Stewart County Birth Records
Stewart County birth records are issued through the Stewart County Health Department and the state vital records system. Residents of Stewart County can get a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth at the local health department for $15.00 per copy. The county seat is Dover. For older or historical birth records, the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville holds documents that go back to the late 1800s. This page covers how to find, request, and use birth records in Stewart County.
Stewart County Quick Facts
Stewart County Health Department Vital Records
The Stewart County Health Department is the primary local source for birth certificates. Tennessee uses the Vital Records Issuance System (VRISM), which means any county health department in the state can issue a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth, not just births that happened in that county. So if you were born in Memphis but live in Stewart County now, you can still walk into the local health department in Dover and get your certificate the same day.
Each certified copy costs $15.00. You must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID with you. Acceptable ID includes a driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID card. The health department can also tell you what forms to fill out if you need a copy for a child. Visit stewartcountytn.gov to find current hours and contact information for the Stewart County Health Department before you go.
The state describes the full in-person process at vitalrecords.tn.gov. That page covers in-person visits, mail requests, and online orders so you can pick what works best for you.
| Office | Stewart County Health Department Dover, TN |
|---|---|
| Fee | $15.00 per certified copy |
| ID Required | Valid government-issued photo ID |
| Website | stewartcountytn.gov |
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Stewart County residents who prefer to order by mail or online can go through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. This state office handles certified birth certificates for all births registered in Tennessee. The office is at the 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Their phone is (615) 741-1763. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday until 6 PM.
The fee is $15.00 per certified copy, the same as at the local health department in Stewart County. Learn more about fees at vitalrecords.tn.gov. If you want to order online or by phone, use VitalChek at vitalchek.com or call 800-241-8322. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the $15.00 base cost.
The state vital records office has birth records from 1908 to the present. Births before 1908 were not always formally registered, so older records may not be on file there. For those, the Tennessee State Library and Archives is a better place to search.
You can also find general vital records information at the Tennessee Department of Health: tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/vital-records.html. The CDC also has a helpful guide at cdc.gov on where to write for Tennessee vital records.
The state takes records access seriously. Under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.11, birth records in Tennessee are restricted for 100 years from the date of birth. After that period, they become available to the public for genealogy and research. Before 100 years, only the registrant, a parent, a legal guardian, or certain other authorized parties can get a certified copy.
Note: If a birth was never formally registered, you may be able to file a delayed birth certificate. The process and required documents are explained at vitalrecords.tn.gov.
Stewart County Clerk Records
The Stewart County Clerk's office in Dover handles marriage licenses and a range of county records. The clerk's office does not issue certified birth certificates. Those come from the health department. But the clerk's office can be a useful stop if you are researching family history in Stewart County and need marriage records or other vital documents to piece together a family tree.
If you need to verify a marriage before or after a birth you are researching, the county clerk in Dover is the right place. The clerk's website at stewartcountytn.gov lists contact details for the office. You can call ahead to ask what records they hold and whether you need an appointment.
Tennessee Birth Records Online Search
The Tennessee State Library and Archives has digitized a collection of early birth records that you can search online. The screenshot below is from the Tennessee Digital Archives at digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov, which includes birth records from the late 1800s through 1912.
The digital birth records collection covers early registrations from Stewart County and across the state. Searching here is free and you do not need to create an account. Results show the registrant's name, date, parents' names, and county of birth. For records after 1912, you need to contact the state vital records office or the local Stewart County Health Department.
Historical Stewart County Birth Records
For genealogy work and historical research, the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) is the best resource for older Stewart County birth records. The TSLA holds early birth registers and related vital records that were gathered before the state set up its current registration system. Not every birth was recorded before the early 1900s, but what exists has largely been preserved at the TSLA.
The TSLA is at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37219. You can visit in person or check their online catalog to see what records are available for Stewart County. The TSLA guide to vital records is at sos.tn.gov. That guide explains how birth, death, and marriage records are organized and which years they cover for each county, including Stewart.
Early birth records for Tennessee were not always complete. Rural counties like Stewart sometimes have gaps. The TSLA staff can help you figure out what is available and point you to other sources like church records or family bibles that might fill in the gaps.
Note: The TSLA's genealogy reading room is open to the public during regular library hours. Call ahead or check their website before making the trip from Dover or anywhere in Stewart County.
Cities in Stewart County
Stewart County includes the city of Dover and several small communities. Dover is the county seat and serves as the main hub for county offices. No cities in Stewart County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Stewart County borders several Tennessee counties. If you are not sure which county your birth was registered in, the county where the birth happened is where the record was filed. Check with the health department in the right county if you need help locating older records.