Gavin Howe
In Tennessee, birth certificates can be obtained by the registrant, their spouse, children, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives. A mother-in-law would be considered a legal guardian and would need to follow the instructions for requesting a certificate, including submitting a copy of her guardianship papers. The requestor must provide valid identification and pay the required fee. Tennessee law allows the creation of birth certificates only for persons born in Tennessee, and the process involves submitting an application and providing proper identification. Corrections to birth certificates, such as adding a father's name or changing a name, also require specific documentation and procedures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can request a birth certificate? | The registrant themselves (the person named on the certificate), spouse, children, parents, legal guardian, or authorized representative. |
| What documents are required? | Valid proof of identification. If the requestor is not a qualified applicant, they will need to support their entitlement to the record requested at the time of application submission. |
| What forms of payment are accepted? | Cash, check, credit/debit cards, or money orders. |
| Where can the birth certificate be ordered? | Online at www.VitalChek.com or in person at the Lentz Public Health building, Office of Vital Records, Nashville, TN. |
| What are the timings for in-person applications? | Applications are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Metro Holidays. |
| Is there a specific form to be filled out? | Yes, download the "Application for True Copy of Certificate of Birth" form. |
| Is there a specific fee for the application? | Yes, a required fee must be paid, and an additional fee for a certified copy of the new certificate. |
| Can a mother's copy of a birth certificate be used for legal purposes? | Generally, no. However, it can be used to satisfy identification requirements when obtaining a certified copy of the child's birth certificate. |
| Can a birth certificate be ordered for a child adopted from another country? | No, Tennessee law allows the creation of birth certificates only for persons born in Tennessee. A report of foreign birth can be created for a child born in another country but adopted by a Tennessee resident. |
| Can the name on a birth certificate be corrected? | Yes, a notarized affidavit with the necessary details must be submitted, along with a copy of the parent's birth certificate and the required amendment fee. |
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What You'll Learn
Mother-in-law eligibility
In Tennessee, a mother-in-law is eligible to request a copy of her child's spouse's birth certificate, as long as she follows the instructions for requesting a certificate and provides valid proof of identification. She can also request a copy of her grandchild's birth certificate if she is their legal guardian and provides guardianship papers.
According to the Tennessee government website, birth certificates are issued to the registrant (the person named on the certificate), spouse, children, parents, legal guardian, or authorized representative. The requestor must provide valid proof. Additionally, others who can demonstrate a need for the protection of their personal or property rights can also obtain a certified copy.
To request a birth certificate, an individual can fill out a paper order form and present proper identification at the Customer Service Window. They can also download the application form and mail it to the Vital Records Office. Online purchases can also be made through the State of Tennessee website, VitalChek.com.
It is important to note that Tennessee law only allows the creation of birth certificates for persons born in Tennessee. For a child adopted from another country, a report of foreign birth can be created and filed, but specific documentation is required, including the Certificate of Adoption and the original certified copy of the final order of adoption issued by a Tennessee court.
In terms of fees, the Tennessee government website mentions checks or money orders payable to the relevant health department. There may be additional fees for corrections or amendments to birth certificates, and these requests may take longer to process.
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Online ordering
To order a birth certificate online in Tennessee, you can use the state-operated website, VitalChek.com, or the independent website, USBirthCertificates.com.
VitalChek.com
This is the official website for ordering birth certificates in Tennessee. The Tennessee Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of birth certificates for events that occurred within the state. The cost to process a certified copy of a birth certificate in Tennessee is $15, which must be provided along with your completed application.
USBirthCertificates.com
This is an independent website that provides vital records application preparation assistance services. The site allows you to fill out the form online and submit it to the government. An additional processing fee is included for this service.
Eligibility
Tennessee birth certificates can be issued to the registrant themselves (the person named on the certificate), the spouse, children, parents, legal guardian, or authorized representative. If your name is not listed on the birth certificate, you will need to provide proof of relationship or kinship with the registrant.
Identification
Valid proof of identification is required when submitting your application. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check, money order, and most credit and debit cards, but not American Express.
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Paper order forms
To order a birth certificate in Tennessee, you must be a qualified applicant, which includes the registrant themselves (the person named on the certificate), spouse, children, parents, legal guardian, or authorized representative. If you are not a qualified applicant, you will need to support your entitlement to the record requested at the time your application is submitted or have a qualified applicant submit the application. Entitlement documents can include custody orders, letters of testamentary, and insurance policies denoting beneficiaries.
To order a birth certificate, you have the option to fill out a paper order form and present proper identification at the Customer Service Window. Order forms are located on the counter to the left as you enter the office. You will need to provide valid ID, which can include a current driver's license, military ID card, U.S. Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Citizen ID card, or, if you don't have any of these, two items from the following list: utility bill, bank statement, or deposit slip with your name and address pre-printed.
The mother's copy of the birth certificate (issued at the hospital at the time of birth) may be used for identification when obtaining a newborn's birth certificate, but it must be dated within the last two calendar years. If none of these documents are available, see ID requirements for alternatives.
Tennessee law allows the creation of birth certificates only for persons born in Tennessee. Birth certificates can be issued going back 100 years. Any birth occurring over 100 years ago requires the requestor to go to the Tennessee Archives.
Payment can be made by cash, check, credit/debit cards, or money order. If you want a certified copy of the new certificate, please include an additional fee for the desired number of copies.
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Accepted payment methods
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records does not directly accept online orders. However, the state of Tennessee has authorized an independent company, VitalChek, to process credit/debit card transactions for online orders. An additional processing fee is included by VitalChek for this service.
The Shelby County Health Department Office of Vital Records accepts cash and most credit and debit cards, except American Express. Personal checks are not accepted.
The Metro Public Health Department accepts cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records also accepts cash, check, credit/debit cards, or money orders at their customer service window.
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Legal guardian requests
In Tennessee, a mother-in-law can request a birth certificate as long as she is the legal guardian of the child. In this case, she should follow the standard instructions for requesting a birth certificate and include a copy of her guardianship papers with her request.
A legal guardian can request a birth certificate in Tennessee by following the standard instructions for requesting a birth certificate and including a copy of their guardianship papers with their request. The requestor must provide valid proof of identification and pay the required fee.
Certified copies of birth certificates are typically available for issue 5-10 business days after the birth. If the request is made by mail, an additional four to six weeks should be allowed for delivery. The cost for a standard certified copy of a birth certificate is $15, and each additional copy is also $15.
It is important to note that only certified copies of birth certificates issued by the state of Tennessee are valid for persons born in Tennessee. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records can provide a letter certifying that no record exists if no birth record is found, and this letter is often accepted in place of a birth certificate.
For those who have adopted a child from another country, Tennessee law does not allow the creation of a Tennessee birth certificate. However, a report of foreign birth can be created and filed for a child born in another country but adopted by a Tennessee resident. This requires specific documentation, including the Certificate of Adoption and the original certified copy of the final order of adoption issued by a Tennessee court.
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Frequently asked questions
No, only the registrant (the person named on the certificate), spouse, children, parents, legal guardian, or authorized representative can request a birth certificate.
She can request it as an authorized representative, but she will need to provide valid proof of her need for the protection of her personal or property rights.
Tennessee law allows the creation of birth certificates only for persons born in Tennessee. However, if you were adopted by a Tennessee resident, a report of foreign birth can be created and filed.
