Birth certificates

To obtain a certified copy of a Minnesota birth certificate:

For Minnesota births from 1900 to present:

You may purchase a Minnesota birth certificate from any Minnesota county vital records office or from the state vital records office.

For Minnesota births before 1900:

Please 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.

To 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.

To obtain a non-certified copy of a birth certificate:

• Complete the Noncertified Birth Record Transcript Application
• Include it and a $13 check payable to:
  Rice County Recorder
  320 NW Third Street
  Faribault, MN 55021