Introduction to Minnesota Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Minnesota birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Minnesota Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Minnesota state law, Minnesota birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate
• Someone that has documentation that the record is necessary for the determination or protection of personal or property rights.
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Minnesota Birth Certificate

Minnesota Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Non-certified copies of Minnesota birth certificates do not require demonstration of tangible interest. These birth certificates are used for genealogy purposes.

Minnesota Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Minnesota Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Minnesota Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Minnesota Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Minnesota Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Minnesota birth certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Minnesota birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Minnesota birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Minnesota birth certificate
• Sex on the Minnesota birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Minnesota birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Minnesota birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Minnesota birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Minnesota birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Minnesota birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Minnesota Department of Health

Attention: Office of the State Registrar/ Birth Certificates

P.O. Box 64499

St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0499

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Minnesota: You may go to any county health department in the State of Minnesota to obtain a certified copy of a Minnesota birth certificate. Most Minnesota birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Minnesota Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Minnesota birth certificate is $16.00, which includes one certified copy of the Minnesota birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Minnesota birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $9.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Minnesota Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.