Vital Records Online is a secure, U.S.-based service for ordering TN vital records electronically. We make it easy to order birth, death, and marriage certificates online, ensuring the safe delivery of your records while keeping your private information confidential.
Summary:
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) is the primary agency of state government in Tennessee responsible for public health, providing services to residents in all 95 counties. An act of the State Legislature authorized the State Board of Health to collect vital statistics, but it was not until 1913 that a Bureau of Vital Statistics was placed under the supervision of the Board.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records reviews, registers, amends, issues, and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occur in Tennessee.
Find out how to obtain official Tennessee vital records, what information they contain, where to request them, and how they’re used.
Start Your Application Online for TN Vital Records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Obtain marriage records for yourself or a family member.
Get an original copy of a death certificate replacement for a lost record.
Vital records are significant in various life events, such as marriage, school or military enrollment, and travel, as they prove one’s identity, citizenship, and family ties. Tennessee vital records can also be valuable for settling legal disputes or claiming an inheritance, tracing family history, and revealing important details about our ancestors, such as their full names, birth and death dates, and locations.
In the event of a lost or misplaced birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate, it’s critical to file a police report and request a certified replacement urgently. You can find more helpful information about vital records in the frequently asked questions section for birth, death, and marriage certificates.
In Tennessee, vital records are preserved and distributed at the county and state levels. Each county is responsible for certifying and issuing Tennessee vital records that occur within its jurisdiction. For example, if you need vital records in Nashville, TN, you would go through the Nashville issuing agency. You can check this comprehensive list of Tennessee’s county vital record issuing agencies, which includes locations, contact information, and online applications to request birth, marriage, and death certificates.
You can obtain your birth, marriage, or death certificate in Tennessee through your county or state. The procedure varies by county, as only some locations offer in-person applications. However, all TN vital records can be ordered online from any location through Vital Records Online.
❗️If you’re seeking ancestral records for genealogy research in Tennessee, they’re freely available from various public archives.
Vital records can be ordered online, in person, or by mail. The state Health Department offers walk-ins and can issue Tennessee vital records registered statewide from all county health departments. However, ordering vital records online is the most reliable and easy method.
The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records is responsible for producing and certifying birth, death, and marriage certificates. Each type of TN vital record has unique requirements, so reviewing the steps and conditions before submitting your application is essential. Once you understand the requirements, ordering your certificate becomes a straightforward process.
The associated costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times for receiving your certificate depend on the certificate you need and how you submit your Tennessee vital records application. Confirm that your documents, application, and fees are sent to the correct office that produces certified copies of the original record.
Ordering vital records online is quick and easy and involves three simple steps:
Choose additional options if you need to insure, expedite, or obtain premium customer support for your application.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can order Tennessee birth, death, or marriage certificates online. Ensure you have all the necessary documents prepared beforehand, as you’ll need to upload copies during the secure online application for Tennessee vital records.
Our simplified system ensures a quick and successful certificate request by helping generate your required documents, providing the correct application, and submitting your packet to the Health Department’s Vital Records Office, which issues the certified TN vital records.
The application process can be completed from any device with an internet connection within five minutes. We also help to prevent application rejections by ensuring that your application is free of common mistakes or missing documents. If your application requires a notary, it can be conducted virtually during the online ordering process for your Tennessee vital records.
✔︎ Our $29 processing fee includes your automated document processing and first-class shipping & handling.
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.
✔︎ Vital Records Online’s support team manages scanning and printing your application and documents. Learn more about how the online ordering and handling process works.
✔︎ A notarized sworn statement is not required when ordering a Tennessee birth, death, or marriage certificate online, as long as you can provide a valid copy of a form of identification accepted by the TDH.
Applying in person is a viable option for individuals who live near a vital records-issuing Health Department. Before traveling to the Health Department, confirm that the office is open to the public for walk-ins. Ordering via mail or online is a more efficient method than applying in person, particularly if the local TN vital records office is closed or you prefer to avoid long queues. Those residing out of state can apply by mail or online; however, online ordering is the most convenient method for those living abroad.
The procedure is similar whether you apply for Tennessee vital records in person or by mail.
If you choose to apply in person, be prepared to complete the following steps:
Additionally, when ordering by mail, you’ll need to do the following:
Each type of vital record in TN has unique requirements. Vital Records Online simplifies the process and reduces errors for faster processing times. Learn more about our services for replacing Tennessee vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificates for you or a family member.
❗️ To avoid your application being denied due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the requirements for each vital record before mailing it.
❗️ Ensure that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the preserved original TN vital records.
❗️ Before receiving approval, confirm if you must also have your documents and application notarized with a sworn statement for identity verification.
