Minnesota Vital Records Search

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What are Minnesota Vital Records?

The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of all vital records for the state. Those vital records consist of birth, adoption, death, marriage, and divorce records. That agency is also in charge of health and wellness statistics for Minnesota residents. Minnesota started keeping vital records in the early 1900s. Some vital records in Minnesota are kept confidential, and some are public from the start. The Office of Vital Records allows people to request copies of vital records via fax, through the mail or in person at the local county vital records office.

Minnesota Birth Records

The state of Minnesota began keeping birth records in 1900. Birth records are kept at all Minnesota local county vital records offices and also the state Office of Vital Records. Birth records of people born to married parents are "public records." Birth records of single mothers remain "confidential" unless the mother chooses to make the record public after the baby is born. Therefore, when the birth record is confidential, only certain people can get a copy. The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records allows you to obtain certified copies of birth records by fax, in person at the local county vital records office, or through the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Minnesota?

You have two options for finding birth records in Minnesota. You can contact the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records and request a copy after filling out an application and paying a fee. You can also visit the local county vital records office and have them print a copy for you.

How soon can I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Minnesota?

If you visit a local vital records office in person, you can get one instantly. If you order through the mail or fax, you may wait a few weeks. The volume is high due to filling orders for the REAL ID, and there may be delays.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Minnesota?

The cost for a certified copy of someone's birth record is $26. Each additional copy is another $19. If you choose expedited processing, you must pay another $20, and if you want it shipped back to you via UPS, you must include another $16.

Who can request birth records?

If the record belongs to a person born to married parents, anyone may get a copy. If the person was born to a single mother, then the file may be kept confidential, and only the following list of people can get copies:

  1. A parent named on the subject's record.
  2. A grandparent of the subject.
  3. A great-grandparent of the subject.
  4. A child of the subject.
  5. A grandchild of the subject.
  6. A great-grandchild of the subject
  7. Spouse of the subject (You must be the current spouse).
  8. Your own record.
  9. Party responsible for filing the record (generally a health professional or birth attendant).
  10. The legal custodian, guardian, or conservator of the subject (a certified copy of a court order naming you is required).
  11. The health care agent for the subject (health care power of attorney is required).
  12. Subject's personal representative; a certified copy is needed to administer the estate.
  13. Successor of the subject (the subject is dead); the certified copy is needed to administer the estate.
  14. Determination or protection of a personal or property right and proof that birth certificate is needed.
  15. Adoption agency — to complete post-adoption search (Employee ID is required).
  16. Local/state/tribal or federal governmental agency (Employee ID is required).
  17. Attorney.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Minnesota birth certificate?

When requesting a copy of someone's birth record, you will need the following information:

  1. The child's full name.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. City of birth.
  4. County of birth.
  5. Gender.
  6. Mother's full name.
  7. Father's full name.
  8. Requestor's information and signature.
  9. Relationship to the subject of the record.

Where can I find historical vital records in Minnesota for genealogy research?

The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records has all records available dating back to 1900. Each local county office of vital records has online access to them all as well.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

Corrections made to birth records must be completed within one year of birth before getting a certified copy. The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records can assist you with correction during the first year. If that time has elapsed, you will need to contact the courts to get an amendment.

Can I get a refund if my Minnesota birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Minnesota Death Records

Minnesota has been keeping track of death records since 1908. They have been storing them online since 1997 for easy access to get copies. Death certificates are available only to people with a "tangible interest" in the subject - they are not open to the general public. They are available for walk-in service at any local vital records office. The state Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records also has them available by mail or fax. Any records from 1908-present are readily available. They accept credit cards, mail orders, and checks for payment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Death Records

How do I find death records in Minnesota?

You can visit any local county vital records office or contact the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records. When searching, you will need some information to help locate the record. You can get a copy easily through either method if you are eligible to do so.

Are death records public in Minnesota?

No. Only individuals with a "tangible interest" in the subject with documented proof may get a copy of someone's death record.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Minnesota?

Death certificates in Minnesota cost $13. Each additional copy is $6.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Minnesota death record?

If you visit a local county vital records office, they can print one for you instantly. If you order by fax or mail, you may wait a few weeks. The office is usually backlogged with orders.

