Murfreesboro Birth Records

Murfreesboro birth records are managed by Rutherford County, not the city. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for a birth in or near Murfreesboro, you go through the Rutherford County Health Department or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville. This page covers the local office details, how the process works, what you need to bring, and where to find older Rutherford County birth records from before statewide registration began.

Which County Handles Murfreesboro Birth Records

Murfreesboro is the county seat of Rutherford County, and the Rutherford County Health Department handles vital records for residents. The department is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone: (615) 898-7880.

Tennessee connects all 95 county health departments through a system called VRISM. That means the Rutherford County office can issue a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth, not just Rutherford County births. It works the other way too: if you live in Murfreesboro but were born in another Tennessee county, the local office can still process your request. The state fee is $15.00 per certified copy.

One note: the Rutherford County Health Department has records for births on or after 1949 in its local system. For births before 1949, you will need to work through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville, which holds records going back to 1908. The Rutherford County Clerk is located at 319 N. Maple Street, Room 133, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, phone (615) 898-7710. The Clerk handles marriage licenses and other county records but does not issue birth certificates. The Rutherford County Health Department page has current contact details and hours.

How to Request a Birth Certificate

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

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

By mail: Download the Form PH-1654 application and complete it. Attach a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID. Include a check or money order for $15.00 made payable to the Tennessee Department of Health. Mail to: Tennessee Office of Vital Records, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Processing time is typically one to three weeks by mail.

Online: Order through VitalChek, the only vendor authorized by the state. VitalChek adds $10.00 processing to the state's $15.00 fee. An optional $5.00 expedite fee moves your order to the front of the queue. Delivery options vary. Check the state fee schedule for current details on all charges.

Genealogy Research for Murfreesboro Births

Rutherford County has a long history, and many researchers look for birth records that go back well before 1908. The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville holds early vital records, church registers, and family documents for Rutherford County. TSLA is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Staff can help with research requests.

The Tennessee Early Vital Records Application (TEVA) is a free searchable online database covering birth records from 1908 through the early 1910s. These records are now over 100 years old and are available to any member of the public without restriction under Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-3-205. TEVA is a good first stop for early 20th-century birth research.

Vital Records Applications and Forms

The standard application for a Tennessee birth certificate is Form PH-1654. You can download it from the state vital records applications page. The form is available in English and Spanish. Fill it out completely before submitting. Incomplete forms cause delays and may result in your request being returned without processing.

If you are requesting a birth certificate for a child under 18, a parent listed on the certificate can request it without extra documentation beyond their ID. If you are a legal guardian, bring the court order that establishes guardianship.

Who Can Get a Murfreesboro Birth Record

Tennessee restricts access to birth records less than 100 years old. The rule applies statewide and covers all Rutherford County and Murfreesboro births.

Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian with documentation, a spouse, a child, or a sibling of the named person. Legal representatives acting for an eligible person may also apply with written authorization. You must show a valid government-issued photo ID at the time of your request. For requests on behalf of another person, bring proof of your relationship such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court order.

Records over 100 years old are public and can be accessed by anyone. For more detail on who qualifies and how to prove eligibility, see the Tennessee vital records genealogy guide.

Nearby Cities

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