Lakeville Birth Records
Lakeville birth records are managed by Dakota County, which maintains vital records for all cities and communities within the county. If you need to search for or request a birth certificate for someone born in Lakeville, the Dakota County Lakeville License Center on Heritage Drive is the most convenient location. Dakota County birth records go back to 1870 and cover all registered births in the county. The Lakeville office handles in-person requests, and the county also accepts mail and fax submissions. Credit card payments are accepted with a 2.49% convenience fee. Lakeville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Dakota County with around 72,000 residents.
Lakeville Overview
Dakota County Lakeville License Center
The Dakota County Lakeville License Center is the primary location for Lakeville residents to request birth certificates. It is located on Heritage Drive in Lakeville and serves the southern portion of Dakota County. For births in Lakeville, this is typically the fastest and most convenient option for in-person requests. The center handles certified and noncertified copies of birth certificates. All Dakota County birth records from 1870 onward are accessible through any county license center location.
If you need to go to another Dakota County location, the Administration Center in Hastings and the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul are the other main offices that handle vital records. Call ahead to either location to confirm hours and what to bring. Under Minn. Stat. 144.225, counties issue certified birth certificates for births registered within their borders.
| Office | Dakota County Lakeville License Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 20085 Heritage Dr. Lakeville, MN 55044 |
| Phone | 952-891-7878 |
| Also Available | Dakota County Administration Center 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 Phone: 651-438-4312 |
| Website | co.dakota.mn.us - Birth Certificates |
The Lakeville License Center is easy to reach from most parts of the city. Bring valid photo ID, a completed request form, and your payment. Credit card payments carry a 2.49% convenience fee, so some people prefer to pay by check or money order to avoid it.
How to Request a Lakeville Birth Certificate
You can request a Lakeville birth certificate in person at the Heritage Drive location, by mail, or by fax. In-person requests are processed the same day. Walk in during business hours, bring your ID and application, pay the fee, and the record is issued before you leave. No appointment is needed, though it is always a good idea to call ahead at 952-891-7878 to ask about current wait times or any changes to hours.
Mail requests go to the Dakota County Administration Center in Hastings: 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. Include your completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. Processing times for mail requests vary. Fax requests also go to the Hastings office. Include credit card payment information with fax requests, and expect the 2.49% convenience fee to apply.
Online orders are available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek is the state-approved platform for online birth certificate orders in Minnesota. You can also request through the Minnesota Department of Health at health.state.mn.us/birthnc. Both online options include an additional service fee on top of the county rate.
Note: Always check the Dakota County website at co.dakota.mn.us for the most current fee schedule and hours before submitting your request.
The Dakota County birth certificates page at co.dakota.mn.us outlines the full process for requesting a Lakeville birth record, including accepted request methods, fees, and what documentation is required.
The page also explains the 2.49% credit card convenience fee and lists all Dakota County license center locations that handle vital records requests.
Who Can Get a Lakeville Birth Record
Minnesota law restricts certified birth certificate access under Minn. Stat. 144.2255. Eligible persons include the individual named on the record (if 18 or older), a parent or legal guardian, an attorney or legal representative, and others who can document a legitimate legal need. You must provide valid government-issued photo ID and may need to show proof of your relationship to the person on the record.
Noncertified copies are informational only and are available to a broader group of requestors. These are not valid for legal purposes like name changes or passport applications but can be useful for family research. The Lakeville License Center or the Hastings Administration Center can tell you which type of copy you need and what it costs before you come in.
Dakota County Birth Records and Historical Resources
Dakota County has kept birth records since 1870. The Lakeville area was settled in the mid-1800s, and while formal birth registration systems took some time to become fully consistent, the county's records from 1870 onward cover a broad range of births in the area. For births before 1870, or for records not found in the county system, the Minnesota Historical Society has a research guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/birth. The guide covers church records, early hospital logs, and other historical sources that may contain birth information from before formal registration was required.
The MDH maintains a directory of all Minnesota county vital records offices at health.state.mn.us/registrars. Dakota County is listed there with current contact information and coverage details. This is useful if you are researching births from multiple counties and need to know which office handles each record.
Dakota County Birth Records
Lakeville is in Dakota County, and all birth certificates for the city are issued through the Dakota County vital records system. For more information on county-level services, all office locations, and record coverage, visit the Dakota County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Lakeville with their own birth records pages: