Hennepin County Birth Records

Hennepin County birth records are on file at the county's Vital Records Office in Minneapolis and at six service centers spread across the metro area. The county holds Minneapolis birth records going back to 1866 and county-wide records from 1870. With about 1.28 million residents, Hennepin is Minnesota's largest county and one of the busiest vital records offices in the state. You can get a certified birth certificate the same day you visit any of the seven locations. This page covers how to request a Hennepin County birth record, what it costs, and where to go.

Hennepin County Vital Records Office

The Hennepin County Vital Records Office is located at the Government Center at 300 South 6th Street in Minneapolis, Suite A025. This is the main office for birth certificate requests in the county. You can walk in during business hours and get same-day service for certified copies. Staff can also handle fax requests sent to 612-348-2010, which is useful if you need to send a request without coming in person.

Hennepin County is unique in offering six service center locations on top of the main Government Center office. That's seven total places where you can walk in and get a certified birth certificate the same day. The service centers are spread across the county from Brooklyn Center in the north to Edina in the south, covering the full metro area. For most residents, one of these locations is close to home or work. Mail requests are also accepted at the main office.

Hennepin County Service Center Locations

Any of Hennepin County's six service centers can process your birth certificate request on the same day. You don't have to go to the main Government Center in Minneapolis. Find a location near you and bring your ID and payment.

Note: Service center hours may vary by location. Contact the main Vital Records Office at 612-348-8240 or check hennepin.us to confirm hours at a specific location before visiting.

How to Get a Hennepin County Birth Certificate

You can get a certified birth certificate from Hennepin County in person, by mail, or by fax. In person is the fastest, and same-day service is available at any of the seven locations. Walk in with a valid photo ID, the full name and date of birth of the person on the record, and your payment. Staff will look up the record and print your certificate while you wait.

For mail requests, send a written request to the main Government Center office at 300 South 6th St, Suite A025, Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026. Include a copy of your photo ID, the name and date of birth on the record, your mailing address, and a check or money order for the fee. Fax requests go to 612-348-2010. Email inquiries can go to vitalrecords@hennepin.us. The county also provides a birth certificate application form you can download at hennepin.us. Using the form makes the process cleaner and faster.

Online ordering through the Minnesota Department of Health is another option, and VitalChek is also authorized for Hennepin County orders if you want a third-party option.

Hennepin County Birth Certificate Fees

A certified birth certificate from Hennepin County costs $26 for the first copy and $19 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. The county also offers expedited service for an added $20 fee. That's on top of the base copy fee, so an expedited first copy runs $46 total.

Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, these fees are standard statewide. Hennepin County accepts cash, check, and credit card. The expedite option is available at the main office and may not be offered at all service center locations. Call ahead if you need expedited service at a branch location.

Who Can Get a Hennepin County Birth Certificate

Minnesota limits who can receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, eligible parties include the person named on the certificate (if old enough), a parent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, or a person authorized in writing. You need valid photo ID at the time of request.

Non-certified informational copies are available for genealogy and research purposes. These copies can't be used for legal identification but work well for family history projects. Hennepin County birth records go back to 1866 for Minneapolis and 1870 for the broader county. That long record history makes it a rich source for family research. The Minnesota Historical Society vital records guide covers how to access older historical records that may be held outside the county system.

Homeless youth can get a birth certificate at no cost under Minn. Stat. § 144.2255. The MDH homeless youth program explains how to apply, and Hennepin County's network of service centers makes accessing this benefit easier for people across the metro.

Minnesota Vital Records Portal

The Minnesota Department of Health vital records page provides statewide ordering information that applies to Hennepin County birth certificates and all other counties in Minnesota.

The MDH site covers ordering by mail, online, and through local county offices including the Hennepin County Vital Records Office in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Birth Records Online Order Page

The MDH online ordering page at health.state.mn.us walks you through how to order a birth certificate for anyone born in Minnesota, including Hennepin County.

The page explains what information you need to provide, accepted payment methods, and how long processing typically takes for online versus county in-person orders.

Cities in Hennepin County

Hennepin County includes Minneapolis and dozens of suburban communities. All birth records for cities and towns in Hennepin County are handled through the Vital Records Office.

Other communities in Hennepin County include Brooklyn Center, Richfield, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Crystal, and many more. All birth records for these areas go through the Hennepin County Vital Records Office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hennepin County. If you are unsure which county holds the birth record you need, check the location where the birth occurred.