Dakota County Birth Records
Dakota County birth records are on file at the County Auditor/Treasurer office in Hastings and at four additional service locations spread across the county. You can get a certified copy in person at any of those five offices, by mail, or through online ordering. The county has kept birth records going back to 1870, covering a large portion of the southern Twin Cities metro. If you need to find or request a birth certificate from Dakota County, this page explains where to go and what to expect.
Dakota County Overview
Dakota County Auditor/Treasurer
The Dakota County Auditor/Treasurer office handles birth records for the county. The main location is in Hastings at 1590 Highway 55. You can walk in during regular business hours and request a certified copy on the spot. Staff can search by name and date of birth and pull records going back to 1870. Most requests take only a few minutes to process.
The county operates five locations total, which is more than most Minnesota counties offer. That makes it easy to find a spot close to you whether you live in the northern suburbs or the southern part of the county. The Northern Service Center in West St. Paul and locations in Burnsville, Lakeville, and Rosemount each handle birth certificate requests. You don't have to drive all the way to Hastings if you live near one of the other offices.
| Department | Dakota County Auditor/Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 |
| Phone | 651-438-4312 |
| Fax | 651-438-4313 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.dakota.mn.us - Birth Certificates |
Dakota County Service Center Locations
Dakota County makes birth record requests convenient by keeping multiple offices open across the county. Each location can take your request, process payment, and issue a certified birth certificate during the same visit. Hours vary by location, so calling ahead is a good idea if you have a set schedule.
| Northern Service Center | 1 Mendota Rd. W., Suite 130, West St. Paul, MN 55118 — 651-554-6531 |
|---|---|
| Burnsville License Center | 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville, MN 55306 — 952-891-7850 |
| Lakeville License Center | 20085 Heritage Dr., Lakeville, MN 55044 — 952-891-7878 |
| Robert Trail License Center | 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN 55068 — 651-480-1234 |
Note: Each service center follows a similar schedule but hours can differ from the main office in Hastings. Confirm hours before visiting a branch location.
How to Get Dakota County Birth Records
Dakota County offers three ways to get a birth certificate: in person, by mail, or through online ordering. In-person requests at any of the five locations are the fastest option. You can usually walk out with your copy the same day. Bring a valid photo ID and your payment. Staff will search the records and print your certificate while you wait.
Mail requests are slower but work fine if you cannot visit in person. Write a letter asking for the certificate, include a copy of your ID, a check or money order for the fee, and the name and date of birth of the person on the record. Send it to the main office at 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. Processing time depends on workload but typically takes one to two weeks. Online ordering is also available through the county website at co.dakota.mn.us. If you pay by credit or debit card, a 2.49% convenience fee applies on top of the base fee.
The state's Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office in St. Paul also holds birth records for events statewide. If you're unsure whether to go to the county or the state, either will work for most requests.
Dakota County Birth Certificate Fees
The fee for a certified birth certificate in Dakota County is $26 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $19. These fees apply at all five service center locations as well as mail and online requests.
Payment options at the counter include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Card payments carry an added 2.49% convenience fee. If cost is a concern, paying by cash or check avoids that extra charge. The state of Minnesota sets base fees under Minnesota Statutes section 144.225, and counties follow those guidelines.
Tip: If you need more than one copy, order them all at once. The first copy is $26 but each extra drops to $19, so batching saves money.
Who Can Request a Birth Certificate
Minnesota law limits who can get a certified copy of a birth certificate. Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, only certain people have the right to order one. That includes the person named on the record (if old enough), a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or an authorized representative like an attorney. You need to show a valid photo ID to prove who you are.
People outside those categories can still access non-certified informational copies in many cases, which work fine for genealogy research. If you are researching family history and the record is old enough, you may also be able to find information through the Minnesota Historical Society's vital records guide, which covers historical birth records across the state including Dakota County.
Under Minn. Stat. § 144.2255, homeless youth have a streamlined path to getting a birth certificate without a fee. The county can help connect you with those resources if needed.
Dakota County Birth Certificates Portal
The Dakota County birth certificates page at co.dakota.mn.us lists all locations, hours, fees, and ordering instructions in one place.
The page includes links to online ordering and a breakdown of what ID and payment you need to bring for an in-person request.
State and Additional Resources
The Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office maintains birth records for the entire state. If Dakota County cannot locate a record or if you prefer to order from the state, MDH is a reliable option. Their online ordering system at health.state.mn.us walks you through the process step by step.
VitalChek is a third-party service authorized to process birth certificate orders for Minnesota counties, including Dakota. You can reach them at vitalchek.com. Keep in mind they add their own service fee on top of the state fee. It is an option if you need help placing an order online.
For a list of all county vital records offices in Minnesota, the MDH maintains a county directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html. That page links to each county recorder or auditor office so you can check contact details for any county in the state.
Cities in Dakota County
Dakota County covers a large part of the southern Twin Cities metro. All birth record requests from cities in the county are handled through the Auditor/Treasurer office.
Other communities in Dakota County include Hastings, Rosemount, South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Farmington, and many more. All birth records for these areas go through the Dakota County office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Dakota County. If you are not sure which county has the birth record you need, check the city or address where the birth occurred.