Winona County Birth Records

Winona County birth records go back to 1870 and are held by the county's Vital Statistics office in Winona. The county offers two locations where you can request birth certificates: the main office at 202 West Third Street and the Winona County License Center at 1213 Gilmore Avenue. Both locations handle birth record requests in person. If you need to find or obtain a certified birth certificate from Winona County, either office can help during regular business hours.

Winona County Vital Statistics

Winona County's Vital Statistics office handles birth certificates, death records, and marriage records for the county. The primary location is at 202 West Third Street in Winona. You can call this office at 507-457-6414. A second location is available at the Winona County License Center, 1213 Gilmore Avenue, Winona, phone 507-457-6325. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visit the co.winona.mn.us website for more details.

Having two locations in the city of Winona gives residents some flexibility. If one office is busy or closed for any reason, you have the other option nearby. Both locations operate under the same county vital records system, so either can pull birth records and issue certified copies. The License Center location on Gilmore Avenue may be more convenient for residents on that side of town. Call either office before visiting if you are not sure which location is better for your needs.

How to Request Winona County Birth Certificates

Birth certificate requests in Winona County are handled in person at either of the two county locations. For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID, fill out the request form, and pay the fee. Staff will process your request and provide the certified copy before you leave if the record is in the local system. Both the main office and the License Center can handle requests.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write out the name on the record, date of birth, and your relationship to the person. Include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID. Send a check or money order payable to Winona County to the primary office at 202 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987. Do not mail cash. The office will mail the certified copy back after processing your request.

If you have questions about which location to contact or what documents you need to bring, call either number listed above. Staff at both offices can answer questions about the request process and tell you what information they need to pull the specific record you are looking for.

Winona County Birth Records Since 1870

Winona County's vital records go back to 1870, giving the collection a long history that spans from the early settlement era through today. Winona is one of the older cities in Minnesota, and its records reflect that deep history 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 and 1880s, some fields may vary in completeness depending on how the original registration was made.

The Minnesota Department of Health holds birth records statewide and can issue certified copies for Winona County births from 1935 forward. Access to certified copies follows Minnesota Statute 144.225. Certified copies go to the person named on the record, their parents or legal guardians, and authorized representatives. For records at least 100 years old, Minnesota Statute 144.2255 provides broader access for genealogical and historical research.

The Minnesota Historical Society maintains older vital records in its collections and can be a useful resource for researchers looking for Winona County births from the 1800s that may be incomplete or difficult to read at the county level.

Birth Certificate Fees in Winona County

A certified birth certificate from Winona County Vital Statistics costs $26 for the first copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $19. Payment is accepted in cash, check, money order, or credit card at in-person visits. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to Winona County.

If you need several copies of the same certificate, ordering them all at once saves money. The $19 rate for additional copies only applies when ordered together in a single request. Placing separate requests later means paying the full $26 rate each time.

Winona County Official Website

The Winona County official website provides contact information for both Vital Statistics locations and guidance on requesting birth certificates and other vital records in the county.

Check the county site for current office hours, any changes to procedures, and contact details for both the main office and the License Center location.

Ordering Winona County Birth Certificates Through the State

The Minnesota Department of Health birth records page accepts orders for certified Winona County birth certificates. MDH can issue copies for births from 1935 forward from its statewide system. Online ordering is available through VitalChek, which connects to MDH's system. This is a convenient option if you prefer to order online rather than visiting a county office. The MDH registrar directory lists Winona County Vital Statistics with current contact details for both locations.

Cities in Winona County

Winona is the county seat and largest city in Winona County. All birth records for the county go through the Winona County Vital Statistics offices at 202 West Third Street or 1213 Gilmore Avenue in Winona.

Other communities in Winona County include Goodview, St. Charles, and Lewiston. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All county residents use Winona County Vital Statistics for birth certificate requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Winona County. Each has its own office for birth records.