How to Find Minnesota Birth Records
Guide to Minnesota Birth Records, Minnesota ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, and family history.
In 1858, the state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory. Statewide registration of births began in 1908 in Minnesota and generally complied by 1915. Pre-1900 records are available only in the county of birth.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? |
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Births before 1858
Minnesota did not exist as a state at this time and was known as the Minnesota Territory . Before 1858, no births were recorded by the county or state. A very few birth records exist from 1840 - see the next section on Births from 1858-1908. Otherwise, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births from 1858 thru 1908
- 1858 - Minnesota law required counties to record births. A very few records exist from 1840.
- The state of Minnesota was created from the Minnesota Territory in 1858.
- 1870 Legislation ordered recording of county vital records.
- 1908 - Minnesota Statewide birth registration began.
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.
| Minnesota Births Databases | ||||
| 1840-1980 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; Includes Index and Digital Images, most counties go to 1980;
list of database county coverage - also available at Ancestry.com ($) | |||
| 1863-1983 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; digitized images only, NOT INDEXED, not all counties are complete to 1950: collection also contains delayed birth records; | |||
| 1900-1934 - Birth Certificate Index at MN State Historical Society | Free index; certificates may be ordered $. Most counties go to 1934, collection also contains delayed birth records. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From MN Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the Minnesota Department of Health will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births from 1908 to the Present
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
| Minnesota Historical Society Database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| 1900-1934 - use Minnesota Birth Certificates Index Minnesota Historical Society |
Minnesota Historical Society (also available at Ancestry.com ($)
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| Ancestry database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Minnesota Birth Index, 1935-2002 at FamilySearch.org | Also available at Ancestry.com ($) with your own subscription, or for FREE at Family History Libraries/Centers. | |||
| 1900-Present MN Local Issuance Offices | Certificates available from Local Issuance Offices in Minnesota | |||
| 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.
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.
References
Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Minnesota. Prepared by the Minnesota Historical Records Survey Project. Division of Community Service Programs Work Projects Administration. C 1941 St. Paul, MN The Minnesota Historical Records Survey Project. FS Library film 1036716; book:977.6 V23h; fiche 6051362
American Indian Vital Records
1845-1953 Consolidated Chippewa Records. Bureau of Indian Affairs FS Library film 1294364 (first of 13)
Related Wiki Articles
- Minnesota
- Minnesota Online Genealogical Records
- Minnesota Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)
- Minnesota County Births
- Minnesota, Birth Index - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Minnesota Vital Records