Edina Birth Records
Edina birth records are handled through Hennepin County, which operates a service center right in the city. The Hennepin County Southdale Service Center at 1225 Southdale Center in Edina is where residents go to request certified birth certificates and other vital records. It is one of the most convenient Hennepin County locations for south metro residents. You can also request through the Minnesota Department of Health if you prefer to do it by mail rather than visiting in person. Records in the county go back to 1870.
Edina Overview
Where to Get Edina Birth Records
Edina is in Hennepin County, and the county's Southdale Service Center is located inside the Southdale Center shopping complex in Edina. This office handles birth certificate requests for Edina and any other Hennepin County community. Having this service center in Edina itself means residents can get a certified birth certificate without making a long drive downtown. Staff are there during regular county business hours and can issue certified copies on the spot in many cases.
Hennepin County has maintained birth records since 1870. Births that happened in Edina are registered with the county and with the Minnesota Department of Health. Both offices can issue certified copies of birth records for Edina residents.
| Office | Hennepin County Southdale Service Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 1225 Southdale Center Edina, MN 55435 |
| Phone | 612-348-8240 |
| Website | hennepin.us - Licenses and Certificates |
Confirm hours before your visit by checking the Hennepin County website or calling 612-348-8240. Service center hours can change, and it is better to verify ahead of time.
How to Request an Edina Birth Certificate
Going in person to the Southdale Service Center is the most direct route. Bring your documentation, pay the fee, and the staff will typically process your request while you are there. This is the fastest method if you need the certificate quickly. The office is right in Edina, so it should be easy to fit into your schedule without a long trip.
If you can't make it in person, Hennepin County accepts mail requests. The county website has the current request form and mailing address. Send a legible copy of your photo ID, the completed form, and the payment. Mail orders take longer, but they are a solid backup option for people with limited availability during business hours.
Ordering through the state is also possible. The MDH birth certificate page covers all the ordering methods the state accepts. VitalChek at vitalchek.com handles online orders for Minnesota birth certificates as an authorized vendor. A service fee applies when using VitalChek.
The Minnesota DOH county office directory below lists Hennepin County alongside all other registrar offices in the state, and it shows contact details Edina residents can use when ordering through the state system.
What to Bring or Send with Your Request
Minnesota limits access to certified birth certificates under Minn. Stat. 144.2255. Only the person named on the record, parents listed on the record, legal guardians, and people with a legally established direct interest may get a certified copy. You must prove your identity and document your connection to the person on the record as part of every request.
Required for all request types:
- Valid photo ID issued by a government agency
- Full name as it appears on the birth record
- Date of birth and the Minnesota city or county where the birth occurred
- Full names of both parents as they appear on the birth certificate
- Your relationship to the person named on the record
- Correct payment for the applicable fee
If you are an attorney or authorized legal representative making the request, bring documentation that establishes your authorization to access the record on behalf of your client.
Fees for Edina Birth Certificates
Hennepin County charges a fee for each certified birth certificate copy issued at service centers. Fees for state orders through MDH are separate and may differ. Check the Hennepin County page for current county fees. Ordering multiple copies at the same time is often more cost-effective than making separate requests. If you need more than one copy, ask the staff about ordering them all together when you visit.
What Edina Birth Records Contain
A certified Minnesota birth certificate shows the child's full legal name, date and place of birth, sex, and the full names of both parents. Each parent's age at the time of birth and state or country of birth are also typically included. The official seal from the issuing office is printed on every certified copy. This seal is what gives the document legal standing for use with passport offices, schools, the Social Security Administration, and other agencies that require proof of birth.
Edina births are registered at both the county level through Hennepin County and at the state level through MDH. This dual registration means you have two reliable sources for getting a certified copy. In most cases, the county service center in Edina is the more convenient starting point.
The main MDH vital records page provides an overview of the statewide birth certificate system and ordering options, including for Edina residents who want to go through the state.
Adoption Records and Youth Programs
Minnesota adoptees born in the state have a right to request their original birth certificate. This process is separate from a standard birth certificate request and goes through MDH. Edina residents who were adopted in Minnesota can apply using the process described at health.state.mn.us - Adoption Records. The page explains eligibility, what to submit, and how long processing typically takes.
Minnesota also has a program for homeless youth who need a birth certificate. Young people who are experiencing homelessness can apply to get a certified copy at no cost through the state. Details are at health.state.mn.us - Homeless Youth. This program removes financial barriers for young people who need identification to access housing and support services.
Genealogy and Historical Edina Birth Records
Hennepin County birth records go back to 1870, which means genealogists researching Edina family history have a substantial archive to work with. Records from the 1870s through early 1900s are often handwritten and may include details like the physician or midwife at the birth, the family's street address, and other notes from that period. For records that predate county registration or for supplemental historical data, the Minnesota Historical Society maintains archival collections. Their research guide at libguides.mnhs.org outlines what is available and how to search historical vital records statewide.
Hennepin County Birth Records
Edina is part of Hennepin County. The county manages birth records for Edina and all other communities within the county. Visit the Hennepin County birth records page for complete details on the process, fees, service center locations, and ordering options.