Frequently Asked Questions

You must complete an application. Use the Birth Certificate Application English (PDF) or Birth Certificate Application Spanish (PDF) form to order a certificate. You must sign and date the application in front of a notary public if applying by mail or in front of county staff if applying in person.

Requirements to Obtain A Death Certificate

• You must meet the legal requirements to get a certified birth certificate.
• You must complete an application to request a certificate.
• You must show valid identification.
• You can get a birth certificate only if you have tangible interest.
• You must qualify to get a confidential record in addition to having tangible interest.
• You must pay a fee of $26. If you order more than one copy, each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time is $19. Fees are non-refundable, per Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226.
• You must sign your application.

If No Record Exists

You will receive a “Statement of No Birth Record Found” if you request a certificate and the state or county vital records office cannot identify or find a record using the information you provide.

Payment

Payment is required to get a birth certificate and most other vital records documents.

The fees are the same at all county vital records offices statewide. See Mower County payment options above. The State Office of Vital Records accepts payment by credit card (MasterCard, VISA, or Discover), check or money order. 

Processing

All certificates are mailed using First Class Mail. If you would like your certificate returned by priority or overnight mail please provide the appropriate self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the county for more information at 507-437-9535. We are not responsible for deliveries that do not require signatures.

If you want a copy of a record for a birth that occurred in another state, see the National Center for Health Statistics website for contact information.

If you need a birth certificate quickly, make your request in person or by mail to one of the 108 county vital records offices in Minnesota.

If you order a certificate from the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health, please allow approximately two to three weeks for the office to process your request. Requests for changes or other services in addition to a certificate may take longer. The State Office of Vital Records offers rush processing for an additional fee, and rush shipping for an additional fee.  

If you mailed your request to a county vital records office, check with that office to find out when your request will be processed.

In Person Service

Certified records of deaths from 1997 to the present are available from any Minnesota county. Records for 1908 to 1997 deaths are only available from the county of death or Minnesota Department of Health. Pre-1908 records are only available from the county where the death occurred. In person service is available only at county vital records offices; the State Office of Vital Records does not have walk-in service.

Service by Mail

For service by Mail, use the Death Certificate Application by Mail (PDF) form to order a certificate. You must sign and date the application in front of a notary public if applying by mail. You can mail your application to:

Mower County Auditor/Treasurer
201 1st Street NE, Suite 7
Austin, MN 55912  

Multiple Certificates

If ordering for multiple persons, please complete an application for each person.