❗️ If you mail your application and documents manually, it’s recommended to purchase mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.
Understanding the terms and prerequisites before collecting the documents for your vital record application is fundamental.
The required information, IDs, and documents for ordering certified copies of Tennessee birth, death, and marriage certificates are listed in the table below. The Tennessee Department of Health requires all applicants to prove their identity when requesting certified vital record certificates. For most types of records, a driver’s license, a passport, or a state-issued photo ID is sufficient, though checking other acceptable IDs as per certificate needed is recommended.
If your ID is expired or you don’t have it, you must submit two secondary forms of identification accepted by the TDH. Alternatively, you can sign your Tennessee vital records application at a public notary. This notarization will suffice as proof of identity, so providing primary or two secondary IDs is unnecessary if you notarize your application.
Review the eligibility conditions and requirements for obtaining certified replacement certificates for Tennessee birth, death, and marriage records, as each type of certificate and unique circumstance has specific criteria.
❗️ Without proper ID and a fully completed application, your request will be returned, causing considerable delays in processing your order for Tennessee vital records.
What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Tennessee?
When applying for a vital record in Tennessee, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.
Certificate Required Information
Birth Certificate
Date of Birth, Email, Father's Name, Full Name of Person of Record, Hospital of Birth, Mailing Address, Mother's Maiden Name, Phone Number, Place of Birth, Purpose for the Certificate, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature
Death Certificate
Age at Death, Date of Death, Email, Full Name of Person of Record, Funeral Home Address, Funeral Home Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, Place of Death, Purpose for the Certificate, Sex, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature
Marriage Certificate
Bride Name, Bride's Name Before Marriage, Date of Marriage, Email, Groom Name, Groom Name Before Marriage, Mailing Address, Phone Number, Place of Marriage, Place where License Was Issued, Purpose for the Certificate, Your Name, Your Relationship to the Person of Record, Your Signature
Divorce Certificate
Not Restricted
The individual on record can request their own vital record in TN and must provide proof of identity with the application or when obtaining a notarization for their application. If someone else requests Tennessee vital records on their behalf, they can ensure that they’re authorized by reviewing the eligibility requirements. In Tennessee, only the spouse, parents, legal guardian, or children of the individual on record are authorized to request certified copies of a certificate.
However, if your relationship with the person on record doesn’t qualify you as an eligible individual, it’s still possible to obtain the certificate. Ineligible applicants must provide a signed statement from the record holder or an authorized individual, giving the TDH permission to release the certificate. Photocopies of government-issued IDs of the ineligible third-party applicant and the authorized individual (or the person on record) must be included to obtain Tennessee vital records.
| Certificate | Authorized People |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Self, Parent, Child, Spouse, Legal Guardian |
| Death Certificate | Parent, Child, Spouse, Legal Guardian |
| Marriage Certificate | Self, Parent, Child, Spouse, Legal Guardian |
| Divorce Certificate | Self, Parent, Child, Spouse, Legal Guardian |
The Tennessee Department of Health generally doesn’t require applicants to obtain notarized statements when requesting certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates, regardless of who is applying and which method they use to make their request. However, you must notarize your application to verify your identity if you cannot provide a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID or two forms of acceptable secondary identification. An online notary is included with your order when ordering Tennessee vital records through Vital Records Online — otherwise, you must bring your ID if you use a public notary,
❗️ A notarized sworn statement may be required under the following circumstances:
For more information about the unique circumstance that may require a notary, view other FAQs below or visit the Tennessee Office of Vital Records website at https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records.html.
❗️ A notary is generally not required to obtain authorized copies of Tennessee vital records. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity. However, a notarized application can be used instead of an ID if you sign your application before a notary; you do not need to provide a photocopy of your ID.
✔︎ VRO includes an online notary service in your application packet. Otherwise, you must bring your ID when creating this document using a local public notary.
✔︎ A notarized sworn statement is not required when requesting informational verification copies of Tennessee vital records.
The cost of obtaining certified Tennessee vital records from the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) depends on the fees for each type of certificate. The total cost will also be affected by the method you submit your application and whether a notary is required to prove your identity.
When ordering a birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificate through Vital Records Online, the online Application Filing Service starts at $29. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records charges a fee of $15.00 for each certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate. If the requested TN vital records cannot be located, you will receive a letter certifying that no record was found. The fee for a “no record found” is the same as for a certified copy of Tennessee vital records.
| Certificate | First Copy Fee | Additional Copy Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Death Certificate | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Divorce Certificate | $16.00 | $15.00 |
✔︎ Additional copies can be requested during the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.
Vital Records Online processing fee is $29.
