Scott County Birth Records Search
Scott County birth records are issued by the Scott County Health Department and the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. The county seat is Huntsville, in the northern part of the state near the Kentucky border. Birth certificates for any Tennessee birth can be obtained through the local health department, even if the birth did not happen in Scott County. This page covers how to request a record, what to bring, and where to look for older birth documents that fall outside the standard registry.
Scott County Quick Facts
Scott County Health Department Birth Records
The Scott County Health Department in Huntsville is the local office for vital records services. The department participates in Tennessee's VRISM statewide registry, which connects all county health departments to the central state birth records database. This means the Scott County office can issue a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth, not just those that occurred within Scott County itself.
Scott County residents can get a certified copy of a birth certificate for $15.00. You must bring valid government-issued photo ID. Access is restricted to the person named on the certificate, a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian with supporting court documentation, or an authorized legal representative. Third-party requests may require a notarized letter from the certificate holder. Call the health department before visiting to confirm current hours and what is accepted.
Visit the Scott County website for current contact information, the health department's address, and office hours.
Because Scott County is a smaller, more rural county, it is worth calling ahead to confirm that vital records services are available on the day you plan to visit. The image below comes from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, which oversees all county health department vital records services statewide.
The state vital records page outlines all four methods for requesting a Tennessee birth certificate, including in-person options at county health departments like the one in Scott County.
How to Get a Scott County Birth Certificate
You have four options for getting a Scott County birth certificate: visit the local health department in Huntsville, visit the state office in Nashville, send a mail request, or order online through VitalChek. The best choice depends on where you are and how fast you need the record.
In-person at the Scott County Health Department is often the most direct route for local residents. Bring your government-issued photo ID and $15.00. Staff will have you complete a short request form and verify your eligibility on the spot. Processing is typically same-day for in-person requests.
Mail requests go to: Tennessee Vital Records, 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Include your completed application, a photocopy of your government-issued ID, and a check or money order payable to Tennessee Vital Records for $15.00 per certified copy. Mail requests take longer to process than in-person visits.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. You can also call VitalChek at 800-241-8322. Additional processing fees apply, and UPS delivery is available for $21.00. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards including American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
The state office in Nashville is a good option if you are already in the area. Walk-ins are welcome on weekdays. The office stays open until 6:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday. Phone: (615) 741-1763.
Note: Scott County is a small rural county. If you need the record quickly and cannot drive to Huntsville, the mail or online option through VitalChek may be the most practical choice.
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records is located at 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. This office holds all statewide birth records going back to July 1908, when Tennessee began requiring birth registration. Phone: (615) 741-1763. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with extended hours until 6:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. ยง 68-3-205, Tennessee birth records are sealed for 100 years from the birth date. After that point, records transfer to the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Records from 1913 may be missing in some counties due to a lapse in the state registration law that year. The state certificate guide and fee schedule have complete details.
Older and Historical Scott County Birth Records
For Scott County birth records more than 100 years old, the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) is the right place to search. TSLA is at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37219, and the Research Room is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The TSLA vital records guide explains what holdings are available. For Scott County births before 1908, the gap in official records means researchers often rely on church baptismal records, census enumerations, and family documents. The Digital Tennessee birth records index is a free online tool that covers early registered births and can help narrow a search before visiting in person.
If you believe a Scott County birth was never formally registered, you can pursue delayed registration through the state. The state's unregistered birth guide explains what documents you need to submit and how the process works.
The CDC's Tennessee vital records page is another useful resource for understanding what types of records exist by time period and where to find them.
Cities in Scott County
Scott County includes the county seat of Huntsville along with smaller communities. No cities in Scott County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Birth records for all Scott County residents are handled through the county health department or the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
Nearby Counties
Scott County is in the upper Cumberland plateau region of Tennessee, bordering several other counties. Use the location of the birth to identify the correct county for the record.