Fillmore County Birth Records

Fillmore County birth records are maintained at the County Recorder office in Preston, in the bluff country of southeast Minnesota. The office holds birth certificates from 1870 forward and accepts requests in person, by mail, or via email. The county also offers several application forms online for different types of birth record needs. If you need to get a certified birth certificate from Fillmore County, this page covers where to go, what forms to use, and what the fees are.

Fillmore County Recorder

The Fillmore County Recorder office in Preston handles all birth and death records for the county. The office is located at 101 Fillmore Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can look up records by name and date of birth and print certified copies during your visit. For most requests, the process is quick, especially if you come in with the right information.

What sets Fillmore County apart is the range of birth record application forms available. The office provides four different forms: a Certified Birth Certificate Application, a Non-Certified Birth Certificate Application, an Amendment to Birth Certificate Application, and a Homeless Youth Birth Certificate Application. This is more than most counties offer directly, which makes it easier to know exactly what to file based on your situation. You can reach the office by email at birthanddeathrecords@co.fillmore.mn.us, which is a dedicated address for vital records requests.

Birth Record Application Forms

Fillmore County offers four application forms for birth records. Knowing which one to use saves time. The Certified Birth Certificate Application is for ordering a legally valid certified copy. The Non-Certified Birth Certificate Application works if you only need the record for research or informational purposes and don't need it notarized or officially certified.

The Amendment to Birth Certificate Application is for correcting or updating information on an existing record. This is the form to use if there is an error on the certificate such as a misspelled name or wrong date. The Homeless Youth Birth Certificate Application is a separate form that allows eligible individuals to request a copy at no cost, as provided under Minn. Stat. § 144.2255. Contact the office at birthanddeathrecords@co.fillmore.mn.us or call 507-765-3852 to ask which form applies to your situation.

How to Request Fillmore County Birth Records

You can get a birth certificate from Fillmore County by visiting the Recorder office in Preston in person, by sending a mail request, or by emailing the office. In-person is fastest. Walk in during business hours with your ID, the completed application form, and your payment. Most requests are done that day.

Mail requests work fine too. Fill out the appropriate form, attach a copy of your photo ID, include a check or money order for the fee, and mail everything to 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965. Allow a week or two for processing. If you are not sure which form to use or have questions about what to include, email birthanddeathrecords@co.fillmore.mn.us before sending your request. The office responds to email inquiries and can clarify what they need from you.

The Minnesota Department of Health birth records page is another option for ordering at the state level. MDH holds records for all Minnesota counties and has an online ordering system that accepts credit cards.

Fillmore County Birth Certificate Fees

A certified birth certificate from Fillmore County costs $26 for the first copy and $19 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates are available at a lower rate of $13 per copy. These fees align with the standard Minnesota schedule set under Minn. Stat. § 144.225.

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card. If paying by mail, use a check or money order payable to Fillmore County Recorder. The non-certified copy and homeless youth application may have different or waived fees. Contact the office to confirm costs before mailing a request if you're ordering something other than a standard certified copy.

Minnesota Birth Records Online

The Minnesota Department of Health birth records ordering page at health.state.mn.us shows how to request certificates at both the state level and through county offices like Fillmore County.

The page explains eligibility, required information, and how to order online, by mail, or through a local county office such as the Fillmore County Recorder.

Research Resources for Fillmore County

For genealogy research in Fillmore County, birth records going back to 1870 provide a rich source of family history information. The Recorder office can help you search older records and pull informational copies for research purposes. If you're not sure what exists in the county records, calling or emailing the office first is a smart move.

The Minnesota Historical Society vital records guide covers what birth records exist across the state and where they are held. For statewide searches and a county-by-county breakdown, the MDH maintains a county directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html. Third-party ordering through VitalChek is available for online orders, though they charge a service fee.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fillmore County in southeast Minnesota. Each county Recorder maintains birth records for that area.