Woodbury Birth Records
Woodbury birth records are maintained by the Washington County Taxpayer Services office through its Vital Statistics division. Washington County handles birth certificates for all cities and communities within its borders, including Woodbury, one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. If you need to search for or request a birth certificate for someone born in Woodbury, the county's Stillwater office is the primary location. Washington County also has two satellite service centers, including one in Cottage Grove that is more convenient for Woodbury residents. Birth records for the county go back to 1870, though records from 1870 to 1900 are only available at the main Stillwater location.
Woodbury Overview
Washington County Vital Statistics Office
Washington County Taxpayer Services handles vital statistics for the county, including Woodbury. The primary location is the county government center in Stillwater. For Woodbury residents, the South Service Center in Cottage Grove is the closer option. Both offices issue certified and noncertified copies of birth certificates. Washington County birth records cover births in the county from 1870 onward under Minn. Stat. 144.225.
The Headwaters Service Center in Forest Lake serves the northern part of Washington County. Most Woodbury residents will find Cottage Grove more convenient. If you need birth records from between 1870 and 1900, you must visit the Stillwater main office, as early records are only available there. Call ahead to the Cottage Grove location or the main office in Stillwater to confirm what documentation to bring and current wait times.
| Office | Washington County Taxpayer Services - Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 14949 - 62nd St. N., P.O. Box 6 Stillwater, MN 55082-0006 |
| Main Phone | 651-430-6175 |
| South Service Center | 13000 Ravine Pkwy So. Cottage Grove, MN 55016 |
| Headwaters Center | 19955 Forest Road North Forest Lake, MN 55025 |
| Website | washingtoncountymn.gov - Birth Certificates |
The South Service Center in Cottage Grove is easy to reach from Woodbury via Highway 61 south. The Cottage Grove location offers the same services as the main Stillwater office for birth records from 1900 onward. For early 1870-1900 records, plan a trip to the Stillwater location.
How to Request a Woodbury Birth Certificate
Washington County accepts in-person, mail, and other requests for certified birth certificates. In-person requests at either the Stillwater main office or the Cottage Grove South Service Center are processed the same day. Bring your completed request form, a valid photo ID, and payment for the certificate fee. Staff will verify your identity and issue the record while you wait.
For mail requests, send your application and a copy of your photo ID to the Stillwater office at 14949 - 62nd St. N., P.O. Box 6, Stillwater, MN 55082-0006. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee. Processing times by mail vary. Call 651-430-6175 before mailing to confirm the current process and what documents are required.
Online requests for Woodbury birth certificates can be submitted through the Minnesota Department of Health and VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The MDH birth certificate order page at health.state.mn.us/birthnc explains how to order online and what additional fees VitalChek charges for the service.
Note: Birth records from 1870 to 1900 are only available at the Stillwater office. The satellite service centers in Cottage Grove and Forest Lake do not have access to those early records.
Who Can Get a Woodbury Birth Record
Under Minn. Stat. 144.2255, Minnesota limits access to certified birth certificates. Eligible requestors include the person named on the record (age 18 or older), their parents or legal guardians, attorneys or legal representatives acting on the person's behalf, and others who can demonstrate a legal need. You must present valid government-issued photo ID and may need to provide documentation of your relationship to the person on the record.
Noncertified copies are available to a wider group and cost less. These are informational only and are not accepted in place of a certified copy for legal processes like name changes, passport applications, or enrollment in programs that require proof of birth. Ask the Washington County office which type of copy fits your situation before requesting.
Washington County Birth Records History
Washington County has kept birth records since 1870. The county's early records cover the time when the area was actively being settled, and while registration was less consistent in those early decades, records from that era do exist for many births. For records from 1870 to 1900, the Stillwater main office is the only Washington County location that can access them. These early records may require additional staff time to locate and copy compared to more recent records.
For births not found in the county system, or for research going further back in time, the Minnesota Historical Society maintains a research guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/birth. The guide covers alternative sources like church records, early settlement documents, and state archive collections. The MDH directory at health.state.mn.us/registrars lists Washington County along with every other county office in the state.
The Minnesota Department of Health vital records program at health.state.mn.us manages statewide birth records access and offers a backup channel for getting Woodbury birth certificates when visiting the county office is not possible.
The MDH serves as a state-level alternative for birth certificate requests, including those from Washington County and the city of Woodbury.
The MDH birth records order page at health.state.mn.us/birthnc outlines the steps to order a certified birth certificate by mail or online through VitalChek, covering Woodbury and all other Minnesota locations.
Online orders from the MDH include an additional VitalChek service fee and may take longer than in-person requests at the Washington County office.
Washington County Birth Records
Woodbury is in Washington County, and all birth certificates for the city are managed through the Washington County Taxpayer Services Vital Statistics office. For more information on county-level services, satellite office locations, and early record availability, visit the Washington County birth records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Woodbury with their own birth records pages: