Not a government site. We do not sell certificates. About us

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

How to get a Tennessee birth certificate

In Tennessee, order a certified birth certificate from the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.1 County health departments also issue any birth certificate registered statewide.2 Each certified copy costs $153. You can order online, by mail, in person or at a local office. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is in person: same day4.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a Tennessee birth certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a Tennessee birth certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. The state office
  12. Questions people ask
  13. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek$153Up to 3 days4Card2
By mail$153Up to 3 days4Check and money order2
In person$153Same day4Cash, check, card and money order2
At a local office$155 (Knox County)
+ one extra charge		–Cash, check, money order and card6

Not offered: online directly with the vital records office.2

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek2
Vendor status
The state's only authorized vendor2
Fees
  • Per copy $153
Processing time
Up to 3 days4
Payment
Card2

Good to know

  • An estimated date is accepted on VitalChek when the exact date is unknown7

Go to the ordering site2

By mail

Run by
Tennessee Office of Vital Records2
Fees
  • Per copy $153
Processing time
Up to 3 days4
Payment
Check and money order2
Make payable to
Tennessee Vital Records2
Mail to
Tennessee Vital Records, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
2

Good to know

  • Year or range of years is required when ordering directly from the office7

In person

Run by
Tennessee Office of Vital Records8
Fees
  • Per copy $153
Processing time
Same day4
Payment
Cash, check, card and money order2
Office
Tennessee Vital Records, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
8
Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.8
Appointment
Not required2

Good to know

  • Entrance and parking directions8

Open the official page8

At a local office

Run by
County health departments2
Fees
  • Per copy $1556
  • Knox County: 2.5% credit card fee ( minimum) $25
Payment
Cash, check, money order and card6
Make payable to
Metro Public Health Department6

Good to know

  • Knox County online form5
  • Knox County mail5
  • Davidson County same-visit issue6
  • Knox West Clinic issues birth only5

Find a local office2

What a Tennessee birth certificate costs

First certified copy
$153
Each additional copy, same order
$153
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee3

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Birth Certificate3Passport applications need a certified copy9$153
letter certifying that no record was found3–$153
Verification of information10–$153

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing time
Online through VitalChekUp to 3 days4
By mailUp to 3 days4
In personSame day4

Who can order a Tennessee birth certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • The person named on the record, child and spouse: Other than the person named on the certificate, certified copies may only be issued to a spouse, parent, legal guardian or child of the person named on the certificate.11
  • A parent named on the record: Father not listed: If the father is not listed on the child's certificate, he is not entitled to the certificate.12
  • Legal guardian: Yes. You should follow the instructions for requesting a certificate and include a copy of your guardianship papers with your request.13
    Proof: Certified copy of the court-ordered guardianship papers12
  • Attorney or legal representative: These individuals will need to provide documentation.12
    Proof: Letter on firm letterhead naming the entitled party and stating representation, copy of Bar card, driver's license, representation agreement12
  • If you are acting as an authorized representative for one of these people, the Tennessee Office of Vital Records may release the certificate to you under the following conditions11
    Proof: Photocopy of signed government ID for both people, plus a signed statement from the entitled person11
  • Others, who demonstrate a need for the protection of their personal or property rights can also obtain a certified copy.6
Records open to the public after
100 years14

ID you need

Photo ID
Required2
Accepted ID
  • Current driver's license, including the issue and expiration date.
  • Current passport
  • Military I.D. card
  • Alien, temporary or permanent resident card
  • Employment authorization card
  • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship or Citizenship I.D. card15
Without that ID
  • Current pay stub or W2
  • Vehicle registration with name and current address
  • Voter Registration card
  • Military Discharge (DD214)
  • Utility Bill, Bank Statement or deposit slip with name and current address
  • Health care coverage card
  • Medical record
  • Application page of an insurance policy
  • Signed Social Security Card
  • For those persons who have had their I.D. stolen, a copy a police report or other official documents which support the theft.
15
Notarization
A signed and notarized application needs no additional ID15
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID2

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.16

  • Name on birth certificate
  • Date of birth
  • Sex
  • County of birth
  • Name of father
  • Name of mother
  • Reason needed
  • Number of copies
  • Signature
  • Relationship
  • Address
  • Phone

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1926 to today17
Older records
Tennessee State Library and Archives14

Special situations

Delayed registration
Request a copy first; a no-record letter comes with instructions for filing a delayed certificate18
Births at home
Contact the health department in the county of birth19
Adoption
Send the certified court order, Certificate of Adoption and fee20
Adoptees born abroad
A report of foreign birth, not a Tennessee birth certificate21
Sex marker
Not available for gender reassignment; recording mistakes only22
Paternity
A copy with a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity adds $5 and must be bought with the certificate3
Stillbirth
Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth costs $153
Use abroad
The office can forward a new copy for an apostille23
If no record is found
A no-record letter costs the same as a copy3

Warnings from the office

  • Hospital mother's copy is not a legal copy24
  • Old black and white copies may be refused25
  • Holds26

The state office

Office
Tennessee Office of Vital Records2
Mailing address
Tennessee Vital Records, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
2
Walk-in address
Tennessee Vital Records, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
8
Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.8

Questions people ask

How much is a certified Tennessee birth certificate?

Each certified copy costs $15.3

How long does it take to get a Tennessee birth certificate?

Online through VitalChek: up to 3 days. By mail: up to 3 days. In person: same day.4

Can I order a Tennessee birth certificate online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek.2

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: Tennessee Vital Records.2

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: Current driver's license, including the issue and expiration date.; Current passport; Military I.D. card; Alien, temporary or permanent resident card; Employment authorization card; U.S. Certificate of Naturalization; and the other documents listed above.15

Where are older Tennessee birth certificates kept?

Tennessee State Library and Archives.14

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. What is a raised seal? How do I get a raised seal on my certificate?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  2. How do I get my certificate? (In Person, Local County Health Department, Mail, or Online)Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  3. Tennessee Department of Health: FeesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  4. How long will it take?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 23, 2026
  5. Vital Records DivisionKnox County Health Department
  6. Get Copy of Birth CertificateMetro Public Health Department, Nashvilledated August 8, 2025
  7. How can I order a certificate without exact an known date?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  8. Office Hours and LocationTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  9. I need a copy of my birth certificate to apply for a passport, what do I need?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  10. ApplicationsTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  11. May I pick up a copy of a certificate for someone else?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  12. Entitlement GuidelinesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  13. I am the legal guardian of a child. May I request their birth certificate?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  14. Genealogy ResearchTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  15. Identification RequirementsTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  16. Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Birth (1401 KCHD)Knox County Health Departmentdated November 16, 2023
  17. Vital Records at the Library and ArchivesTennessee State Library and Archives
  18. My birth certificate was not registered when I was born. Can I get a certified birth certificate?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  19. My baby was born at home. How do I file for a birth certificate before the child is a year old?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  20. I have adopted a child who was born in Tennessee. How do I get a new birth certificate for them?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  21. I adopted a child from another country. May I get a Tennessee birth certificate for the child?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  22. How do I correct the sex on my birth certificate?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  23. I have been told that I need to get an apostille on my certificate. How do I do that?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  24. I was given a mother’s copy of my child’s birth certificate at the hospitalTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  25. I have an old white and black copy of my birth certificate. Can it be used as a legal document?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  26. There is a hold on my certificate. What do I do?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  27. I still have a Vital Records related question, who do I email?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records