Wabasha County Birth Records

Wabasha County birth records are held by the County Recorder at 625 Jefferson Avenue in Wabasha and cover births from January 1, 1870 forward. You can request a certified birth certificate in person or by mail. The office is open Monday through Friday and closes at 4:00 PM. The County Recorder also maintains death and marriage records, and the office offers several additional services that set it apart from many other small county recorder offices in Minnesota.

Wabasha County Recorder Office

The Wabasha County Recorder handles birth certificates, death records, and marriage records for the county. The office is located at 625 Jefferson Avenue in the city of Wabasha along the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota. Rachel E. Griebling serves as County Recorder. You can reach her office by phone at 651-565-3623 or by email at rgriebling@co.wabasha.mn.us. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Note the earlier closing time compared to some other counties.

The Wabasha County Recorder offers a few services that go beyond basic vital records. The office runs a free Property Watch System that alerts property owners to activity on their parcels. It also records military discharges and ordinations, which are services not every county recorder provides. If you need help with a property-related issue in addition to a birth record request, this office can assist with both. Check the co.wabasha.mn.us website for the most current office information and any updates to procedures.

How to Get a Wabasha County Birth Certificate

The Wabasha County Recorder accepts birth record requests in person and by mail. In-person is the fastest way to get a certified copy. Visit the office at 625 Jefferson Avenue in Wabasha, bring a valid photo ID, and fill out the request form. The fee is due at the time of the request. Staff will pull the record and hand you the certified copy before you leave if the record is in the office system.

Mail requests are a good option if you are not near Wabasha. Write out your request with the full name on the record, date of birth, place of birth, and your relationship to the person. Include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID. Send payment as a check or money order made out to Wabasha County Recorder. Do not mail cash. Send everything to 625 Jefferson Avenue, Wabasha, MN 55981. The office will process and mail your certified copy back to you.

If you have questions before mailing, call 651-565-3623 or send an email. The fax number is 651-565-3624 if you need to transmit documents. Staff can tell you whether the record you need is available locally or if you should order from MDH instead.

Birth Records in Wabasha County Since 1870

Wabasha County birth records begin January 1, 1870, giving the office a collection that spans more than 150 years. The county is one of the older settlements in Minnesota, and its records reflect the long history of the region along the Mississippi River. Certified birth certificates from this office show the child's full name, date and place of birth, sex, and parent information. For records from the 1870s through the early 1900s, some information may be less complete depending on how the original registration was made.

Minnesota's vital records access rules come from Minnesota Statute 144.225. Certified copies are limited to the person named on the record, their parents, legal guardians, and authorized agents. Researchers and genealogists working on family history can access records that are at least 100 years old under Minnesota Statute 144.2255, which relaxes the eligibility rules for older documents.

The Minnesota Department of Health also holds copies of birth records from across the state. For births from 1935 and later, MDH's statewide system has the records and can issue certified copies directly. The Minnesota Historical Society holds some older vital records in its collections and can be a useful resource for births from the 1800s that may not be fully digitized at the county level.

Birth Certificate Fees in Wabasha County

A certified birth certificate from the Wabasha County Recorder costs $26 for the first copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $19. These fees match the statewide schedule set by Minnesota law. The office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card for in-person payments. Mail-in requests require a check or money order.

If you need multiple copies of the same birth certificate, ordering them all in one request saves you money. The reduced rate of $19 applies to every additional copy beyond the first when ordered together. This is worth planning if you know you will need the certificate for more than one purpose, such as a passport application and a name change at the same time.

Wabasha County Recorder Website

The Wabasha County official website provides details on the Recorder's office, vital records services, and how to request birth certificates from the county office.

The site includes Rachel Griebling's contact information, office hours, and guidance on requesting records. Check it before your visit for any changes to procedures.

State and Statewide Birth Record Options

You can order a certified Wabasha County birth certificate directly from the Minnesota Department of Health birth records page rather than going through the county office. MDH handles statewide orders and can supply records for births that occurred anywhere in Minnesota. For people outside the area, this may be a more convenient route.

VitalChek is the authorized online ordering service for Minnesota vital records and connects to the MDH system. You can place an order online, pay by card, and have the certified copy mailed to you. The MDH county registrar directory lists the Wabasha County Recorder with current contact details alongside all other county offices in the state.

Cities in Wabasha County

Wabasha County is a rural county in southeastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River. The county seat of Wabasha is the largest community. All birth records for the county run through the Recorder's office at 625 Jefferson Avenue.

Communities in Wabasha County include Wabasha, Lake City, Plainview, and Mazeppa. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All residents use the Wabasha County Recorder for birth certificate requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wabasha County. Each maintains its own office for birth records. If you are not sure which county a birth occurred in, check the place of birth listed on the original document.