Midwest Genealogy Center and the North Independence Branch also print 11 x 17 ^[5][6].
Remote printing: send prints from a web browser, the ePRINTit SaaS app or email, and pick them up at any MCPL location by closing time the same day. You can't bring your own paper ^[6].
Scanning: free to a USB drive on the library copiers ^[5].
Fax: send only, at any MCPL branch, on self-service machines run by an outside company: $1.75 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page within the United States; international faxes are $3.95 for the first page and $3.45 for each additional page. Credit or debit card only ^[11].
Branches in Independence: East Independence, 4505 Little Blue Parkway, (816) 503-4100; North Independence, 317 W. 24 Hwy., (816) 252-0950; South Independence, 13700 E. 35th St. South, (816) 461-2050; and the Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, (816) 252-7228. The administrative headquarters at 15616 E. 24 Hwy. has no public services ^[2].

Kansas City Public Library, Trails West Branch

Where: 11401 East 23rd Street, Independence, MO 64052, 816.701.3483. The branch page lists copy, fax and scan machines and printing ^[3].
Prices (library-wide): black-and-white prints are free for pages 1–50 and $0.10 a page for pages 51–150; color is $0.50 a page, with a daily limit of 150 pages ^[12]. Copies cost the same as prints; fax is "Currently FREE to national landline number. $1 per page international landline"; scanning is free ^[13].

The UPS Store: it lists 1 location in Independence: 16657 E 23rd St, (816) 461-3101. Its city page says they offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[14]. We didn't find prices on the store pages; The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[15].
Where the UPS store is: the Census Geocoder places it inside Independence city ^[4].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Independence

Mid-Continent Public Library (free, by appointment): free notary service by appointment at the East Independence Branch, among other MCPL branches; book through the library's online scheduler. Everyone signing must bring an unexpired government-issued photo ID and the complete documents. MCPL staff don't notarize Form I-9 or other employment verification forms, school enrollment forms, or vital or public records such as birth or death certificates or marriage licenses, and the library doesn't provide witnesses ^[7][16].
Kansas City Public Library, Trails West (sources differ): the library's notary page says notary service is "Currently unavailable at the Trails West Branch" ^[17], but the Trails West branch page lists "Notary by Appointment" ^[3]. Call 816.701.3483 before you go.
The UPS Store: its Independence page lists notarizing ^[14].
Fee limits (statewide): Missouri law caps what a notary may charge: $5 per signature for an acknowledgment, a jurat or a signature witnessing, and $1 per page for a certified copy, with a $3 minimum. A notary may charge less or nothing, may add a travel fee only if you agree to it in advance, and may not charge to notarize an absentee ballot or absentee voter registration. A notary who charges must display or hand you a fee schedule ^[18][19].

Passports in Independence

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 1 facility in Independence ^[8]:

Facility	Address and phone	Passport hours (locator)	Photos
Kansas City Public Library, Trails West Branch*	11401 E. 23rd St. S., Independence, MO 64052. 816-701-3483	Mon–Wed 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (closed noon–2); Thu 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Fri, Sat 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed noon–2); Sun 1–4 p.m.	Listed as on site

* The Census Geocoder didn't match this address on its current data, and on its 2020 Census benchmark it matched a different street direction (W instead of E), so we couldn't confirm the location with it ^[4]. The library's own branch page lists the Trails West Branch at 11401 East 23rd Street, Independence ^[3].

Library (by appointment): the Kansas City Public Library lists its Trails West Branch for first-time passport applications, Monday–Sunday; call 816.701.3483 to make an appointment. The $35 execution fee is paid to the library by cash, card, check or money order; the application fee must be a check or money order to the U.S. Department of State. The library doesn't process renewals ^[20]. The branch's posted general hours are Sunday 1–5 p.m., Monday–Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ^[3]; the locator's passport hours above are shorter.
Photos (sources differ): the locator data lists Trails West as taking photos ^[8], but the library's passport page says, "The Library is not currently offering passport photo services" ^[20]. Bring a photo or ask when you book.
Mid-Continent Public Library: none of its passport branches is in Independence. It lists Blue Springs North, Colbern Road, East Lee's Summit, Kearney, Lee's Summit, Parkville, Raytown, Smithville and Withers, by appointment only, $35 execution fee, no renewals and no photo service ^[21].
Post office: we didn't find an Independence post office in the locator data.
Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[22].
Faster service (national): the State Department's 1–3 business day return delivery is $26.87, for passport books only ^[23].
State Department fees (national): for a first passport or other in-person (DS-11) application, the application fee for an adult (16 and older) is $130 for a book, $30 for a card or $160 for both; for a child under 16 it is $100, $15 or $115. A $35 acceptance fee is paid separately to the acceptance facility, and expedited service is $60 more ^[23].

