Apple Valley Birth Records
Birth records for Apple Valley are handled through Dakota County, which maintains vital records for all cities in the county. Apple Valley residents can request a certified birth certificate at any Dakota County License Center location. Three license centers serve the area, with the Burnsville location being closest to Apple Valley. Records go back to 1870. The Minnesota Department of Health is also an option if you prefer to order through the state instead of the county.
Apple Valley Overview
Where to Get Apple Valley Birth Records
Apple Valley is in Dakota County. Dakota County does not have a license center in Apple Valley itself, but there are three locations that serve residents across the county. The Burnsville License Center at 1101 W. County Road 42 is the closest to Apple Valley and is where most residents choose to go. The Hastings and Rosemount locations are also available if one of them works better for you.
Dakota County has maintained vital records since 1870. All births in Apple Valley are registered with the county and with the Minnesota Department of Health. You can request a certified copy from either source.
| Burnsville (Closest) | 1101 W. County Road 42 Burnsville, MN 55306 952-891-7850 |
|---|---|
| Robert Trail (Rosemount) | 14395 S. Robert Trail Rosemount, MN 55068 651-480-1234 |
| Hastings | 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033 651-438-4312 |
| Website | co.dakota.mn.us - Birth Certificates |
All three locations handle the same services. You can go to any one of them. Call ahead to confirm hours before making the trip.
How to Request an Apple Valley Birth Certificate
Apple Valley residents have a few ways to get a birth certificate from Dakota County. In-person visits to any of the three license center locations are the most direct method. Bring your documents and payment, and staff can typically issue a certified copy on the same visit. This is the fastest option.
For mail requests, check the Dakota County birth certificates page for the current mailing address and request form. Include a legible copy of your photo ID and the required payment. Processing mail requests takes longer than in-person visits, so plan ahead if you are working toward a deadline.
You can also order through the Minnesota Department of Health. The MDH birth certificate order page has instructions for mail, in-person, and third-party online ordering through VitalChek. VitalChek charges an additional service fee on top of the state fee, but it can be a convenient option if you can't visit a county office.
The Dakota County birth certificate page below shows the county's web resource for Apple Valley and other Dakota County residents looking to request a certified birth record.
What to Bring for a Birth Certificate Request
Under Minnesota Statute 144.2255, certified birth certificates are only issued to eligible requesters. These include the person named on the record, parents listed on the record, legal guardians, and others who can document a direct interest in the record. You must present proof of identity and show your connection to the person on the certificate.
Bring or include these items with your request:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Full legal name on the birth record
- Date and place of birth
- Full names of both parents as they appear on the birth record
- Your relationship to the person named
- Payment in the form accepted at that location
If you are requesting on behalf of a minor child and you are not listed on the birth record, bring court documentation showing your legal custody or guardianship.
Fees and Payment in Dakota County
Dakota County charges a fee for certified birth certificates. Credit and debit card payments at county license centers carry a 2.49% convenience fee. To avoid that extra cost, pay with cash or check when visiting in person. The current fee schedule is on the Dakota County birth certificates page. If you order through MDH, different fees apply, so check both before deciding which route to take.
Ordering extra copies at the same time is usually more cost-effective than returning later for additional copies. If you think you'll need more than one, it's worth requesting them all together.
What Apple Valley Birth Records Show
A certified Minnesota birth certificate includes the full legal name of the person, their date and place of birth, sex, and the full names of both parents. Parent details typically include each parent's age and state or country of birth. The certificate carries the official seal of the issuing office, which is required for it to be accepted as a legal document. Without the seal, the copy is informational only and cannot be used for passports, school enrollment, or government identification purposes.
Apple Valley births are registered at both the county and state level. This means you can get a certified copy from either Dakota County or MDH. The county is usually faster for in-person requests. MDH handles all mail and online orders and is the better option if you need a record for a birth that happened many years ago and the county records are harder to locate quickly.
Special Programs for Birth Records
Minnesota provides free birth certificates to homeless youth who need them. Young people in Apple Valley who are experiencing homelessness can apply for a certified copy at no cost through the state program. Details are available at health.state.mn.us - Homeless Youth. Getting a birth certificate is often a first step toward getting other identification and accessing services.
Adoptees born in Minnesota have a legal right to their original birth certificate under state law. This is a different process from a standard request and is handled by MDH. The MDH adoption records page explains who qualifies, what to submit, and how long the process takes. Apple Valley residents who were adopted can use this process the same as anyone else born in Minnesota.
Genealogy and Older Birth Records
Dakota County birth records go back to 1870, giving family historians a deep archive to work with for the Apple Valley area. Older records from that era are often handwritten and may include details like the family's address and the attending physician that you don't find on modern certificates. The Minnesota Historical Society has archival collections and a research guide at libguides.mnhs.org that can help you find historical vital records from Dakota County and across the state.
Dakota County Birth Records
Apple Valley is in Dakota County. The county manages birth records and vital records for the city and all surrounding communities in the county. Visit the Dakota County birth records page for full details on fees, license center locations, and how to request a certificate.