Access Lebanon Birth Records

Lebanon birth records are maintained by Wilson County and the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. Lebanon is the county seat of Wilson County, which means both the county health department and the county clerk are located here. Residents can request certified birth certificates in person at the Wilson County Health Department, by mail to the state office, or online through the state's authorized vendor. This page covers all three options and explains how to find older Wilson County birth records for genealogical research.

Which County Handles Lebanon Birth Records

Lebanon is the county seat of Wilson County. The Wilson County Health Department handles vital records for all residents of Wilson County, including Lebanon and nearby Mount Juliet. Tennessee's VRISM system links all 95 county health departments, so the Wilson County office can issue a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth, not just births that occurred in Wilson County.

The Wilson County Clerk's office is at 228 East Main Street, Lebanon, TN 37087. Phone: (615) 444-0312. The Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains county records. For birth certificates, contact the Wilson County Health Department or the state office. Both are accessible through the Wilson County government website.

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records is the statewide authority for all certified birth certificates. It is located at 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 741-1763. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Tuesday and Thursday until 6:00 PM).

How to Get a Lebanon Birth Certificate

You have three options: in person, by mail, or online.

In person: Visit the Wilson County Health Department during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and complete Form PH-1654. Pay $15.00 per certified copy. Most in-person requests are handled the same day.

By mail: Download the Form PH-1654 application. Fill it out completely, attach a photocopy 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 authorized online vendor for Tennessee. VitalChek adds $10.00 processing to the $15.00 state fee. An optional $5.00 expedite is available. Check the state fee schedule for complete pricing.

Tennessee Birth Records at Wilson County

Tennessee began statewide birth registration in 1908. All births registered since that year are part of the state vital records system. The Wilson County Health Department can access those records for any Tennessee county through VRISM. For births before 1908, records were not systematically collected at the state level, and you will need to look at historical sources.

Lebanon has been the Wilson County seat since the county was formed in 1799. Early records from the 19th century may exist at the Tennessee State Library and Archives or in church and family collections. If you are researching Lebanon or Wilson County ancestry, TSLA is a key resource alongside the Tennessee Early Vital Records Application (TEVA) online database.

Who Can Request a Lebanon Birth Record

Tennessee restricts access to birth records less than 100 years old under Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-205. Not everyone can get a certified copy.

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 from an eligible person may also apply. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all requests. If requesting on behalf of someone else, bring documentation proving the relationship: a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order.

Records over 100 years old are public. Any researcher may access them without proving eligibility. The Tennessee genealogy research guide explains the process in detail.

Historical Wilson County Birth Records

The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville holds historical Wilson County birth records, church records, and family documents. TSLA is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Researchers can work in the reading room or submit written inquiries for specific collections.

TEVA, the Tennessee Early Vital Records Application, is a free online database covering birth records from 1908 through the early years of statewide registration. Those records are now over 100 years old and available to the public. TEVA is searchable by name and county and is a useful starting point for early Wilson County research.

The CDC's guide to Tennessee vital records provides a brief overview of where to write for records and how the state system is organized.

Nearby Cities

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