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth and death certificates: Missouri DHSS (statewide)

Fees (statewide): the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) lists $15 for a birth certificate and $14 for a death certificate, with $11 for each additional copy of the same death record ordered at the same time. Each fee covers a five-year search and one certified copy if the record is found; it isn't refunded if no record is found. A statement of marriage, divorce or single status from the state is $15 ^[24][25].
Local offices (statewide): local public health agencies charge the same birth and death fees as the state, but hold only births from 1920 on and deaths from 1980 on. Certified marriage and divorce records come from the office that issued them, which sets its own fee ^[25].
Who can order (statewide): Missouri vital records aren't open to the public; state law allows a certified copy only for a person with "a direct and tangible interest in the record" ^[24]. In person, bring ID; by mail, the application must be notarized and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The state office is the Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Dr., Jefferson City ^[26]. DHSS says it charges no extra administrative fee, but VitalChek, its online vendor, adds a processing fee ^[27].

Birth and death certificates: Independence Health and Animal Services

Where: the second floor of Independence Municipal Commons, 20201 E. Jackson Dr., Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department began offering certified copies in 2024, for people born or who died in Missouri. Bring a photo ID; without one, two other forms of ID are accepted, such as a letter from a government agency, a signed Social Security card, an insurance card or a car title. The process takes about 15–20 minutes. Questions: 816-325-7803 ^[9].
Fees: a birth certificate is $15. A death certificate is $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy requested during the same visit ^[9].
County office (outside the city): Jackson County Public Health issues birth certificates for Missouri births from 1920 on at 3651 NE Ralph Powell Rd in Lee's Summit, walk-in weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $15 per certified copy by debit, credit (not American Express) or cash. By mail, send a notarized application, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order payable to Jackson County Public Health; it mails certificates within 48 hours of receiving the request, excluding weekends. Questions: (816) 404-6419 ^[28].

Marriage licenses: Jackson County Recorder of Deeds

Where: the Historic Truman Courthouse, 112 W. Lexington, Suite 30, Independence, MO 64050, Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 816-881-4483, records@jacksongov.org. You can start the application online, but both applicants must appear in person ^[10].
Fee and ID: $52, non-refundable, by cash or credit or debit card (Discover, Visa, MasterCard), with a 2.75% card fee. Both applicants must be at least 18 and bring a valid ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport or military ID ^[10].
When it's valid: the ceremony must take place in Missouri within 30 days, and the officiant returns the license within 15 days ^[10].
Certified copies: $10, in person or by mail; usually returned the same day or the next morning ^[29][30].
Statewide rules: under RSMo 451.040, both applicants sign the application in front of the recorder of deeds or a deputy, or through an approved online process, and the license is "void after thirty days from the date of issuance." We didn't find a waiting period in the statute. Common-law marriages are void in Missouri ^[31]. RSMo 451.151 adds a $20 state fee to every license and $7 to every certified copy, which are included in county totals ^[32].

Recorded documents: Jackson County Recorder of Deeds

Recording: new fees apply to documents received on or after Aug. 28, 2026: deeds are $23 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Cards carry a 2.75% fee ^[30].
Copies: $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus $1 per document to certify ^[30]. Recorded documents from 1962 on, and marriage licenses from 1826 on, are free to search online; older records are on microfilm at the recording offices ^[29]. The fee page lists the Jackson County Courthouse at 415 E. 12th St., Kansas City, 816-881-3000 ^[30].
Recording fees (statewide): RSMo 59.310 sets the recorder's own fee at $5 for the first page and $3 for each page after that, and caps copies of recorded documents at $2 for the first page and $1 for each page after that, plus $1 for a certificate and seal ^[33]. County fee tables are higher than that base fee, so use the county's posted total.

Court copies: 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)

Where: the Independence copy desk is at 308 W. Kansas Ave., Suite 107, Independence, MO 64050, 816-881-1710 ^[34].
Fees: regular copies are $0.30 a page; certified copies $4.00 per document plus copies; authenticated copies $6.00 per document plus copies; microfilm or archived copies $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each page after that ^[34].
How to pay: in person, by money order, cashier's check, card or cash; by mail, money order or cashier's check. No personal checks. Copies won't be faxed or emailed ^[34].
Statewide: we didn't find a statewide circuit court copy fee schedule; each Missouri circuit posts its own.

Apostilles (statewide)

Who: the Missouri Secretary of State issues certifications (for notaries), authentications (for recorders of deeds, circuit clerks, judges, county clerks and the State Registrar) and apostilles for countries in the Hague Convention. The country where you will use the document decides which certificate you get ^[35].
Which copy: a birth certificate must be a certified copy from the state Bureau of Vital Records; a marriage license, a certified copy from the recorder of deeds of the county of the marriage (or a state statement of marriage); a divorce decree, a certified copy from the circuit clerk ^[35].
Fee: $10 per certification or authentication. One document with several notarizations by the same notary is $10; several documents are $10 each; one document notarized by different notaries is $10 per notary. Checks and money orders go to the Secretary of State's Office; Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover payments add a convenience fee ^[35].
How: mail the original document with the cover letter to Commissions, Secretary of State's Office, 600 West Main, Room 322, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Documents come back by regular mail unless you include a prepaid envelope or air bill. Phone (573) 751-2783 or toll-free (866) 223-6535 ^[35][36]. We didn't find walk-in service or processing times on the page.

