Birth Record Information
NOTE: Birth and death certificates are currently not available at the Washington County Government Center. Washington County locations to access these records are the PRTS Department, which is temporarily located at the Valley Ridge Mall (1305 W. Frontage Road, Stillwater, Minnesota) and the County Service Centers in Woodbury, Forest Lake, and Cottage Grove.
Birth certificates that are public may be obtained at the Washington County Government Center location if the person was born after 1870. They may also be obtained from the satellite offices or any other Minnesota county from 1900 to present. The requestor will be asked to complete an application form for the birth certificate and have tangible interest to obtain certified copies.
Birth records before 1870 may be obtained through the Minnesota Historical Society. Its telephone number is 651-296-2143.
Statement to Identify Certified Birth or Death Certificate Applicant
This form is to be used in conjunction with the Birth or Death Record Application only if the applicant does not have picture identification.
Birth Fees
| First Certified Record |
$26 |
| Each additional certificate issued for the same record at the same time |
$19 |
| Uncertified |
$13 |
| Verification |
$9 |
Confidential Records
Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 144.225, Subd.2, data pertaining to the birth of a child, to a woman who was not married to the child's father when the child was conceived nor when the child was born, including the original certificate of birth and the certified copy, are confidential data unless the mother has designated the data as being public.
Confidential birth records are available only to:
- the individual listed on the birth record if the individual has reached the age 16;
- the mother;
- the father, if he is listed on the birth record;
- a legal guardian presenting a certified copy of guardianship papers;
- an individual presenting a certified copy of a court order releasing the record to him/her;
- the Commissioner of Welfare or authorized representative;
- a bonafide adoption agency or authorized representative;
- or, an individual with a written and notarized authorization from any of the persons above.
Identification is required to obtain a confidential birth certificate.
Information for Amending a Birth Record - Pursuant to MDH Rule 4601.1000
Changing (amending) a birth record
If there is incorrect or missing information on your birth record or on your child's birth record, you may make a request for an amendment. Please click on the link "Amending a Birth Record" to review information.
Tangible Interest - Birth and Death Certificates
Tangible Interest Law and when it is Effective.
Minnesota Statutes section 144.225, Subd. 7 restricts access to a certified birth or death certificate to a person who has a tangible interest in the requested certificate. This is a new law that is effective August 1, 2000.
Who has Tangible Interest?
You have tangible interest in a certificate:
- if you are the subject of the certificate;
- if you are the child, grandchild, spouse, parent, grandparent, legal custodian, or guardian of the subject;
- if you are a personal representative of the estate of the subject; or
- if you are the person who filed or a representative of the organization that filed the birth or death information with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or a local registrar.
You may also be issued a certificate if a person who has tangible interest authorized you to receive the certificate or if you can demonstrate to the state registrar that the certificate is necessary for the determination or protection of a personal or property right.
A local, state, or federal governmental agency may be issued a certificate if it is necessary for the governmental agency to perform its authorized duties.
How do I Request a Certified Birth or Death Certificate?
You may request a certified birth or death certificate from a local registrar at a county office (in person) or from MDH (by mail).
If you request the certificate in person, you will be asked to complete and sign an application stating that you have tangible interest in the certificate. You will be asked to show identification.
If you request the certificate by mail or fax, you will be asked to provide the same information that is requested on the application and to have the application notarized before you mail or fax it.
Why Tangible Interest?
Tangible interest is a fraud protection measure. The prevalence of fraud is on the rise and most Minnesota birth and death records are public data. Tangible interest helps protect people who are born in Minnesota and the families of people who die in Minnesota by restricting access to the certificates that are used for most legal purposes such as school registration, applying for a passport or a social security number, or settling an estate.
Tangible interest does not change the classification of the data. Public data is still public. Access to private or confidential data is still restricted.
