Birth certificates

To obtain a certified copy of a Minnesota birth certificate:

Minnesota births from 1900 to present
Minnesota birth certificates may be purchased from any Minnesota county vital records office or from the state vital records office.

For Minnesota births before 1900
Make your request to the county in which the birth occurred or the state vital records office.

To obtain a certified copy in person

  • Appear in person at the Vital Statistics Department nearest you in the state of Minnesota.
  • When you arrive you will need to complete a Birth Certificate Application certifying your right to the copy, and present valid photo identification such as your driver's license.
  • The cost for a certified copy is $26.
  • See the eligibility website for other persons that are eligible to obtain your birth certificate by appearing in person with valid photo identification.

Obtain a certified copy by mail

  • Complete a Birth Certificate Application and sign the form in front of a notary public. You will need to show the notary public a valid photo identification such as a driver's license.
  • Include a $26 check made payable to the Rice County Recorder's Office
  • Send the completed tangible interest form and correct fee to:
    Rice County Recorder
    320 NW Third Street
    Faribault, MN 55021

Birth certificate requests are processed within one to two business days of receipt.

Obtain a non-certified copy of a birth certificate

To obtain a homeless youth birth certificate
A Homeless Youth Birth Certificate is an official legal document. It expires six months from the date issued. A homeless youth 24 or younger and born in Minnesota may request this certificate at no cost from any Minnesota vital records office.

The youth must follow the instructions and complete the application found on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website: Youth Experiencing Homelessness Birth Certificate.

Find more information: Birth certificate for homeless youth fact sheet.