Polk County Birth Records

Polk County birth records go back to 1875 and are managed by the County Recorder in Crookston. The recorder's office handles certified and non-certified copies of birth certificates through in-person visits, mail requests, and online ordering through state systems. A public viewing station is available for those who want to search on their own. If you need to find or request a birth certificate from Polk County, this page covers the process, fees, and the different ways you can submit your request.

Polk County Recorder Office

The Polk County Recorder at 612 N Broadway in Crookston holds birth records going back to 1875. The office manages certified and non-certified copies for the public and handles both walk-in and mail requests. A public viewing station is available at the recorder's office, which lets you search index records yourself before placing a formal order. This is useful if you are unsure of exact dates or name spellings.

The Crookston office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-ins are welcome. Staff can search by name and year, make certified copies with the county seal, and answer questions about what records are available. Bring a valid photo ID if you visit in person. For mail requests, all details and payment must be included before you send your letter.

Polk County Birth Certificates Page

The Polk County birth certificates page at polkcountymn.gov/199/Birth-Certificates provides information on how to request a certificate, what identification to bring, and what fees apply. The screenshot below shows the county's birth certificate page.

Review the county page before submitting a request to confirm current fees, required documentation, and any updates to the request process.

Requesting a Polk County Birth Certificate

In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. Visit 612 N Broadway in Crookston during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to provide the name on the certificate, the date and place of birth, and your relationship to the person named. Staff will search the record, make a certified copy, and take payment before you leave.

Mail requests are accepted. Write a letter with all relevant details: the full name on the record, the birth date, the location of birth, your name and mailing address, your relationship to the person named, and a photocopy of your ID. Enclose a check or money order payable to Polk County for the correct fee. Send your request to Polk County Recorder, 612 N Broadway, PO Box 397, Crookston, MN 56716-0397. Allow several business days for processing and return.

Online ordering through the Minnesota Department of Health is available at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/birthnc.html. VitalChek at vitalchek.com processes online orders for a service fee. This is helpful if you live outside the Crookston area and prefer not to handle the request by mail.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, certified copies are restricted to authorized persons, including the person named, a parent, legal guardian, or qualified legal representative.

Polk County Birth Record Fees

Polk County follows the statewide fee schedule for vital records set by Minn. Stat. § 144.2255. A certified birth certificate costs $26 for the first copy. Each additional certified copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $19. A non-certified copy costs $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Non-certified copies are informational only and not valid as legal identification documents.

Accepted payment types include cash, check, money order, and credit card. For mail requests, use a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail. Credit card payments can be made at the counter in person. Fees are not refunded if no record is found, as the fee covers the search as well as the copy itself.

Older Polk County Birth Records

Polk County has birth records going back to 1875. Records from the 1870s through the early 1900s may be less detailed than those from more recent years, but they often include the child's name, birth date and location, and the names of the parents. The public viewing station at the county recorder's office lets you search old index books and microfilm at no charge before ordering a certified copy.

The Minnesota Historical Society holds older genealogical records and vital record collections at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/birth. Their archive may include records from more than 125 years ago that have been transferred to the public collection. The state directory of county recorder offices is at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html. Qualifying youth experiencing homelessness may get a free birth certificate at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/homelessyouth.html.

Cities in Polk County

Polk County includes Crookston and several other small communities throughout the Red River Valley area. All birth records for events in the county are filed with the Polk County Recorder in Crookston.

No cities in Polk County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. For birth records from any address in the county, contact the recorder's office at 612 N Broadway in Crookston.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Polk County. If the birth occurred outside Polk County, contact the appropriate neighboring county office.