Get your certified Minnesota Birth Certificate
Order your government-issued Minnesota birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Minnesota Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order your government-issued Minnesota birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Minnesota Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order with confidence
Learn how to order Minnesota Birth Certificates from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The current processing time is 30 business days. The state fee for a certified copy is $26.00, with additional copies costing $19.00 each. You can expedite the processing for a fee of $20.00. Authorized individuals for ordering include the person on record, family members, health care agents, legal representatives, and other eligible third parties with a legal interest in the record.
You can now order Minnesota birth certificates through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificates. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person from certain county offices, or by mail through the MDH by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Regardless of the method you use, confirming costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times is essential to ensure a smooth ordering experience.
Requesting a Minnesota birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
Applicants must provide proof of identity to the Minnesota Department of Health when requesting certified copies of birth records. The table below displays the information and documents required to order a birth certificate in Minnesota:
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
---|---|
Notarized Signature | Statement of Identity Form: A witness who has known the requester for at least two years may confirm the requester's identity. |
Though you do not need to submit a photocopy of your ID when requesting certificates from the MDH, you must present your ID when you sign your application in front of a notary. If you do not have a valid government-issued photo ID, you can ask a witness to complete the Statement to Identify (PDF) form to swear to your identity before the notary. Alternatively, authorized third parties can make requests on your behalf.
Cost & fees
The costs and fees associated with replacing a birth certificate in Minnesota vary based on the method of application submission (in person, by mail, or online). The MDH charges a $26.00 fee for a certified copy and a fee of $19.00 for each additional copy. Rush processing and express delivery is available for an additional fee. See the table below. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering birth certificates.
Homeless and Veterans:
Homeless people who are 24 years old or younger and born in the state can get a birth certificate free of charge. The certificate is valid for six months from the issue date. Veteran’s Affairs (VA) birth certificates (for VA purposes only) are free of charge.
State Fee |
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$26.00 |
Rush Processing |
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$46.00 |
Additional Copy |
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1 x $19.00 |
Processing time
Processing and replacement times for Minnesota birth certificates may vary. Refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing times. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
---|
2 - 3 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
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5 - 10 days |
Authorization
The person on record and authorized individuals can order certified copies of their Minnesota birth certificate with proof of identity. If you request a certified copy on behalf of the person on record, it's crucial to confirm eligibility before applying. The birth records of children born to unmarried parents may have additional restrictions.
“Public” birth records are available to individuals who meet any of the legal requirements:
“Confidential” birth records are available only under the conditions, or to the following:
You must notarize your application to verify your identity when submitting your application by mail or online. However, you do not need to notarize your application for Minnesota birth certificate replacements when requesting in person at the county office.
Tracking
When you place your order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Minnesota Department of Health -Office of Vital Records (MDH-OVR) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the health department.
If you manually mail your birth certificate request, purchasing first-class mail with tracking is recommended to know when your application is delivered to the MDH-OVR.
The MDH-OVR does not provide tracking for certificate delivery. To monitor the status of your vital records, it's advisable to choose express delivery during the application process. This option includes tracking for secure and prompt delivery. Once your certificate is mailed from the MDH-OVR, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
Those born on a U.S. military base overseas will not have a Minnesota birth certificate on record with the state; their birth was recorded by the U.S. Department of State. In such cases, requesting a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is required, which serves as evidence of U.S. citizenship and is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate. This document can be used for various purposes, such as proof of birth and citizenship, passport applications, and social services. For further details on obtaining a CRBA, contact the U.S. Department of State or visit their website for Form FS-240.
When additional copies of the CRBA or equivalent documentation are needed, individuals can contact the birth hospital or order them from the Department of State. Access to these records is crucial for various official transactions and applications. Please visit the Department of State's official website for more information on this process, refer to their guidelines, or contact their offices directly for assistance.
Birth certificates are necessary documents for life's most meaningful affairs. They prove your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names, which is crucial for identity and citizenship. Government and commercial entities widely accept certified copies of birth certificates for various purposes, such as legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
Birth certificates are often useful or required for:
Applying for a driver's license
Applying for a new passport
Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card
Applying for Social Security benefits
Claiming pension or insurance benefits
Genealogy research
Claiming family inheritance
Applying for a new job
Enrolling in school
Enlisting in military
Obtaining a marriage license
Official birth certificates issued by the MDH have unique features to verify authenticity. The appearance of the certificates may vary by year of issue, and they contain essential details such as identity and citizenship. Long-form certificates are used for legal purposes and differ from short-form certificates. State guidelines may include distinct colors and layouts, with standard features displayed, including the state seal, individual's name, registrar's signature, and secure paper.
• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.
• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.
• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.
• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.
In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:
• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.
• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.
If you lose your birth certificate:
1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the MDH (Minnesota Department of Health).
a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The MDH does not accept walk-ins at their location.
b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the MDH at:
Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records
PO Box 64499 St. Paul, MN 55164-0499
Courier/express delivery: 625 Robert St. N, St. Paul, MN 55155
c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The MDH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.
The amendment process for a birth certificate can vary depending on the specific alterations required. In some cases, an addendum is created to address these changes. The original record remains unchanged and unaltered during this process. The addendum serves as a supplementary document to reflect the necessary corrections or updates without modifying the existing information on the original birth certificate. Minnesota amendments require a completed application, a $40.00 fee, and supporting documents.
Apostilles for Minnesota birth certificates can be ordered directly through the Secretary of State or online through VRO's Express Apostille Service. Only the Minnesota Secretary of State issues Apostilles, often required when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, follow these steps:
Mailing Address: