Unlock Your Certificate: A Step-by-Step Guide

To obtain certified copies of vital records such as birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates, you may choose from one of the following methods:

1.

In Person

You can visit our office during working hours and file a paper order form at the customer service window on the left counter. Please ensure you bring with you proper identification. If you are not a qualified applicant, you must furnish supporting documents to establish your eligibility for the record.

2.

Mail

You may submit your order via mail by sending in a completed and signed application form along with the fees payable in the form of cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. You must also send us a copy of your identification.

3.

Online Orders

You can place your order online through our website by filling in the relevant application form and paying the fees electronically.

4.

Check Your Order

You can verify the status of your order by clicking on this link.

For orders paid in cash, check, credit/debit card, or money order, please note you can pay at the customer service window with the completed order form. We accept fees for our services in these forms of payment.

Office of Vital Records

If you are not a qualified applicant, you must show supporting documentation to verify your eligibility for the requested record at the time of filing the application. Custody orders, letters of testamentary, or insurance policies identifying the beneficiaries are examples of entitlement documents.

Local County Health Department

With the implementation of the electronic issuance system, all county health departments in the state can access and issue birth or death certificates registered with our office. You are required to bring your valid identification and pay applicable fees for submission.

What to Include

You must complete and sign the application form for the certified copy of the birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate of the person in question, as relevant to your needs. Please ensure all required documents accompany your application, and the fees payable are included before submitting your request.

To obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate, one must provide a valid form of identification. This may include a photocopy of a government-issued ID that showcases the requester's signature or a notarized application for a certified copy. If the birth certificate is for a newborn, the mother's copy of the birth certificate issued at the time of birth can also serve as identification, provided it is dated within the last two calendar years.

In the event that none of the aforementioned documents are available, the Office of Vital Records recommends referring to the ID requirements for alternatives.

A check or money order, made payable to Tennessee Vital Records for the appropriate fee, must accompany the request. The request should be mailed to the Tennessee Vital Records, located at 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243.

While online orders are not directly accepted by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, an independent company, VitalChek, has been authorized by the state to process credit/debit card transactions for online orders. It is important to note that any additional fees associated with this service will be collected by VitalChek. As the only official vendor authorized by the state of Tennessee, VitalChek is a reliable option for obtaining a birth certificate.