How to Find Minnesota Birth Records

How to Find United States Births Minnesota Births

In 1858, Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory. Statewide registration of births began in 1908 in Minnesota and was generally complied with by 1915. Pre-1900 records are available only in the county of birth. 

Next Step: When did the birth occur?	Birth Records Choose a time period: Before 1858 Births 1858 thru 1870 Birth 1870 thru 1908 Births After 1908 to Present After 1900 to present -MDH Birth year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births before 1858

Minnesota did not exist at this time and was known as Minnesota Territory . Before 1858, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Records that give birth information:
Death Records Cemetery Records Newspapers	Church Records Census Military Records

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1858 thru 1870

• 1858 - Minnesota law required counties to record births
• Minnesota was created from Minnesota in 1858
• 1870 Legislation ordered recording of county vital records.
• From 1858-1908, --%of the births were recorded
• From 1---- ----, --% of the births were recorded
• 1908 - West Virginia Statewide birth registration began

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Minnesota Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1840-1980 - Minnesota Births and Christenings	Free; most counties go to 1980: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on MN website; collection also contains delayed birth records
Try 2nd:
	1853-1930 - At FamilySearch.org 1863-1983 Minnesota, County Births Records	Free; not all counties are complete to 1950: collection also contains delayed birth records;
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1870 thru 1908

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Minnesota Department of Health.

Minnesota Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1900-1934 - Minnesota Birth Certificate Index	Free; most counties go to 1934:  collection also contains delayed birth records
Try 2nd:
	1853-1930 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on MN website; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image
Next try:
Ancestry database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	18-- -19-- - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	18-- -19-- - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
From County of Birth		From MN Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Minnesota Department of Health will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 1908 to the Present

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Minnesota Department of Health.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information

Minnesota Historical Society Database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1900-1934 - use Minnesota Birth Certificates Index Minnesota Historical Society	Minnesota Historical Society Ancestry Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1935-2002 -  Minnesota, Birth Index  Index proviede by Ancestry	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from theMinnesota Department of Health.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
From County of Birth		From MN Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Minnesota Department of Health will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1969

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
From County of Birth		From MN Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Minnesota Department of Health will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:

• The person on the certificate
• The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
• The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
• The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
• The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

• Minnesota BIrths and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• Minnesota County Births
• Minnesota, Birth Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• Minnesota Vital Records

• Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
• How to find U.S. death records
• United States Record Selection Table
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• United States Vital Records
• Locating United States Vital Records
• United States Death Records
• United States Marriage Records

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