How to Find Minnesota Birth Records

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.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Birth Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1858
 * Births 1858 thru 1908
 * Births after 1908 to Present 
 * Birth year unknown


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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.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

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.

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:

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

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:

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
 * Minnesota Online Genealogical Records
 * 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 Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records