Moore County Birth Records
Moore County birth records are maintained by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville, not at the local level. Residents of Lynchburg and the surrounding areas can request certified copies through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records by visiting in person, mailing in a request, or ordering online through the state's authorized vendor. This page explains the process, who can request a record, what it costs, and where to find older Moore County birth records that predate statewide registration in 1908.
Moore County Quick Facts
Moore County Health Department and Vital Records
The Moore County Health Department serves as a local contact for vital records matters. Tennessee operates a statewide electronic system called VRISM that connects all 95 county health departments. Because of that system, the Moore County office can issue a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth, not just births that happened in Moore County itself. If you were born in a different county but live in Moore County, the local office can still help you.
The main office for all certified birth certificates is the Tennessee Office of Vital Records at 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 741-1763. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday until 6:00 PM.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records website lists current hours, fees, and acceptable forms of ID. Always check ahead before making a trip to confirm nothing has changed. Moore County is a small, rural county, so local department hours may differ from the state office schedule.
Requesting a Certified Birth Certificate
There are three main ways to get a Moore County birth record. In person is the fastest route. Mail takes longer but works well for anyone who cannot travel to a health department. Online is the most convenient remote option, though it comes with additional fees.
In person: Visit the Moore County Health Department in Lynchburg, or go directly to the state office in Nashville. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You'll need to complete Form PH-1654, the standard Tennessee birth certificate application, and pay $15.00 per certified copy. Most in-person requests can be processed the same day.
By mail: Download the Form PH-1654 application from the state vital records website. Fill it out fully and include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID. Send the completed form along with a check or money order for $15.00 (payable to the Tennessee Department of Health) to the Nashville address. Mail requests typically take one to three weeks to process.
Online: Tennessee uses VitalChek as its only authorized online vendor for birth certificate orders. VitalChek charges $10.00 as a processing fee on top of the $15.00 state fee. You can pay an additional $5.00 to expedite your order. UPS delivery is available at an extra cost. You will need to verify your identity as part of the order. See the state's fee schedule page for a full breakdown of charges.
Who Can Request a Moore County Birth Record
Tennessee law restricts access to birth records less than 100 years old. Only certain people qualify to request a certified copy.
Eligible requesters include: the person named on the certificate (if they are 18 or older), a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian with court paperwork, a spouse, a child, or a sibling of the named person. A legal representative with written authorization from an eligible person may also apply. In all cases, you must provide a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, bring documentation that proves your relationship, such as a birth certificate showing parentage, a marriage certificate, or a court order.
If you do not qualify as an eligible requester, you cannot get a certified copy of a birth record less than 100 years old. Researchers and genealogists working on records older than 100 years can access those through public archives without proving a relationship. See the genealogy research guide on the state vital records site for more information on accessing older records.
Note: Attorneys acting on behalf of an eligible client can request records with a notarized authorization letter from the client plus proof of bar membership.
Historical Moore County Birth Records
Tennessee started requiring statewide birth registration in 1908. Records before that year are not in the state vital records system. Moore County was established in 1871, carved out of Bedford, Lincoln, and Franklin counties. Early births in the area may be found under those parent counties for records dating before 1871.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37219 is the primary source for historical Moore County birth records. TSLA is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The collection includes early birth registers, church records, family papers, and other documents that can help establish birth information before statewide registration began. Staff at TSLA can assist with research requests in person or by written inquiry.
The Tennessee Early Vital Records Application (TEVA) is a free online database that covers birth records from 1908 through the early years of statewide registration. These records are now over 100 years old and available to any member of the public without restriction under Tenn. Code Ann. ยง 68-3-205. TEVA is searchable by name and county and is a solid first step for genealogical research on Moore County families from the early 20th century.
Church records and family Bibles are often the best sources for births before 1908 in small rural counties like Moore. Many early births in Moore County were recorded only in local church registers or in family papers, not in any official government record. The CDC's vital records guide for Tennessee has additional context on the state's early registration history.
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch both have digitized Tennessee records for certain years that can be useful for early research. These are not certified copies and carry no official legal weight, but they can help you identify the right record to order from the state.
Online Access and Mail Order Details
For people who prefer to work fully online, VitalChek is the only authorized option. The state does not accept direct online orders. VitalChek processes your request and submits it to the state on your behalf. Most orders are completed within a few business days after identity verification is confirmed. The expedite option can reduce that further.
Mail orders sent directly to the state office take longer than online orders but cost less since you avoid the VitalChek processing fee. Send everything in one envelope: the completed Form PH-1654, a photocopy of your ID, and your payment. Keep copies of what you send. The state office address is 710 James Robertson Parkway, First Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, Nashville, TN 37243.
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records website is the authoritative source for current procedures, hours, and any policy changes. The regulations covering vital records access and procedures are detailed in the Tennessee vital records regulations available through Cornell Law School's legal information site.
Nearby Counties
Moore County is a small county in southern Tennessee. These neighboring counties all use the same state vital records system and the same fee structure.