Vital Records

Certified copies of Birth and Death certificates are issued (for birth certificates, persons must have been born in TN on or after 1949).

Birth Certificates

• Birth Certificates are issued from our health department for anyone born in the state of Tennessee.
• You must provide your ID (such as a driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• The fee is $15 per copy and may be paid by cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards.
• Parents with their own ID may obtain their children’s birth certificate.
• A legal guardian or people with legal custody may obtain a child’s birth certificate, as long as they provide the legal documentation of custody and the legal guardian has his/her ID. 
• A notarized letter of permission is acceptable for someone else to pick up your child’s birth certificate. If a notary is not available, a signed and dated letter of permission, along with a copy of your ID that has your signature on it, may be acceptable.
• Do you not live in Rutherford County? Please visit your local health department. As long as you were born within the state if Tennessee, any local health department within the state of Tennessee can print an official copy of your birth certificate.

Birth Certificate Application

Out of State?

• If your parents live here, they may come and get your birth certificate with their government issued photo ID.
• If you are now living in another state with no one here to purchase your birth certificate, you may order a birth certificate by mail. Please follow the instructions given on our state website, which can be found here.
• Although it is a slightly more expensive option, you may also order birth or death certificates online through www.vitalchek.com.
• Call Tennessee Vital Records in Nashville: 615-741-1763

Death Certificates

• We print death certificates for people who died within the state of Tennessee.
• You must provide government issued identification with a signature.
• The fee is $15 per copy and may be paid by cash, check, money order and credit or debit cards.
• The cause of death is only available to the deceased's parent, child, spouse, or an attorney or agency acting on behalf of the decedent’s estate or qualifying family member. Copies of any legal documents, where applicable, should also be submitted.
• Do you not live in Rutherford County? Please visit your local health department. As long as the person died within the state if Tennessee, any local health department within the state of Tennessee can print an official copy of the death certificate.

**Please note: Only certain people may obtain a death certificate. They are not public records until 50 years after death. An ID is required and any documentation showing entitlement (i.e.: insurance policy, vehicle title, loan agreements, etc.).

Death Certificate Application

Still have questions?
Please call us at (615) 898-7880 or visit the State of Tennessee's website here.