Tennessee residents can order a certified birth certificate online through VitalChek, the only vendor authorized by the state to process credit and debit card transactions for online orders. The Tennessee Office of Vital Records doesn’t accept online orders directly, so all web-based requests are routed through this independent partner and then fulfilled by the state. Certified copies cover births registered in Tennessee since 1949, and standard processing costs a bit more than ordering in person or by mail.
Who Can Order a Certificate
Tennessee restricts birth certificate requests to eligible applicants. You can request a copy if you are:
- The person named on the certificate
- A parent, child, or spouse of the person named on the certificate
- A legal guardian with documentation proving custody
- Someone with a legitimate legal interest, supported by documents such as custody orders, letters of testamentary, or insurance policies naming you as a beneficiary
If you’re applying on someone else’s behalf and don’t fall into these categories, you’ll need to provide entitlement documents to prove your right to the certificate.
How to Apply Online
- Go to VitalChek’s website (www.vitalchek.com) — this is the only authorized online vendor; other websites offering to process Tennessee vital records aren’t approved by the state and often charge more without delivering an actual certified copy.
- Select Tennessee and choose the birth certificate service.
- Enter the registrant’s details, including full name, date of birth, and parents’ names.
- Confirm your eligibility and relationship to the person named on the certificate.
- Upload or verify identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Pay online by credit or debit card, which will include VitalChek’s processing fee in addition to the state fee.
- Choose delivery. Standard mail is included; overnight UPS shipping is available for an extra charge.
Online Ordering Fees
Ordering through VitalChek costs more than requesting in person or by mail, since the state fee is combined with the vendor’s processing and expedite charges:
- State certificate fee: $15.00 per copy
- One-time agency expedite fee: $5.00
- VitalChek phone order processing fee: $10.00 (if ordering by phone instead of online)
- Optional overnight UPS shipping: additional $19.50
A Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAOP) copy can be added for $5.00 if it’s attached to the birth record and ordered alongside the certificate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an unauthorized third-party website. The Tennessee Department of Health has specifically warned residents about vendors that aren’t VitalChek, which often charge significantly more and sometimes only deliver a completed application rather than an actual certified copy.
- Assuming online orders go directly to the state. Tennessee’s Office of Vital Records does not accept online orders itself — all web requests are processed through VitalChek.
- Forgetting proof of relationship or custody documents. Applicants who aren’t the parent, child, or spouse of the person named on the certificate need to provide legal documentation to support their request.
- Overlooking the birth year cutoff. Only births registered in Tennessee since 1949 are available as certified copies through this process.
Other Ways to Apply
If you’d rather not use the online vendor, Tennessee offers other options:
- By phone through VitalChek at 800-241-8322, with a $10 processing fee plus the standard $15 state fee.
- By mail to the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville, paying by check or money order for a non-refundable $15 fee.
- In person at any county health department statewide or at the state Office of Vital Records — no need to visit the county where the birth occurred, since all offices can issue certificates for any Tennessee birth.
Official Contacts
Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
Website:
[Login to see the link]
Online/Phone Ordering (Authorized Vendor):
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Application Forms:
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Phone:
(615) 741-1763
Mailing Address:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
United States
Join The Discussion
Ordering a birth certificate online can save time, but Tennessee’s use of a single authorized vendor and added fees sometimes surprises first-time applicants. Have you ordered a Tennessee birth certificate through VitalChek recently? Share your experience with processing times, costs, or any tips for avoiding delays — especially if you had to prove a relationship to the person named on the certificate.
