Frequently Asked Questions

Birth and death information in the county is collected and sent to the State of Tennessee, Office of Vital Records. Copies of death certificates are issued upon request.  English application  Spanish application  

Certified copies of birth certificates for persons born in the state of Tennessee – in 1949 or after – may be requested from any local health department in Tennessee. To expedite your request for a birth certificate, please print and complete the application for birth certificate and bring with you to the health department. English application Spanish application  

Identification must be provided by every requestor – even if the vital records representative personally knows the customer making the request.  No exceptions.  When obtaining a birth certificate, bring the following:

ONE item from the following list:               

• Current driver’s license including issue & expiration date
• Current passport
• Military ID card
• Alien, temporary or permanent resident card
• Employment authorization card
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship or Citizenship ID card
• **ID must include photo.  Only Tennessee residents age 65 and older are not required to have photo on ID.**

OR

TWO items from the following list:

• Current pay stub or W2
• Expired driver’s license (within 1 year)
• Vehicle registration name & current address
• Voter registration card
• Military Discharge (DD214)
• Utility bill, bank statement or deposit slip with name & current address
• Medical record
• Application page of an insurance policy
• Signed social security card
• For persons with stolen IDs, please provide a copy of a police report or other official documents which support the theft.