Who can request death records?

  1. A parent named on the subject's record.
  2. A grandparent of the subject.
  3. A great-grandparent of the subject.
  4. A child of the subject.
  5. A grandchild of the subject.
  6. A great-grandchild of the subject
  7. Spouse of the subject (You must be the current spouse).
  8. Party responsible (licensed mortician or funeral director) for filing the death record.
  9. Subject's personal representative; the certified death certificate is required for the administration of the estate.
  10. Successor of the subject; the certified death certificate is required for the administration of the estate.
  11. Trustee of a trust; the certified death certificate is required for the proper administration of the trust.
  12. Determination or protection of a personal or property right (You must submit documentation showing this relationship).
  13. Adoption agency — to complete post-adoption search (Employee ID required).
  14. Attorney.
  15. Someone with a court order.
  16. Local/state/tribal/federal governmental agency.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Minnesota death certificate?

When requesting a copy of someone's death certificate, you will need the following information:

  1. Full name of the deceased.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Date of birth.
  4. Place of death.
  5. Full names of both parents.
  6. Spouse's name.
  7. Requester's information (name, address, phone, email).

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

If the death occurred within one year, you could contact the funeral home, a local registrar, a state registrar, or the informant to correct the death record. If longer than one year, contact the state or local registrar for help.

Can I get a refund if my Minnesota death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Minnesota Marriage Records

The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records does not store or issue marriage records. However, they do provide instructions on how to get copies. Marriage certificates are held and issued by the county that issued the marriage license. The state of Minnesota has created a database of all marriage certificates called MOMS, and it is available for anyone to search and lookup marriage records freely. To get copies of someone's marriage record, you can do so easily through the local county office where the marriage license was issued or through the MOMS system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Marriage Records

Are Minnesota marriage records public?

Yes. In fact, the state set up a database where all the counties have added in marriages that took place in thier area, and anyone can search and request a copy of someone's marriage certificate.

What Minnesota marriage records are available?

The counties began keeping marriage records in the early 1900s and put them online in the late 1900s. You can find records going back to 1973 and some earlier.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Minnesota?

When requesting a copy of a marriage certificate, you will have to wait a few days for it to reach you, depending on how much of a backlog the county has at the time.

How much does a Minnesota marriage certificate cost?

A certified copy of a Minnesota marriage certificate costs $9 each. If you want it expedited, you must pay an additional $20.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

You can find most marriage records in the MOMS system using someone's name or a date range of the marriage. The system even uses partial words/names.

How do I get a copy of a Minnesota marriage record?

When you request a copy, you simply need to find the marriage certificate on the MOMS system (using a person's name or date range) and then fill out a short form with your information and pay using a credit card.

What if I didn't get married in Minnesota?

If you were not married in Minnesota, your records would not be online. You must contact the state vital records office or court where your marriage was filed.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone. Marriage records in Minnesota are completely open to the public.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Minnesota?

To correct a marriage record, you must contact the county office or court where your marriage license was filed, and they can help you correct it.

Minnesota Divorce Records

The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records does not keep or issue divorce records. To get a copy of your divorce record or someone else's, you must contact the county district court office where the divorce was granted. You can use the Minnesota Judicial Branch website to find the correct court and department to contact for a copy of your divorce decree or certificate. They use a single form for requests but make it easy to get a copy. You must have some information about the parties named in the divorce, however.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Minnesota?

No. But you can easily locate the correct county courthouse and request records by downloading the correct form, submitting it with your payment and waiting for your copy.

How do I find old divorce records?

The courts will have all copies of divorces going back to when they first started recording them.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

Use the downloadable form on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website and fill it out, send it in with your payment to the address below:

Lake CountyCourt Administration Attn: 6th District Copy Center
6013rdAve.
Two Harbors, MN 55616

What information is needed to search for a Minnesota divorce record?

When you request a copy of a divorce record, you need to provide your information as the requestor, then each party's name, the court file number if you have it, the type of case "family," the document type, and why you need it. Then you just send it in with your $8 per copy or $14 for a certified copy and wait for it to be processed.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Minnesota?

If you were not divorced in Minnesota, contact the courts in the state where you were divorced, and they can point you in the right direction and help with getting a copy.

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