Find Birth Records in Nobles County

Nobles County birth records date back to 1872 and are maintained by the County Recorder in Worthington. If you need to search for or obtain a birth certificate in Nobles County, the recorder's office is the main local source. You can visit in person, mail a written request, or order through the Minnesota Department of Health if the record is in the state system. This page covers how the process works, what the office requires, and where to look for older or hard-to-find records.

Nobles County Recorder Office

The Nobles County Recorder handles birth certificates and other vital records for events that took place in the county. The office is on the second floor of the county building in Worthington. Staff can search records by name and birth year, make certified copies, and walk you through the request process. The recorder's records go back to 1872, so you may find older family records here.

Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID when you come in. If you're not sure whether a record exists or what name it was filed under, the staff can help you search. Mail requests are also accepted but take more time. Allow several business days for mail requests to be processed and returned.

Requesting a Nobles County Birth Certificate

Getting a birth certificate from Nobles County is straightforward. In-person requests are the fastest option. Come to Room 212 at the county building during business hours. Staff will take your request, verify your ID, and process the copy while you wait or within the same visit in most cases.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full name on the certificate, the date of birth, the city or location of birth, your name and mailing address, your relationship to the person named, and a copy of your photo ID. Enclose a check or money order for the correct fee. Cash should not be sent by mail. Send everything to 315 - 10th St., Room 212, Worthington, MN 56187.

The Minnesota Department of Health also holds statewide birth records and accepts online orders through VitalChek. Visit health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/birthnc.html to learn how to order a birth certificate online. This option can be convenient if you can't travel to Worthington or prefer to handle things digitally.

Minnesota Vital Records and Birth Certificates

The Minnesota Department of Health maintains birth records from across the state and provides guidance on how to request certificates at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords. The page below shows the MDH vital records portal, which covers ordering instructions, fees, and authorized requestors.

The state site is a good backup resource if you are not sure whether to order from the county or state level, or if the birth occurred before reliable local records were kept.

Nobles County Birth Record Fees

The fee for the first certified copy of a birth certificate in Nobles County is $26. If you order more than one copy at the same time, each additional copy is $19. These amounts are set by Minn. Stat. § 144.2255 and apply across Minnesota county offices.

Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card. For mail requests, use a check or money order made out to Nobles County. In-person visits allow credit card payments. Fees are not refunded if the search turns up no record, though a partial amount may cover the search cost. If you are ordering multiple copies for different family members or legal uses, ordering them all at once saves money.

Note: Youth 24 or younger who are experiencing homelessness may qualify for a free birth certificate through a Minnesota state program. Details are at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/homelessyouth.html.

Who Can Access Birth Records in Nobles County

Certified birth certificates are restricted records under Minnesota law. Minn. Stat. § 144.225 allows certified copies only to the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse or child of the person named, or a legal representative. You must show valid ID and explain your relationship to the record when requesting a certified copy.

Non-certified copies are available to a wider group and work well for genealogy or personal research. They are informational only and not accepted as legal proof of identity. If your need is research rather than legal documentation, the non-certified copy is a simpler and sometimes cheaper option.

For genealogy, the Minnesota Historical Society holds older vital records and related documents. Their collections can be searched online at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/birth. Some records from more than 125 years ago have been transferred to the public archive.

Cities in Nobles County

Nobles County includes Worthington and several smaller towns and townships. All birth records for events that occurred in the county are filed with the Nobles County Recorder.

No cities in Nobles County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. For birth records tied to any community in Nobles County, the recorder's office in Worthington handles all requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Nobles County. If you need birth records from a nearby area, check the specific county where the birth took place.