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[37]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

Free events: we didn't find a city or county document shredding event on the official pages we checked.
The UPS Store: its Independence page lists shredding ^[14]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

How much is printing at the library in Independence?

At Mid-Continent Public Library branches, 10 cents a page in black and white and 50 cents in color ^[5][6]. At the Kansas City Public Library's Trails West Branch, the first 50 black-and-white pages a day are free ^[12].

Can I fax at the library?

Yes, send only. MCPL fax machines cost $1.75 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional U.S. page, by card only ^[11]. The Kansas City Public Library says national faxes are currently free ^[13].

Where can I get something notarized for free?

At Mid-Continent Public Library's East Independence Branch, by appointment ^[7].

Where can I apply for a passport in Independence?

The locator lists the Kansas City Public Library's Trails West Branch, 11401 E. 23rd St. S. ^[8]. Call 816.701.3483 for an appointment ^[20].

Where do I get a birth certificate in Independence?

From Independence Health and Animal Services on the second floor of Independence Municipal Commons, 20201 E. Jackson Dr., for $15 ^[9].

How much is a marriage license in Jackson County?

$52, applied for in person by both applicants at the Truman Courthouse in Independence ^[10].

Where do I get an apostille?

By mail from the Missouri Secretary of State in Jefferson City: $10 per certification or authentication (statewide) ^[35].

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Oct 30, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Missouri": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st29_mo_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "Locations": mymcpl.org/locations (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Kansas City Public Library, "Trails West Branch": kclibrary.org/locations/trails-west (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "Copy Machine": mymcpl.org/services/copy-machine (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "Mobile Device and Remote Printing": mymcpl.org/services/mobile-device-and-remote-printing (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "Notary Services": mymcpl.org/services/notary-services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Missouri): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
City of Independence, Missouri, "Frequently Asked Questions related to Health": independencemo.gov/government/city-departments/health/frequently-asked-questions-related-health (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Jackson County, Missouri, "Apply for a Marriage License": jacksongov.org/Government/Departments/Recorder-of-Deeds/Apply-for-a-Marriage-License (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "Fax Machine": mymcpl.org/services/fax-machine (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Kansas City Public Library, "Printing": kclibrary.org/services/technology/printing (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Kansas City Public Library, "Technology Services": kclibrary.org/services/technology (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Independence, Missouri": locations.theupsstore.com/mo/independence (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "East Independence": mymcpl.org/locations/east-independence (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Kansas City Public Library, "Notary Services": kclibrary.org/services/notary (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "RSMo 486.685, Fees (notaries)": revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=486.685 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Secretary of State, "Notary Frequently Asked Questions": s1.sos.mo.gov/business/notary/notary_faq (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Kansas City Public Library, "Passport Services": kclibrary.org/services/passport (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Mid-Continent Public Library, "Passport Services": mymcpl.org/services/passport-services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, "Notice of Fees (PDF)": health.mo.gov/sites/health/files/media/pdf/2026/04/fee-information.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, "Order a Copy of a Vital Record": health.mo.gov/vital-records-registries/vital-records/order-copy-vital-record (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, "Application for Missouri Vital Record - Birth/Death (PDF)": health.mo.gov/sites/health/files/media/pdf/2026/04/birthdeath.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, "Consumer Alert - Ordering a Vital Record Online": health.mo.gov/vital-records-registries/vital-records/consumer-alert-ordering-vital-record-online (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Jackson County Public Health, "Birth Certificates": jcph.org/birth-certificates (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Jackson County, Missouri, "Copy Services": jacksongov.org/Government/Departments/Recorder-of-Deeds/Copy-Services (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Jackson County, Missouri, "Recording Fees": jacksongov.org/Government/Departments/Recorder-of-Deeds/Recording-Fees (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "RSMo 451.040, Marriage license required": revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=451.040 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "RSMo 451.151, Additional fee for issuing marriage license or certified copies": revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=451.151 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "RSMo 59.310, Documents for recording, recorder's fee": revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=59.310 (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
16th Judicial Circuit of Missouri, "Department of Civil Records Copy Request Information (PDF)": 16thcircuit.org/Data/Sites/1/media/Civil_Records/Civil_Records_Misc_Forms/copy-request-form-12-2025.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Secretary of State, "Certification, Authentication, & Apostilles": sos.mo.gov/Business/Notary/notary/certify (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
Missouri Secretary of State, "Apostille/Authentication Cover Letter (PDF)": sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/Notary/CoverLetterComplete.pdf (last checked Oct 30, 2026)
USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 30, 2026)

Kansas City, Missouri document errands
St. Louis, Missouri document errands
Columbia, Missouri document errands
Where to get something notarized, and what it costs: banks, credit unions, libraries, AAA, The UPS Store and online notary, plus state fee limits.
US passport application checklist: what to bring, fees, forms and photocopy rules from the State Department.
How to get a certified copy: birth, death, marriage, property and court records from the offices that issue them.
Free notary options
Map of our city guides
All guides