Get your certified Minnesota Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Minnesota birth certificate costs $26 when ordered from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $19 each. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks by mail, with expedited options available for an additional fee.

Ready to order? Start your Minnesota birth certificate application today.

Yes. You can order a Minnesota birth certificate online through the Minnesota Department of Health or through an authorized third-party service. You will need to provide the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names. Online orders follow standard processing times of 2–4 weeks.

Order your Minnesota birth certificate online now.

Minnesota allows eligible individuals such as a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative to request a birth certificate on someone else’s behalf. If you are not the registrant, you may need to provide a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your relationship and purpose for the request. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as proof of legal authority.

Need to request a certificate for a family member? Begin the application process here.

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.

For general information on ordering a birth certificate from any U.S. state, see our birth certificate ordering guide.

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.

Replace your lost certificate today — start your application. You may also need your birth certificate for a REAL ID or passport application.

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.

1. A completed amendment application: Before applying, review the Birth Record Amendment Packet for requirements and guidelines for the change you are requesting. Birth Record Amendment Request form requires a notary.
2. Supporting documentation:
   Acceptable Supporting Documents Include:
   Authenticated U.S. K-12 school record, or official college transcript
   Authenticated hospital, clinic, or social services record
   Valid (unexpired) passport – NOT a notarized photocopy
   Original or certified copy of U.S. military discharge papers
   Certified copy of a marriage certificate
   Certified court orders from a U.S. court that: Show the subject’s name and date of birth as they currently appear on the birth record
   Certified copy of a birth certificate of a child
   Certified copy of a birth certificate of a parent or sibling (only to amend parent information)
   U.S. baptism certificate
3. Appropriate fee(s): A $40.00 processing fee, a $26.00 fee for the first copy of amended birth certificate, and $19.00 for each additional copy.

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:

1. Complete the Apostille Authentication Request Form: Obtain and fill out the Apostille Request Form from the Minnesota Secretary of State's website or office.
2. Gather Required Documents: Collect the original or certified copy of the birth certificate that needs the apostille.
3. Payment of Fees: Include the appropriate fee for processing the apostille - $5.00 per certificate.
4. Include a Return Envelope (Optional): If you need expedited delivery, provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope or pre-paid label for the return of your documents.
5. Submit the Request: Mail or deliver the completed form, fee, and documents to the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.

Mailing Address:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Minnesota birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Minnesota birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Read our detailed guide on long form vs short form birth certificates. Order your Minnesota birth certificate here.

Processing times for a Minnesota birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Minnesota vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Minnesota birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Start your Minnesota birth certificate order today for fast processing.

Minneapolis residents can obtain Minnesota birth certificates through the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records located in St. Paul. The state office processes all Minnesota birth certificate requests regardless of the county of birth.

While Hennepin County does not operate its own vital records office, Minneapolis residents can order birth certificates online, by mail, or by visiting the state office in nearby St. Paul. Online ordering is typically the fastest option.

Order from home — start your Minnesota birth certificate application today. You may also need your birth certificate for a Minnesota REAL ID or passport application.

Minnesota does not offer same-day birth certificate processing through the Office of Vital Records. Walk-in requests at the St. Paul office are processed within a few business days, and mail-in requests typically take 2 to 4 weeks.

If you need your Minnesota birth certificate urgently, third-party services can help expedite the process. While same-day turnaround is not available through the state, expedited processing options can significantly reduce your wait time.

Start your expedited Minnesota birth certificate order today. A certified copy may be required for REAL ID, passport, or Social Security purposes.

St. Paul is home to the Minnesota Office of Vital Records, located on Robert Street. This is the only state office in Minnesota where you can request birth certificates in person. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

As the state capital, St. Paul and Ramsey County residents have the most convenient access for in-person requests. However, even walk-in requests take a few business days to process and are not issued on the spot.

Skip the wait — order your Minnesota birth certificate online from home. Your certified copy can be used for REAL ID and passport applications.