Tennessee Vital Records: Fees, Offices & How to Request
Everything you need to request certified vital records in Tennessee — office addresses, current fees, processing times, and step-by-step instructions for birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce decrees.
Birth Certificates in Tennessee
Certified birth certificates in Tennessee are issued by the Tennessee Dept. of Health – Vital Records. In-person requests at county-level health departments are often faster than mailing to the state office.
Tennessee Vital Records Office
Office: Tennessee Dept. of Health – Vital Records
Mailing Address: 710 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 615-741-1763
Fee: $15 per certified copy
Processing (mail): 4–8 weeks mail
Website: tn.gov/health
How to Request a Tennessee Birth Certificate
- Download the official request form
Get the current form from tn.gov/health. Only use official state forms — third-party forms cause delays.
- Complete the form with full birth details
Full name at birth, date of birth, county of birth, and both parents' full names (including mother's maiden name) are required.
- Prepare a copy of your government-issued photo ID
Driver's license or state ID is standard. The form instructions specify whether a photocopy or notarized copy is required.
- Include payment of $15 per copy
Tennessee accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards (for online orders). Do not send cash.
- Mail to the address above or submit in person
For faster service, visit your county health department in person. Bring the completed form, ID, and payment.
Processing Time
4–8 weeks mail. For urgent requests, check whether Tennessee offers expedited processing for an additional fee. Call the office directly for current wait time estimates, as these change seasonally.
Death Certificates in Tennessee
Death certificates are handled by the same vital records office as birth certificates in Tennessee. Fee: $15 per certified copy. Processing time: 4–8 weeks mail.
Order at least 10–15 certified copies if settling an estate — each bank, insurance company, and government agency requires its own certified original. See our complete death certificate guide for a full list of who needs copies.
For urgent needs (death just occurred, funeral coordination): see our guide on getting a death certificate before the funeral.
Marriage Certificates in Tennessee
Marriage licenses in Tennessee are issued at the county level by County Clerk where license was issued. Certified copies are available from the county office in the county where the license was issued. Some Tennessee counties also allow requests by mail; call the specific county to confirm.
If you don't know which county issued the license, contact the Tennessee vital records office — they maintain a statewide marriage index. See our marriage certificate guide for full details.
Divorce Decrees in Tennessee
Divorce decrees are court documents, not vital records. They are held by the clerk of the court in the county where the divorce was filed. To obtain a certified copy:
- Identify the county where the divorce was filed
If unknown, the Tennessee vital records office maintains a divorce index and can tell you the county.
- Contact the court clerk in that county
Search "[county] Tennessee clerk of court" for contact information and their specific request process.
- Request a certified copy of the final decree
Provide the case number if available, or both parties' names and approximate year. Court copy fees vary by county: typically $1–$5 per page plus a certification fee.
See our complete divorce decree guide for more detail, including how to get old records.
Out-of-State Requests
If you no longer live in Tennessee but need Tennessee vital records, the process is the same — just submit by mail or online. Use the address above for the state office. The fact that you live elsewhere does not affect eligibility or processing. See our out-of-state records guide for tips specific to remote requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
For birth and death certificates, in-person service at the county health department or registrar is typically same-day or next-day. The state office in Tennessee may have longer waits for walk-in service. Call ahead to confirm hours and current wait times before making a trip.
Most Tennessee records can be expedited for an additional fee. Note "EXPEDITED" clearly on your request form and include the additional payment. For urgent needs, in-person at the county level is almost always faster than any mail or online expedited option.
Contact the Tennessee vital records office for the correction/amendment form. Bring documentation supporting the correct information. Minor clerical errors are processed administratively. See our correction guide for the general process.