Search Union County Birth Records
Union County birth records are issued through the Union County Health Department in Maynardville and through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville. Residents can get a certified birth certificate for any Tennessee birth at the local health department for $15.00 per copy. The county seat is Maynardville. This page covers how to get a certified copy, what historical birth records are available for Union County, and where to go for older genealogy documents that predate the state registration system.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Health Department Vital Records
The Union County Health Department in Maynardville is the main local office for birth certificate requests. Tennessee's VRISM system connects every county health department to the statewide birth records database. That means you can get a certified birth certificate for any registered Tennessee birth at the Union County Health Department, even if the birth happened somewhere else in the state. This saves residents a trip to the state office in Nashville.
The fee is $15.00 per certified copy. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. Parents requesting a certificate for a minor need to show proof of their relationship to the child. Check unioncountytn.gov for current hours and any appointment requirements before making the trip to Maynardville.
The state's step-by-step guide on getting a birth certificate in person, by mail, or online is at vitalrecords.tn.gov. Current fees are confirmed at vitalrecords.tn.gov/fees.
| Office | Union County Health Department Maynardville, TN |
|---|---|
| Fee | $15.00 per certified copy |
| ID Required | Valid government-issued photo ID |
| Website | unioncountytn.gov |
Union County Health Department Online
The Union County government website at unioncountytn.gov provides information about county offices, including health department services and vital records in Maynardville.
The health department is the fastest way to get a birth certificate if you are a Union County resident. Same-day service is available for most requests through the VRISM system. Staff can also tell you about the mail-order process if visiting Maynardville is not convenient.
Tennessee Office of Vital Records
Union County residents who prefer to order by mail or online can use the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville. The office is at the 1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 741-1763. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, plus Tuesday and Thursday until 6 PM. The state office covers all registered Tennessee births from 1908 to the present.
For online or phone orders, use VitalChek at vitalchek.com or call 800-241-8322. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the $15.00 state fee. General information about the Tennessee vital records program is at tn.gov/health. The CDC's reference at cdc.gov also covers how to write for Tennessee vital records by mail.
Under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.11, Tennessee birth records are restricted for 100 years from the date of birth. Only the registrant, a parent, a legal guardian, or other authorized parties can request a certified copy during that period. Records older than 100 years are available to the public for genealogy research.
Note: If a Union County birth was never registered, the state has a delayed birth certificate process. Details are at vitalrecords.tn.gov.
Union County Clerk Records
The Union County Clerk's office in Maynardville handles marriage licenses and other county records. The clerk does not issue certified birth certificates. Those come from the health department or the state vital records office. But if you need a marriage record to support genealogy research or to establish a family connection in Union County, the clerk's office is the right place to go.
Visit unioncountytn.gov for contact details and office hours. The clerk can tell you what records they hold and how to request copies. Because Union County is a smaller, rural county in the foothills of East Tennessee, the clerk staff is typically easy to reach by phone.
Historical Union County Birth Records
The Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) holds early birth records for Union County. The TSLA is at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37219. Their vital records guide at sos.tn.gov explains what records exist for each county and the years they cover. For Union County, early birth records before 1908 are limited, as was common in rural East Tennessee counties during that era.
Formal birth registration in Tennessee did not begin until 1908. Before that, many Union County births went undocumented in official records. Church records, family bibles, and county court documents are often the only surviving sources for births before 1908. The TSLA staff can help researchers identify what is available for Union County and suggest alternative sources when gaps exist. Some records have also been digitized through the Tennessee Digital Archives and can be searched at digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov without a trip to Nashville.
Note: Rural counties like Union often have registration gaps even after 1908. If you can't find a record for a birth you know happened in Union County, the TSLA's reference staff can suggest other search strategies.
Cities in Union County
Union County includes Maynardville and several small rural communities. Maynardville is the county seat and the center for county government services. No cities in Union County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Union County is in northeastern Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachians near Norris Lake. It borders several East Tennessee counties. Birth records are filed in the county where the birth happened, so check with the right county if you are searching for older records from this region.