Birth Certificates

Certified Birth Certificates

You can purchase a birth certificate for anyone born in Minnesota from Jan. 1, 1935 to the present. Prior to 1935, records for Dakota County births are available at the Administration Center.

Locations

See business hours.

Don't wait in line

Skip the lines by making an appointment at service and license centers.

Reserve an appointment

Drop box available

Paper work can be submitted via drop boxes at each location.

Walk-ins available

Service and license centers are open for walk-ins. However, making an appointment is encouraged.

View walk-in wait times

Fees

First certified birth record: $26
Each additional certified copy of the same record issued at the same time: $19

Payment options

Cash, check, money orders, and credit or debit cards (Discover, Visa or MasterCard) are accepted. A 2.49-percent convenience fee is charged for credit and debit cards on this county service.

Make checks payable to: Dakota County

Purchasing in person

A person must be an authorized requestor as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health by filling out a Certified Birth Certificate Application.

Bring the unsigned form and fees to one of our locations.

Show proof of identity such as a valid driver’s license or passport. A deputy registrar will witness your signature.

If you don’t have proof of identity, you must bring an identifying witness, a person that has known you for at least two years and has a valid ID.

Purchasing by mail

A person must be an authorized requestor as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health by filling out a By Mail Certified Birth Certificate Application. To make processing easier, make sure to write your return address legibly.

You must sign the completed form in front of a notary—the notary’s signature and stamp must be on the application.

Mail application and fees to:

Northern Service Center
Service Desk
1 Mendota Road West
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Long form birth certificates

Minnesota does not issue long form birth certificates. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends purchasing a certified birth certificate and a non-certified birth certificate in place of a long form birth certificate.