Get Certified Copy of Birth Certificate

Records Management (Vital Records) issues certified copies of birth and death certificates.

Process for Issuance

• Complete an application requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate.
• Provide valid proof of identification.
• Pay required fee.
• Document is issued while you wait, or it will be mailed to the requestor.
• Standard sized birth certificates are issued on state security paper from the MPHD’s Records Management Division (Vital Records).
• The documents are certified copies of the original certificate filed with the State of Tennessee Office of Vital Records at the time of birth and it includes the State’s seal.
• Certificates issued from our office are available for births that occurred only in the State of Tennessee.
• Birth certificates can be issued going back 100 years.
• Any birth occurring over 100 years, we cannot issue that certificate and the requestor must go to the Tennessee Archives.
• Upon meeting all eligibility criteria, completing the application process, and making payment, the certificate is issued either in person while you wait, or mailed back to the requestor.
• On-line purchases can be made directly through the State of Tennessee at: www.VitalChek.com.
• All amendments are processed through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Our office does not make any changes and can only issue what is already in the system.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Must be a Tennessee birth.
2. Must complete an application to request a certified copy.
3. Certified copies can be issued to the registrant themselves (this means the person named on the certificate), spouse, children, parents, legal guardian, or the authorized representative. The requestor must provide valid proof.
4. Others, who demonstrate a need for the protection of their personal or property rights can also obtain a certified copy. The requestor must provide valid proof.

Identification Requirements

Must provide valid ID (one item from the following list):

• Current driver’s license, including (photo, the issue and expiration date)
• Current passport
• Military I.D. card
• Alien, temporary or permanent resident card
• Employment authorization card including (photo must appear on card)
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship or Citizen I.D. card

If requestor doesn’t have any of the above form of ID, they must provide (two items from the following list):

• Current paystub or W-2
• Vehicle registration with name and current address
• Voter registration card
• Military Discharge (DD214)
• Utility bill, Bank statement, or deposit slip with name and address pre-printed.
• Health care coverage card
• Medical record/ birth certificate

If the person picking up the form is not the one requesting the birth certificate, then a separate letter authorizing pick up is required along with copy of that person's valid ID.

Fees

• Cost for a standard certified copy of birth certificate is $15.00 (unless amended via a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity)
• Each additional copy of a certificate is $15.00.
• Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAoP) is $5.00.
• If VAoP is attached to the birth record, they must be issued together.
• All birth certificates that have a VAoP attached are $20.00.
• Acceptable forms of payment include (cash, check, money order, credit/ debit card).
• All checks and money orders must be made payable to the Metro Public Health Department

Forms

• Download the Application for True Copy of Certificate of Birth in Adobe Acrobat format.
• Download the Home Birth Application in Adobe Acrobat format.

Get Copies in Person and Mail-ins

Applications for birth certificates are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except all Metro Holidays at the Lentz Public Health building, Office of Vital Records.

To apply for birth certificates please print a copy of the application form and mail it to Vital Records.

Questions?

Call 615-340-5611 for more information about Birth Certificates.