Find Birth Records in Pope County

Pope County birth records go back to 1870 and are held by the County Recorder in Glenwood. If you need to search for or obtain a birth certificate from Pope County, the recorder's office accepts requests in person, by mail, and by email. Certificates are typically mailed the same day the office receives your request. The county also offers special programs for youth and has forms available for several types of birth certificate requests. This page covers what you need to know to get started.

Pope County Recorder Office

The Pope County Recorder at 130 East Minnesota Avenue in Glenwood holds birth certificates and other vital records going back to 1870. The recorder handles certified and non-certified copies and accepts requests by in person, mail, and email. One thing that sets Pope County apart from many county offices is that certificates are typically mailed the same day the office receives your request, which speeds up the turnaround for mail submissions. Phone and email inquiries are welcome before you send your formal request.

Multiple request forms are available from the Pope County Recorder. These include the standard Application for Birth Certificate, an Application for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Birth Certificate, and a Statement of Identity form. You can contact the recorder's office directly to get the right form for your situation. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The birth and death certificates page is at popecountymn.gov/birth-death-certificates.

Minnesota County Vital Records Directory

The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a directory of county vital records offices across the state at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html. The screenshot below shows the state's county directory page, which lists contact information for all 87 county recorders including Pope County.

The state directory is a useful backup if you need to confirm recorder contact details or look up a neighboring county's office before sending your request.

How to Request a Pope County Birth Certificate

Pope County accepts birth certificate requests three ways: in person, by mail, and by email. In person is the most direct. Go to 130 East Minnesota Avenue in Glenwood during office hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will look up the record, make a copy, and take payment. Most in-person requests are completed the same day.

Mail requests are processed quickly at this office. Certificates are typically mailed the same day the recorder receives your request, making this an efficient option for those who can't visit Glenwood in person. Include the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, your name and return address, your relationship to the person named, and a copy of your photo ID. Enclose a check or money order for the fee. Do not send cash by mail. Address your envelope to Pope County Recorder, 130 East Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334.

Email requests can be sent to pub.recorder@popecountymn.gov. Contact the office first to confirm what to include in an email submission and how to handle payment. Online ordering is also available through the Minnesota Department of Health at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/birthnc.html and through VitalChek at vitalchek.com.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, certified copies are only issued to authorized persons. You must be the person named, a parent, legal guardian, or a legal representative to qualify for a certified copy.

Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program

Minnesota has a program that allows youth 24 years old or younger who are experiencing homelessness to get a free certified birth certificate. This program went into effect on January 1, 2022. Pope County has a specific application form for this program. Contact the recorder's office at pub.recorder@popecountymn.gov or by phone at 320-634-7840 to get the Application for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Birth Certificate form.

The state-level information for this program is at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/homelessyouth.html. The page explains eligibility, what to bring, and where to apply. You can apply through a county office like Pope County or through certain shelter or service organizations. The recorder's office in Glenwood can walk you through the process if you have questions.

Pope County Birth Certificate Fees

Pope County charges $26 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional certified copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $19. These fees are set by state law under Minn. Stat. § 144.2255. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card. For mail requests, use a check or money order payable to Pope County. In-person payments can be made by any of the accepted methods.

If no record is found after a search, a portion of the fee may be retained to cover the search cost. Order all copies at once if you need more than one to take advantage of the lower additional-copy price. Two certified copies together cost $45, compared to $52 if ordered at separate times.

Historical Birth Records in Pope County

Pope County's birth records date to 1870, covering the early years of the county in west-central Minnesota. Records from the 1870s and 1880s may have shorter entries than modern ones, but they often include the key details needed for genealogical research. The recorder's office in Glenwood can assist with older requests and can point you toward the right records if you're not sure where to start. A Statement of Identity form is available from the recorder for situations where identification is complicated.

The Minnesota Historical Society holds older genealogical collections and vital records at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/birth. Their archive includes records more than 125 years old that have been moved to the public collection. For a full list of county recorder offices and contact details, see health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html. The main MDH vital records page is at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords.

Cities in Pope County

Pope County includes Glenwood and several small towns throughout the county. All birth records for events in Pope County are held by the County Recorder in Glenwood.

No cities in Pope County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. For birth records from any address in Pope County, contact the recorder's office at 130 East Minnesota Avenue in Glenwood.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pope County. If you need a birth record from outside Pope County, contact the recorder in the county where the birth took place.