Obtaining a birth certificate is a crucial step for various life events, from enrolling in school to applying for a passport or driver’s license. While traditionally acquired in person or by mail, the digital age offers a convenient alternative: ordering your birth certificate online. This guide will walk you through the process of getting your birth certificate online, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.
Ordering Your Birth Certificate Online
For those seeking the ease of online ordering, Tennessee Vital Records has partnered with VitalChek, a trusted third-party vendor. VitalChek is the only official vendor authorized to process online orders for Tennessee birth certificates using credit or debit cards. This partnership ensures a secure and legitimate process, although it’s important to note that VitalChek does charge additional fees for their services.
Steps to Order Online via VitalChek:
- Visit the VitalChek Website: Navigate to the official VitalChek website specifically for Tennessee Vital Records. You can find direct links on the Tennessee Department of Health’s Vital Records page for both shipping and in-person pickup options in Nashville.
- Select the Certificate Type: Choose “Birth Certificate” from the available options.
- Verify Eligibility and Requirements: Ensure you are a qualified applicant. Typically, this includes the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardian, spouse, child, or legal representative. You will likely need to provide identification and potentially documentation to prove your relationship.
- Complete the Online Application: Fill out the online application form accurately and completely. This will include details about the person named on the birth certificate, your relationship to them, and your contact and shipping information.
- Choose Shipping or Nashville Pickup: Select whether you need the certificate shipped to your address or if you prefer to pick it up in person at their Nashville location. The pickup option is useful if you are in the Nashville area and need the certificate faster, but it requires physical pickup.
- Pay the Fees: Pay the required fees using a credit or debit card. This will include the vital records fee and VitalChek’s processing fees. Be aware of all fees before finalizing your order.
- Review and Submit Your Order: Carefully review all the information you’ve entered before submitting your order. Once submitted, you will typically receive an order confirmation and tracking information if you chose shipping.
Other Methods to Obtain a Birth Certificate
While online ordering offers convenience, it’s not the only way to obtain your birth certificate. Tennessee Vital Records also allows for obtaining certificates in person and by mail.
Obtaining a Birth Certificate by Mail
Ordering by mail is a traditional method that may be preferable for those who prefer not to use online services or pay online processing fees.
Steps to Order by Mail:
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Download and Complete the Application: Download the “Application for Certified Copy of Certificate of Birth” form from the Tennessee Department of Health website. Fill it out completely and sign it.
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Provide Identification: Include a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID that includes your signature or a notarized application. In some cases, a mother’s hospital-issued birth certificate copy (if recent) may be acceptable for a newborn’s certificate. Refer to the ID requirements on the Tennessee Department of Health website for alternative options if you lack these forms of ID.
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Include Payment: Send a check or money order payable to “Tennessee Vital Records” for the correct fee. Refer to the fee schedule on their website.
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Mail Your Application: Mail the completed application, identification, and payment to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Obtaining a Birth Certificate In Person
For those near Nashville or a local county health department, obtaining a birth certificate in person provides the quickest access.
In-Person Options:
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Tennessee Vital Records Office in Nashville:
- Address: Tennessee Vital Records, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243 (Vital Records Entrance is on the Rosa Parks Blvd. side).
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Lobby and Office Hours).
- Payment: Cash, check, credit/debit card, or money order are accepted.
Tennessee Vital Records office building in Nashville, Tennessee
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Local County Health Departments: Most county health departments in Tennessee can issue birth certificates registered statewide. This eliminates the need to travel to the specific county where the birth occurred. Check with your local health department for their hours and specific procedures. Identification and fees are required, and you may need to provide documentation to prove entitlement if you are not a parent, child, or spouse of the person named on the certificate.
Conclusion
Getting your birth certificate online is a convenient and accessible option through VitalChek, the authorized vendor for Tennessee Vital Records. While online ordering involves additional fees, it saves time and travel. Alternatively, mail and in-person options remain available for those who prefer traditional methods. Choose the method that best suits your needs and ensure you have the necessary identification and documentation to obtain your certified birth certificate successfully.
