Search Lincoln County Birth Records
Lincoln County birth records are maintained through Tennessee's statewide vital records system. Certified birth certificates for Lincoln County births or any Tennessee birth can be requested at the Lincoln County Health Department in Fayetteville, through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville, or online via VitalChek. Tennessee restricts birth records for 100 years, so access is limited to eligible persons. This page covers every official source and method for getting Lincoln County birth records.
Lincoln County Quick Facts
Lincoln County Health Department
The Lincoln County Health Department at 106 Medical Center Boulevard in Fayetteville handles birth certificate requests for Lincoln County residents. The office uses the statewide VRISM electronic system, which allows staff to issue certified birth certificates for any person born in Tennessee. You do not have to go to the county where the birth happened. If you were born in Knox County but live in Fayetteville, you can still get your certificate here.
Lincoln County has a notable role in the South Central Health Department Region. The Lincoln County Health Department is one of the designated printing locations for this region. This means that applications submitted at other South Central Region counties may be printed and mailed from Lincoln County. It also means Lincoln County has more direct printing capability on-site. Call the office at (931) 433-6263 to ask about same-day service for your specific request.
Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though you should call ahead to confirm. The fee is $15.00 per certified copy. Payment is accepted in cash, check, money order, or by credit and debit card. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when you visit.
See the Lincoln County website at lincolncountytn.gov for more local information. The statewide vital records overview is at tn.gov/health/vital-records.
| Office |
Lincoln County Health Department 106 Medical Center Boulevard Fayetteville, TN 37334 Phone: (931) 433-6263 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (call to confirm) |
| Fee | $15.00 per certified copy |
| Payment | Cash, check, money order, credit/debit cards |
Lincoln County Health Department Resources
The official Lincoln County website at lincolncountytn.gov includes contact information for county offices and the health department that handles birth records requests in Fayetteville.
Use the county site to get up-to-date phone numbers and hours for the health department. Staff can answer questions about Lincoln County birth certificates and guide you through the request process.
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville is the central source for all certified birth certificates in the state. Walk-in visits are allowed without an appointment. The office is at 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Enter from the Rosa Parks Boulevard side of the building. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with extended service until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Phone: (615) 741-1763.
The state has held birth records since July 1908, with a gap in 1913. For very old Lincoln County birth records, the state office is the right place to ask. Mail requests are sent to the same Nashville address with a completed application, a photocopy of your ID, and a $15.00 check or money order made payable to Tennessee Vital Records. Mail processing takes roughly four weeks.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by phone at 800-241-8322. VitalChek is the only state-approved online vendor. Online orders cost the $15.00 certificate fee plus processing and shipping charges. See the Tennessee Vital Records fee page for the full breakdown.
Who Can Request Lincoln County Birth Records
Tennessee law under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.11 restricts access to birth records for 100 years. Not everyone can get a certified copy. This rule protects personal information and reduces the risk of identity fraud. You need to show you have the right to the record before it will be issued.
Qualified requesters for Lincoln County birth certificates include the person named on the certificate (the registrant), a parent listed on the certificate, the registrant's spouse, a person with legal custody who can show court documentation, or anyone who has a notarized statement from the registrant giving them permission to request the record. If you are not in one of these groups, you may be able to view older records through the Tennessee State Library and Archives once they pass the 100-year restriction window.
If the birth was never registered, a delayed registration process is available. The Tennessee Vital Records guidance on delayed birth registration explains what evidence you need and how to submit it.
Note: Shelbyville is located in Bedford County, not Lincoln County. If you are looking for a birth connected to Shelbyville, contact Bedford County's health department or the state office.
Historical Lincoln County Birth Records
Lincoln County was formed in 1809 from Bedford County. Statewide birth registration in Tennessee began in July 1908, and general compliance was not reached until around 1927. For Lincoln County births before 1927, records may be missing or incomplete. The early registration period was inconsistent, especially in smaller rural counties.
Birth records more than 100 years old are kept at the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37219. Phone: (615) 741-2764. The TSLA guide to vital records describes what is available and how to search it. The Tennessee Virtual Archive (TEVA) has digital copies of some older records that you can browse online.
The Digital Tennessee birth records index is useful for genealogy research. It is an index, not a source for certified copies, but it can help you confirm names and dates before you submit a formal request. The CDC Tennessee vital records page gives a general overview of the state system and how it is organized.
Cities in Lincoln County
Lincoln County's county seat is Fayetteville. No city in Lincoln County meets the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All birth certificate requests for Lincoln County residents are processed through the county health department in Fayetteville or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville.
Nearby Counties
Lincoln County is in southern Middle Tennessee, bordering Alabama to the south. Check neighboring counties if you are not certain where a birth was recorded.