Bartlett Birth Records

Bartlett birth records are handled by Shelby County, not by the City of Bartlett. Bartlett residents who need a certified copy of a birth certificate go to the Shelby County Health Department Office of Vital Records in Memphis. The Bartlett City Clerk does not issue birth certificates. This page explains where to go, what to bring, how much it costs, and where to find older Shelby County birth records for genealogical research.

Which County Handles Bartlett Birth Records

Bartlett is in Shelby County. The Shelby County Health Department Office of Vital Records is the primary local office for birth certificate requests. It is located at Room 100, 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. Phone: 615-685-4700. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Shelby County office can issue birth certificates for births dated after 1924. It accepts cash and most credit and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. American Express is not accepted. For births before 1924 or births from other Tennessee counties, the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville handles the request.

The City of Bartlett has its own City Clerk at 6400 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134, phone 901-385-6449. However, the City Clerk does not issue birth certificates. The Clerk manages board records, city ordinances, and other municipal documents. Residents who contact the City of Bartlett for birth certificates will be directed to the Shelby County Health Department.

How to Get a Bartlett Birth Certificate

Three methods are available: in person, by mail, or online.

In person: Go to the Shelby County Health Department at 814 Jefferson Avenue, Room 100 in Memphis. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Fill out Form PH-1654, the standard Tennessee birth certificate application. Pay $15.00 per copy. No personal checks. Most requests are handled the same day.

By mail: Download the Form PH-1654 application. Complete it, attach a copy of your photo ID, and include a check or money order for $15.00 payable to the Tennessee Department of Health. Mail to: Tennessee Office of Vital Records, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Processing takes one to three weeks.

Online: Order through VitalChek, the only vendor authorized by Tennessee. VitalChek adds $10.00 processing to the $15.00 state fee. An optional $5.00 expedite is available. UPS delivery is available at additional cost. See the state fee schedule for all charges.

Bartlett City Government and Vital Records

The City of Bartlett provides many municipal services through its city departments, but vital records (birth, death, marriage) are not handled at the city level in Tennessee. The city refers residents to Shelby County or the state office for all vital records requests. This is the same across all Tennessee cities, regardless of population.

If you need other city documents such as permits, municipal records, or city meeting minutes, the Bartlett City Clerk at 6400 Stage Road is the right contact. For birth certificates, go to the Shelby County Health Department.

Who Can Request a Birth Record

Tennessee restricts access to birth records less than 100 years old under Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-205. This rule applies to all Shelby County births, including those in Bartlett.

Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian with court documentation, a spouse, a child, or a sibling of the named person. Legal representatives with written authorization may also apply. A valid government-issued photo ID is required. If requesting on behalf of another person, bring proof of your relationship: a birth certificate showing the relationship, a marriage certificate, or a court order.

Records over 100 years old are public. Any researcher can access them without proving eligibility. The Tennessee Early Vital Records Application (TEVA) is a free online database for early records.

Tennessee Vital Records Help

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records website has detailed guidance on obtaining birth certificates, understanding eligibility, and correcting records. For historical Shelby County birth records, the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Memphis began registering births as early as 1874, so TSLA holds some of the oldest local vital records in the state for the Shelby County area.

The CDC guide to Tennessee vital records provides a concise overview of state procedures and where to write for records.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Bartlett have birth records pages with local office details and request information.