Get your certified Tennessee Birth Certificate

How to Get a Tennessee Birth Certificate Without ID

If you cannot provide a copy of your valid primary ID, you can submit two forms of secondary identification to the TDH Office of Vital Records, such as a bank statement, pay stub, social security card, utility bill, or vehicle registration. You can sign and notarize your application instead of submitting your ID, but you must provide proof of identity to the notary public. Alternatively, you can have an authorized third party, such as your parent, child, or spouse, request on your behalf.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Tennessee?

Online and mail orders take approximately 4-6 weeks, while in-person requests can be processed the same day. The total time to receive a Tennessee birth certificate replacement varies depending on the submission method and the current wait times set by the TDH. Rush processing may be available through TDH’s website. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

In most cases, you do not need to notarize your application for a Tennessee birth certificate. However, a notarized application is required if you are unable to submit a valid primary ID (or two accepted secondary forms of identification) with your application. If you are ordering the certificate on behalf of someone else or if additional documentation is required, notarization may be necessary.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Tennessee Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  Individuals not born in Tennessee do not have a birth certificate on record with the state of Tennessee. If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth is recorded with the U.S. Department of State. Therefore, you do not have a birth certificate on record with the state of Tennessee.

  You must request a Consular Report of a Birth Abroad (CRBA) or Form FS-240 from the U.S. Department of State.

  The CRBA is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate as proof of birth and U.S. citizenship and is accepted for legal purposes like passport applications and accessing social services.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Tennessee Birth Certificate?

  

  Certified copies of your birth certificate are government-issued records vital for life's most notable events. They are proof of your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names. These documents are essential for establishing your identity and citizenship and are widely accepted by government and commercial entities. Certified copies of your birth certificate are often required for 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

• What Does a Tennessee Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Official birth certificates issued by the TDH exhibit distinct features to ensure authenticity. They may have variations in appearance based on the date of issue. Still, they will adhere to state guidelines, such as displaying the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature, and issuing on secure paper to avoid counterfeiting. Note that official (long-form) birth certificates serve legal purposes and are distinguishable from informational (short-form) copies intended for personal or commemorative use.

  • 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.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Tennessee Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the TDH (Tennessee Department of Health).
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the TDH Office of Vital Records or a county health department during hours of operation.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the TDH at:
     Tennessee Vital Records
     1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower 710 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The TDH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a South Dakota Birth Certificate

  

  The process for correcting or amending a Tennessee birth certificate can vary depending on the nature of the changes requested. An addendum is used to make corrections or alterations to the birth certificate, while the original record remains unaltered.

  Typically, amendments to Tennessee birth certificates will require:

  1. A completed amendment application: A signed and notarized affidavit showing the full name, date of birth, the information displayed on the certificate, and the corrected data as it should be listed.
  2. Supporting documentation: A copy of the parent’s birth certificate supporting the amendment request.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): A check or money order for the required amendment fee of $15.00 (required) and $15.00 for a copy of the corrected certificate (optional).

  A court order is required for name changes, adoptions, adding the father’s name, or if the record has previously been amended. Contact TDH if you have questions regarding your amendment request.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Tennessee Birth Certificate

  

  You can obtain an apostille by applying directly to the Tennessee Secretary of State or using VRO’s Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are explicitly issued by the Tennessee Secretary of State when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention. filed with ADHS-BVR.

  If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, complete the following steps:

  1. Obtain a Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate: Ensure you have a recent, certified Tennessee birth certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health within the past two years.
  2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website to download and complete the Apostille Request Form.
  3. Gather Required Documentation: Submit the Certified Copy of the birth certificate and the completed Apostille Request Form.
  4. Pay The Specified Fee: Include a check or money order for the required fee, $2.00 per document, payable to Tennessee Secretary of State.
  5. Submit the Apostille Request: Include the completed form, certified birth certificate, and payment for the apostille fee (check or money order made payable to the Tennessee Secretary of State). Submit your request by mail or in-person to the following address: