Minnesota - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

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Procedure

In Person

• You may request a birth certificate in person - same day service - from any local issuance office in any county in Minnesota for births that took place during or after 1935 and for deaths that took place during or before 1997.
• For births that took place before 1900, go to the local issuance office in the county where the birth took place.
• If you go to a local issuance office to request the certificate, you will be asked to complete and sign an application stating that you have tangible interest in the certificate. You will be asked to show identification.
• If you do not have identification, according to Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600, subpart 6, you may have a witness attest to your identity.
• Non-certified copies of birth records do not require demonstration of tangible interest.

By Mail

You may request a birth certificate either by mail or by fax from the Office of the State Registrar.
Mail the complete application with required payment (check or money order) to
Minnesota Department of Health,
Central Cashiering - Vital Records,
P.O. Box 64499,
St. Paul, MN 55164-0499

By Fax

Fax the complete application to 651-201-5740

Apply Online (VitalChek)

• You may request a birth certificate through online (VitalChek) from local issuance office in any county in Minnesota for births that took place.
• It's the easiest and most efficient method for ordering official birth certificates and other vital records because there is less room for error when you enter the information yourself. Our simple forms have built-in editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
• VitalChek is an official service, authorized by Minnesota Recorder, to securely order certified Minnesota vital records, like birth certificates. Other online services may not be authorized by Minnesota Recorder, and may charge additional fees without providing approved services or guaranteeing confidentiality of your data.
• As a government-approved organization for 25 years, VitalChek safely delivers millions of vital records every year and is Americas No.1 resource for ordering certified vital records across the nation. VitalChek makes purchasing your familys most important documents, such as Minnesota birth certificates, simple, fast and secure:
  • Simple step-by-step ordering with easy to use editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
  • Fast online ordering, processing & delivery options to help get your certificate as quickly as possible.
  • Secure ordering processes that are designed to help protect your identity online.
• VitalChek offers the convenience of ordering Minnesota birth certificates for yourself or your family from the privacy of your home or office, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with no hidden fees or unexplained charges. No traffic, no standing in line, no parking, no hassles.

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Required Documents

• Driver's License
• State Identification Card
• Passport or Military Identification Card
• Valid Photo ID Card

Office Locations & Contacts

In Person

Any local issuance office in the state

By Mail

Minnesota Department of Health,
Central Cashiering - Vital Records,
P.O. Box 64499,
St. Paul, MN 55164-0499
Fax: 651-201-5740

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Aitkin County : 209 2nd Street NW Aitkin, MN 56431-1297
Phone: 218-927-7336 Website

Anoka County : 325 East Main Street, Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: 763-422-7399 Website

Becker County : 931 Lake Ave Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
Phone: 218-846-7304 Website

Beltrami County : 619 Beltrami Ave NW Bemidji, MN 56601-3041
Phone: 218.759.4174 Website

Benton County : 531 Dewey Street P.O. Box 129 Foley, MN 56329
Phone: 320-968-5037 Website

Big Stone County : 20 SE 2nd Street Ortonville, MN 56278-1544
Phone: 320.839.2308 Website

Blue Earth County : 410 South 5th Street Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-304-4000 / 507.389.8343 Website

Brown County : 14 South State Street New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: 507-233-6600 (Administration Department) / Phone: 507-233-6657 Website

Carlton County : 301 Walnut Avenue Carlton, MN 55718
Phone: 218-384-4281 / 218-384-9195 Website

Carver County : 600 East 4th Street Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: 952-361-1500 / 612-361-1930 Website

Cass County : 303 Minnesota Avenue West P.O. Box 3000 Walker, MN 56484
Phone: 218-547-7260 / 218-547-7247 Website

Chippewa County : 629 North 11th Street Montevideo, MN 56265
Phone: 320-269-7774 (Administrator) / 320-269-9431 Website

Chisago County : 313 North Main Street Center City, MN 55012
Phone: 651-257-1300 / 612-213-0438 Website

Clay County : 807 11th Street North Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: 218-299-5002 (Administration) / 218-299-5031 Website

Clearwater County : 213 Main Avenue North Bagley, MN 56621
Phone: 218-694-6520 / 218-694-6129 Website

Cook County : 411 West 2nd Street Grand Marais, MN 55604
Phone: 218-387-3610 (Administration) / 218-387-3000 Website

Cottonwood County : 900 3rd Avenue Windom, MN 56101
Phone: 507-831-5669 / 507-831-1458 Website

Crow Wing County : 326 Laurel Street Brainerd, MN 56401
Phone: 218-824-1067 / 218-824-1300 Website

Dakota County : 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: 651-438-4313 Website

Dodge County : 22 East 6th Street Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: 507-635-6239 / 507-635-6250 Website

Douglas County : 305 Eighth Avenue West Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-3033 (Court Administration) / Phone: 320-762-3877 Website

Faribault County : 415 North Main Street Blue Earth, MN 56013
Phone: 507-526-6225 / 507-526-6252 Website

Fillmore County : 101 Fillmore Street Preston, MN 55965
Phone: 507-765-3356 (Court Administration) / Phone: 507-765-4701 Website

Freeborn County : 411 S Broadway Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007
Phone: 507.377.5153 [http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/default.aspx Webs

Eligibility

You may order copies of Minnesota birth certificates for yourself or for an immediate family member

Fees

• Certified copy: $26.00
• Additional copy: $19.00 each

Online (VitalChek)

• Certified copy: $26.00
• Additional copy: $19.00 each

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

By Mail/Fax

4-6 weeks

Instructions

• The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) maintains birth records from 1900 for the entire state of Minnesota.
• For birth records prior to 1900, or for events that occurred less than three months ago, please contact the county office where the event occurred.
• You must have tangible interest to get a birth certificate.
• Certificates for confidential birth records are available only to certain people. Even if you have tangible interest, you may not be able to get a birth certificate for a confidential record.
• If no birth record can be found, you will receive a certified "Statement of No Birth Record Found."
• According to Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226, the fee for a birth certificate or certified statement of no record found is non-refundable.
• For customer security, fees are collected upon receipt and credit card numbers are redacted.
• You may order the certified birth certificates through mail, online, fax and in person
• You must provide your full name, date of birth, and mailing address or your application will be rejected.
• The application must be signed and dated in front of a notary public.
• If the notary public uses a raised seal and you want to fax your application, make sure the seal is shaded with a pencil so it can be read on the faxed copy.
• Make sure all boxes are complete. Write "unknown" or "none" as needed.
• If you fax your application, do not fax it more than once. Each faxed application will be processed as a separate request.
• Pay the check or money order payable to "Minnesota Department of Health"

Required Information

• Full name at birth
• The date of birth
• The place of birth
• Gender
• The mother's maiden name
• The father's name
• Name and address of the applicant
• Daytime phone number
• Reason for requesting the certificate
• Relationship to the person named on the Certificate
• Application must be signed in front of a notary if applying by mail or fax
• If paying by credit card (MasterCard/VISA/Discover)
  • Name on card
  • Card number
  • 3 digit security code on back of card
  • Expiration date
• If paying by check or money order then provide Check/money order number

Need for the Document

You may need a birth certificate when enrolling in school, applying for a social security card or for certain legal proceedings. This can prove frustrating when you do not have a copy immediately on hand. If you want to obtain your birth certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your birth certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.