Minneapolis Birth Records
Minneapolis birth records are kept by the Hennepin County Vital Records Office, which has maintained birth certificates for the city since 1866. If you need to find or get a copy of a birth certificate for someone born in Minneapolis, the county vital records office is your main source. You can request records in person at any of the six Hennepin County service center locations across the metro, by mail, or by fax. The office handles same-day service for walk-in requests. Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, with around 430,000 residents, and its birth record collection is one of the oldest and most complete in the state.
Minneapolis Overview
Where to Get Minneapolis Birth Records
The Hennepin County Vital Records Office is the primary source for birth certificates covering Minneapolis. The main office sits inside the Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. For most people, visiting one of the six service center locations spread across the county is more convenient than going to the main office. All locations handle birth certificate requests and provide same-day service for walk-in visits. Under Minn. Stat. 144.225, certified birth certificates are issued by the county or the Minnesota Department of Health.
The main contact for all Hennepin County birth record requests is the Vital Records Office at the Government Center. Staff there can handle mail and fax requests as well as walk-ins. You can also email the office directly with general questions before submitting your request.
| Office | Hennepin County Vital Records Office |
|---|---|
| Address | Government Center 300 South 6th St, Suite A025 Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026 |
| Phone | 612-348-8240 |
| Fax | 612-348-2010 |
| vitalrecords@hennepin.us | |
| Website | hennepin.us - Vital Records |
The Government Center is accessible by light rail at the Government Plaza station. Parking is available in the attached ramp. Bring a valid photo ID and any documentation that shows your relationship to the person named on the record, as this is required under state law to receive a certified copy.
Hennepin County Service Center Locations
Hennepin County runs six service centers across the metro area to make birth certificate requests more accessible. Each location provides the same services as the main Government Center office, including same-day issuance of certified birth certificates. You do not need an appointment, but arriving early in the day can reduce wait times.
The six service center locations are listed below. Each one can handle requests for Minneapolis birth records and all Hennepin County birth certificates going back to 1870 for county records and 1866 for Minneapolis city records. If you live on the north or west side of the city, the North Minneapolis or Brookdale locations are likely the most convenient.
- Brookdale: 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- Maple Grove: 9325 Upland Lane North, Suite 101, Maple Grove, MN 55369
- Midtown Exchange: 2929 Chicago Avenue, Greenway Level, Minneapolis, MN 55407
- North Minneapolis: 1001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Ridgedale: 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- Southdale: 1225 Southdale Center, Edina, MN 55435
The Midtown Exchange and North Minneapolis locations are inside the city of Minneapolis itself. Both are accessible by bus. The Southdale and Ridgedale locations serve the southern and western suburbs and are easy to reach by car. Call 612-348-8240 before visiting if you have questions about what to bring or whether a specific location handles your type of request.
How to Request Minneapolis Birth Certificates
You have three ways to request a birth certificate for someone born in Minneapolis: in person at a service center, by mail, or by fax. Each method has different processing times. In-person visits get you the record the same day. Mail and fax requests take longer depending on current volume at the office.
To request in person, go to any Hennepin County service center during business hours. Bring a completed application form and valid photo ID. The county's birth certificate application form is available as a PDF at hennepin.us birth certificate application. Fill it out ahead of time to speed up the process when you arrive. Staff will verify your identity and your eligibility to receive the record before issuing it.
Mail requests go to the main Government Center address: 300 South 6th St, Suite A025, Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026. Include the completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Fax requests go to 612-348-2010 and require the same materials along with a credit card number for payment. Email the office at vitalrecords@hennepin.us if you have questions before submitting your request.
Note: The Minnesota Department of Health also issues certified birth certificates for Minneapolis births at health.state.mn.us and through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for online orders.
Birth Certificate Fees in Minneapolis
Hennepin County charges $26 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $19. If you need expedited service, there is an extra $20 fee on top of the standard cost. These fees apply whether you request in person, by mail, or by fax.
Payment options vary by request method. In-person payments can be made by cash, check, or card. Mail requests require a check or money order made out to Hennepin County Vital Records. Fax requests use a credit card. The MDH also processes birth certificate requests at the state level; fees and processing times at the state office may differ slightly from the county.
Who Can Get a Certified Copy
Minnesota law limits who can receive a certified copy of a birth record. Under Minn. Stat. 144.2255, certified copies are available to the person named on the record (if 18 or older), parents or legal guardians, legal representatives, and others with a documented need such as an executor of an estate. You must show ID and explain your relationship to the person named on the certificate.
Noncertified or informational copies have fewer restrictions. These copies are not valid for official purposes like passport applications or school enrollment, but they can confirm basic facts about a birth. The Hennepin County office can tell you which type of copy fits your need.
Adoptees seeking original birth certificates have a separate process under Minnesota law. The Minnesota Department of Health handles these requests. More information is at health.state.mn.us/adoption.
Historical Birth Records for Minneapolis
Minneapolis birth records go back to 1866, making the city's collection among the oldest available through a Minnesota county office. Hennepin County's broader county birth records start in 1870. For births before those dates, or for records not found through the county office, the Minnesota Historical Society maintains historical vital records collections.
The MNHS at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/birth has guides for finding older birth records, including church records, early hospital registers, and state archives. These sources can be useful when a birth was not formally registered or when records from the late 1800s are incomplete. Some MNHS collections can be searched online; others require an in-person visit to their research center in St. Paul.
The Minnesota Department of Health runs the statewide vital records program at health.state.mn.us. The MDH site has information on how to order birth certificates online, by mail, or by phone through VitalChek.
The MDH maintains birth records for all of Minnesota and serves as a backup source when county records are unavailable or when the birth occurred outside a county's own filing system.
The MDH birth certificate order page at health.state.mn.us/birthnc walks through the steps to order a certified copy of a Minnesota birth certificate, including options for Minneapolis births.
Online orders through the MDH go through VitalChek and include an extra service fee on top of the base certificate cost.
Hennepin County Birth Records
Minneapolis is in Hennepin County. All birth certificates for city and county births are managed through the Hennepin County Vital Records Office. For more details on county-level resources, office hours, and coverage area, visit the Hennepin County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Minneapolis with their own birth records pages: