How to obtain a birth or death certificate or non-certified copy of a record

A birth or death certificate or record may be obtained by mail or fax from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or in person from a local registrar office.

You may also request a birth or death certificate or non-certified copy of a record via the Internet or fax by using US Certs (an independent business) to take your information and submit your application to the Office of the State Registrar.

If you were not born in Minnesota, see the National Center for Health Statistics Web site for more information about ordering a birth certificate from another state.

Click on the links below for instructions and an application to be mailed or faxed to MDH.

Certified birth certificate
Non-certified copy of a birth record (for information only--not accepted for legal purposes)

Certified death certificate
Non-certified copy of a death record (for information only--not accepted for legal purposes)

For more information, e-mail MDH at health.osr1@state.mn.us or call 651-201-5970.

In Person

Since MDH no longer handles in-person requests, you must go to a local registrar office to obtain a birth or death certificate or non-certified copy of a birth or death record in person. It is no longer necessary to go to the registrar's office of the county where the birth or death took place. You may go to a registrar's office in any county in Minnesota for births that took place during or after 1900 and for deaths that took place during or after 1997.

For deaths that took place before 1997, order by mail or fax from MDH or go to the local registrar office in the county where the death took place.

For births that took place before 1900, go to the local registrar office in the county where the birth took place.

If you go to a local registrar office to request the certificate, you will be asked to complete and sign an application stating that you have tangible interest in the certificate. You will be asked to show identification.

If you do not have identification, according to Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600, subpart 6, you may have a witness attest to your identity.

Non-certified copies of birth and death records do not require demonstration of tangible interest.

Find a local registrar office near you
Learn about tangible interest