Access Grant County Birth Records

Grant County birth records are handled by the County Treasurer office in Elbow Lake, in west-central Minnesota. This is different from most Minnesota counties, where the Recorder manages birth records. In Grant County, the Treasurer office specifically handles birth and death records, while the Recorder handles marriage records. If you need a certified birth certificate from Grant County, you go to the Treasurer, not the Recorder. The county has birth records dating to 1877, and this page explains how to get them.

Grant County Treasurer Office

Grant County uses an unusual setup for vital records. The Treasurer office at 10 2nd Street NE in Elbow Lake handles birth and death records. The Recorder office at the same address handles marriage records. Both offices are in the same building, but you need to go to the right one. For birth certificates, that means the Treasurer office, reachable at 218-685-8251 or by email at treasurer@co.grant.mn.us.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Grant County is small, so in-person visits tend to be quick. Staff can look up records by name and date of birth and print your copy while you wait. Birth records in Grant County go back to 1877, which is a few years later than the 1870 standard seen in most counties. That gap reflects the county's development history in western Minnesota.

Marriage Records: Grant County Recorder

If you need a marriage record from Grant County rather than a birth record, that goes to the County Recorder at the same address. The Recorder office can be reached at 218-685-8255 or by email at recorder@co.grant.mn.us. The two offices are in the same building but handle different record types. Getting clear on which office to contact before you visit will save you a trip back.

How to Request Grant County Birth Records

To get a certified birth certificate from Grant County, visit the Treasurer office at 10 2nd Street NE in Elbow Lake during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID, the full name of the person on the record, and their date of birth. Pay at the counter and staff will process your request. Most in-person visits are completed quickly given the county's smaller caseload.

Mail requests work as well. Write a letter with the person's full name and date of birth, your name and return address, your relationship to the person on the record, and a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order for the fee. Send everything to Grant County Treasurer, 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. If you have questions first, email treasurer@co.grant.mn.us or call 218-685-8251.

The Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office also holds Grant County birth records and accepts online orders at health.state.mn.us. That can be easier if you don't want to deal with the mail process.

Grant County Birth Certificate Fees

The fee is $26 for the first certified copy and $19 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These are the standard Minnesota fees set under Minn. Stat. § 144.225.

The Treasurer office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card. For mail requests, use a check or money order payable to Grant County. If you need more than one copy, order them together to save money on each additional copy.

Who Can Get a Grant County Birth Certificate

Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, certified copies of birth records are restricted to the person named on the certificate (if old enough), a parent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, or an authorized representative. You need a valid photo ID to prove your eligibility at the time of request, whether you come in person or send a mail request.

Non-certified copies and access to older records for genealogy purposes may have fewer restrictions. The Minnesota Historical Society vital records guide covers what historical records exist in Grant County and where they can be accessed. For statewide lookup of county offices, the MDH maintains a full directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html.

Homeless youth have a no-cost path to getting a birth certificate under Minn. Stat. § 144.2255. Contact the Treasurer office or visit the MDH homeless youth program page for details on how to apply.

Grant County Official Website

The Grant County government site at co.grant.mn.us lists department contacts including the Treasurer office where birth records are managed.

The site provides phone numbers and email addresses for both the Treasurer (birth and death records) and Recorder (marriage records) so you can reach the right office for your request.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Grant County in west-central Minnesota. Birth records for each are managed by that county's local office.