Search Clarksville Birth Records

Clarksville birth records are handled by Montgomery County, not by Clarksville city government. Anyone born in or near Clarksville who needs a certified copy of their birth certificate will work through the Montgomery County Health Department or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville. This page explains the local office details, what the process involves, how much it costs, and how to find older historical records for Clarksville and Montgomery County births.

Which County Handles Clarksville Birth Records

Clarksville is located in Montgomery County, and the Montgomery County Health Department is the local office for vital records services. The health department is at 330 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040. Phone: (931) 648-5747. The department can issue birth certificates for any Tennessee birth through VRISM, the statewide electronic system that links all 95 county health departments. That means even if you were born in a different Tennessee county, the Montgomery County office can still process your request.

The Montgomery County Clerk's office is located at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040, phone (931) 648-5711. The Clerk maintains a range of county records including marriage licenses, but birth certificates are issued through the health department or the state office, not through the Clerk. Both the health department and the Clerk are accessible through the Montgomery County government website.

For residents who want to contact the state office directly, the Tennessee Office of Vital Records is at 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 741-1763. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with extended service on Tuesday and Thursday until 6:00 PM.

How to Get a Clarksville Birth Certificate

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

In person: Visit the Montgomery County Health Department at 330 Pageant Lane in Clarksville. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Fill out Form PH-1654, the standard Tennessee birth certificate application, and pay $15.00 per copy. Most in-person requests are handled the same day.

By mail: Download the application form from the state vital records site. Complete Form PH-1654, attach a photocopy of your 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. Mail requests typically take one to three weeks.

Online: Use VitalChek, the only online vendor authorized by the state of Tennessee. VitalChek adds $10.00 processing to the $15.00 state fee. An optional $5.00 expedite speeds up handling. UPS delivery costs extra. Check the state fee schedule for current totals.

Tennessee Birth Records Amendment Process

Sometimes a birth certificate needs to be corrected after it is issued. Tennessee has a formal process for this. Common amendments include adding a father's name, correcting a misspelled name, or updating a birth date that was recorded incorrectly.

Clarksville residents can start the amendment process at the Montgomery County Health Department or contact the Tennessee Office of Vital Records directly. The state office can walk you through what documentation is needed for the specific type of change you are requesting. Most amendments require supporting documents like a hospital record, doctor's statement, or court order depending on what is being changed.

Fees and What to Expect

The fee is $15.00 per certified copy. This applies whether you request in person, by mail, or online. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is also $15.00.

VitalChek adds its own fees on top of the state fee. The processing fee is $10.00. Expedite service is $5.00 extra. Delivery by UPS adds more cost on top of that. So if you use VitalChek and want expedited handling with UPS shipping, the total is well above $15.00. The VitalChek fees go to VitalChek, not to the state.

The state's fee schedule page has current pricing for all vital records services. Check it before you order to avoid any surprises. Note: The state does not accept personal checks for walk-in requests. Bring cash or a debit/credit card if visiting in person.

Who Can Request a Birth Certificate

Tennessee restricts access to birth records less than 100 years old. Not everyone can request a certified copy. This rule applies statewide, including in Clarksville and Montgomery County.

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. A legal representative with written authorization from an eligible person may also request a copy. You must show a valid government-issued photo ID. If requesting on behalf of someone else, bring supporting documents that show your relationship: a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order.

Records that are 100 years old or older have no access restrictions under Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-205. Anyone may request them without proving eligibility.

Historical Clarksville and Montgomery County Birth Records

Statewide birth registration in Tennessee began in 1908. Records before that date are not in the state vital records system. For older Montgomery County birth records, the best place to look is the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

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. TSLA holds early vital records, church registers, and family papers that can help establish birth information before 1908. The Tennessee Early Vital Records Application (TEVA) is a free searchable online database covering birth records from 1908 through the early 1910s. Both are useful for genealogical research on Clarksville and Montgomery County families from the early 20th century.

The CDC's guide to Tennessee vital records also offers a plain-language summary of state procedures for anyone starting the research process.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Clarksville also have birth records pages with local office details and access information.