History

• Tennessee did not begin keeping records of live births statewide until 1908. Before that, some cities, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, kept records. The Tennessee State Libraries and Archives has birth records from Memphis dating as early as 1871.
  
  In 1935, the Social Security Administration required a birth certificate to apply for benefits. At the request of individuals, Tennessee issued delayed birth certificates for those born between 1869 and 1910.
  
  

Requesting a Copy

• Birth records prior to 1914 are available through the Tennessee State Libraries and Archive. Records later than 1914 can be requested from the Office of Vital Records in person or by mail. Applications are available online at the link in Resources.
  
  The cost for a certified copy of the original birth certificate is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. A certified copy can also be printed from computer records for those born after 1949. These records cost $8 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy.
  
  

Adoption

• Children who have been adopted in the state of Tennessee cannot simply request their birth certificates. All identifying information is sealed after the adoption has been fully processed and isn't opened without special circumstances. A request can be made at the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.
  
  

Changing a record

• There are circumstances when a birth certificate may need to be changed. If the biological mother and father marry after the birth, they are able to update the record of their child. There is a fee for preparing a replacement and issuing a certified copy. If the biological mother is unmarried and the biological father wishes add his name to the birth certificate, he can do this by completing the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity at any time before the child is 19 years old.
  
  

Seals

• All certified copies of birth certificates issued by the Office of Vital Records have a raised seal. Sometimes, especially when needed for foreign documents, a birth certificate needs an additional seal called an apostille seal. This can be requested from the Office of Vital records when the certificate is ordered. For an additional fee of $2, the office will forward the birth certificate to the Tennessee Secretary of State who will apply the apostille and return the document to the requester.