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Learn how to order Tennessee birth certificate from the Texas Department of Health Office of Vital Records (TDH). The processing time is approximately 4 weeks, and in-person requests are processed on the same day. The state fee for certified copies of birth records is $15.00 per certificate. Eligible individuals include the person on record, immediate family members, and authorized representatives.
You can now order s Tennessee birth certificate through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Tennessee Department of Health's (TDH) Office of Vital Records for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the TDH by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Before placing your order, verify the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times to ensure a successful application.
Requesting a Tennessee 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 their identity to the Tennessee Department of Health when requesting certified copies of birth records. Acceptable IDs include a U.S. state-issued driver’s license, a passport, or a U.S. military ID. The table below displays the required information and acceptable documents to order a birth certificate in Tennessee. Proof of identity is mandatory unless your application is signed and notarized.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Driver's License | Pay Stub |
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.
Cost & fees
The total cost of requesting your birth certificate will depend on the TDH's fees and how you submit your application - in person, by mail, or online. The TDH charges a cost of $15.00 for each certified copy. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus the state fee. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering birth certificate.
State Fee |
|---|
$15.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not offered. |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $15.00 |
Processing time
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
Processing Time |
|---|
4- weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not offered. |
Authorization
In Tennessee, birth certificate are confidential for 100 years. Certified birth record copies are available only to the individual named, their spouse, parents, legal guardians, or children. Authorized representatives may request a certificate if they have a signed permission statement, copies of their ID, and a valid ID of the person they represent. If you are requesting a birth certificate on behalf of the person on record, confirm eligibility before placing your order.
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.
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 Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor the progress of your application to the state 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 TDH. Check the state website for specific mailing instructions. Once the TDH sends your certificate to you, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificate.
Need more than a birth certificate? VitalRecordsOnline helps you order every Tennessee vital record through one streamlined application. Whether you're gathering documents for a passport, name change, estate settlement, or family history project, we handle the paperwork, verify everything is complete before submission, and track your order from start to delivery.
Tennessee Marriage Certificate — Required for name changes, spousal benefits, visa applications, divorce filings, and proof of marital status.
Tennessee Death Certificate — Needed for estate settlement, life insurance claims, pension transfers, Social Security notifications, and closing accounts of a deceased loved one.
Tennessee Divorce Certificate — Proves the legal dissolution of a marriage. Required for remarriage in some states, name restoration, and certain immigration or legal matters.
For use abroad, ask about our apostille service — we authenticate Tennessee vital records for international use in Hague Convention countries.
frequently asked questions
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.
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
Ready to order certified copies? Start your Tennessee birth certificate application today.
Learn more about the different types of birth certificates, processing times, and fees in our comprehensive birth certificate resource.
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.
If you lose your 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:
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.
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:
A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee birth certificate here.
Processing times for a Tennessee birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee birth certificate order today for fast processing.
Nashville residents can obtain Tennessee birth certificates through the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records located in Nashville. The central office on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard processes all Tennessee birth certificate requests and accepts walk-in visitors during business hours.
As the state capital, Nashville is home to the main vital records office. Davidson County residents can also contact the Metro Public Health Department for assistance, though online ordering is typically the fastest option.
Order from home — start your Tennessee birth certificate application today. You may also need your birth certificate for a Tennessee REAL ID or passport application.
Tennessee does not offer same-day birth certificate processing through the Office of Vital Records. Walk-in requests at the Nashville office may take several business days, and mail-in requests typically take 4 to 6 weeks to process.
If you need your Tennessee 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 Tennessee birth certificate order today. A certified copy may be required for REAL ID, passport, or Social Security purposes.
Memphis residents can request Tennessee birth certificates through the Shelby County Health Department or directly from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville. The state office processes all Tennessee birth certificate requests regardless of the county of birth.
For Memphis and West Tennessee residents, ordering online is typically the most convenient option, as it eliminates the need to travel to Nashville or rely on mail-in processing.
Skip the wait — order your Tennessee birth certificate online from home. Your certified copy can be used for REAL ID and passport applications.