Check the table below for the current processing time, as processing and delivery times for birth, death, or marriage certificates may vary. Be aware that processing times for Tennessee vital records may change based on the volume of requests received by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
The method you use to submit your application may also impact the total time until you receive your vital record. We simplify the process of gathering documents and submitting your application packet, and we offer expedited orders for faster processing so you can receive your certificates promptly. When ordering TN vital records through us, online notarization can be included during checkout — otherwise, account for additional time to obtain it from a local entity.
| Certificate | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Death Certificate | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Marriage Certificate | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Divorce Certificate | 6 to 8 weeks |
✔︎ All Tennessee vital records orders through Vital Records Online include an online notarization service that can be performed virtually during checkout if required.
❗️ The processing and replacement duration of birth, death, or marriage certificates by the TDH may increase based on a high volume backlog of orders.
❗️ We also advise allowing 2-3 additional days in your application process when using a local notary.
❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.
When ordering through Vital Records Online, you can monitor the order status and track its location after submitting your application with the first-class mail tracking included with your Tennessee vital records order. If you mail your application packet to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records manually, be sure to purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm your application’s successful delivery.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records ships all vital records securely via USPS first-class mail, but they’re not responsible for any misplaced or lost certificates. If your birth certificate is lost, report it immediately. Avoiding simple errors or typos in your application reduces the potential of your personal information being sent to the wrong address.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Tennessee counties office locations directory.
An apostille may be required when requesting Tennessee vital records. It’s a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document and is often required when submitting a vital record to a foreign government. The Tennessee Secretary of State issues apostilles for TN vital records initially filed with the TDH.
Apostilles can be acquired through the Tennessee Secretary of State or Vital Records Online. We offer reliable, professionally assisted services for obtaining apostilles for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates across all 50 states. We’re acknowledged by various governments with legal validity in over 100 countries.
If you need an apostille to get your Tennessee vital records, the service starts at $149 (plus government fees) and can be conveniently completed online in just three steps:
In most cases, you don’t need to obtain a hard copy of your documents, as the whole procedure can be completed online. Once the apostille documentation is ready, we’ll send it to you via FedEx or DHL. Our esteemed courier services provide reliable, worldwide delivery to ensure that your documents arrive at your doorstep, regardless of your location.
You’ll need to provide the following information:
You can submit requests for Tennessee vital records apostilles to the Tennessee Secretary of State at the following address:
For standard or express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:
Office of Authentications Tennessee Secretary of State,
Business Services Division,
ATTN: ATS,
Section 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave – 6th Floor,
Nashville, TN 37243
You can reach the office at (615) 741-0536 or online at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/apostille-and-exemplified-copies.html.
Tennessee Department of Health has provided a list of common scenarios to facilitate correcting or amending Tennessee vital records. Requirements and specific forms depend on the certificate type and the information that must be corrected. In Tennessee, some amendments require a court order, which often necessitates hiring an attorney.
No entity can alter the original document; any supplemental changes become addendums to the original vital record.
Correcting or amending vital records generally requires the following information:
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Many vital records in TN are public. However, access to birth, death, and marriage records depends on the type of record and the year it was recorded. Third-party websites can be helpful for researching Tennessee vital records. These sites aren’t restricted by location and can provide a good reference point, but be mindful that the data on these sites may not coincide with official government records.
To find a record on a third-party website, you will generally need the following information:
In Tennessee, birth records are made public after 100 years, while death and marriage records are available after 50 years. Although finding free public records can be difficult, many Tennessee vital records are publicly accessible. You can browse Tennessee’s archives of birth, marriage, and divorce records; however, it may take considerable time to find the information you want.
Each Tennessee county and municipality creates distinct vital records. You can compare your copy to the official certified vital record in the county that issued yours to confirm its authenticity. Informational copies typically display a stamp or large print that reads “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” or something similar.
Authorized Copy:
Authorized copies are certified legal documents that can be used to establish identity, while informational copies are not certified and cannot be used for official identification. Only individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” in a vital record can obtain certified copies.
Informational Copy:
Informational copies of vital records, often called “short-form, unofficial (non-certified), “heirloom,” or “commemorative certificates,” aren’t considered legal documents in Tennessee. They’re not intended for official purposes such as identity verification, passport application, or applying for benefits. These copies are usually used for personal reference/display or genealogical research purposes only.
The Tennessee Department of Health doesn’t issue non-certified copies of Tennessee vital records; however, they can provide “verifications of a record,” which consist of a list of verified facts from the record. Proof of ID or a notarized statement isn’t required to obtain verification, but you must be able to provide the information requested in the application.
Find more references regarding TN vital records in the resources section.
Visit the official Tennessee government website at https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records.html
