Wilson County Birth Records
Birth records from Wilson County are part of Tennessee's statewide vital records system, stored and issued by the Office of Vital Records in Nashville. If you need a certified copy of a Wilson County birth certificate, you can request one through the state health department in person, by mail, or online. Wilson County has grown rapidly in recent years and now has two significant cities, Lebanon and Mount Juliet, both of which have county clerk offices that can assist residents. This page covers the full process for requesting birth records, who qualifies, what fees apply, and how to find older historical records.
Wilson County Quick Facts
Wilson County Health Department
The Wilson County Health Department provides public health services and can help residents start a birth certificate request. The department doesn't issue certified birth certificates directly, but it can guide you through the application, confirm what documents to bring, and in many cases submit your request to the state on your behalf.
The Wilson County government website has contact information for the health department and other county offices. For birth certificate requests, the state office is: Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 741-1763.
Wilson County also has two County Clerk locations that handle various county government functions. The main office is at 228 East Main Street, Room 101, Lebanon, TN 37087, phone (615) 444-0312. There is also a second location at 10905 Lebanon Road, Mount Juliet, TN 37122, phone (615) 288-1131. These offices handle a range of county matters, though birth certificate requests go through the state vital records system rather than the county clerk.
Wilson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Tennessee and is part of the Nashville metropolitan area. The county seat of Lebanon and the city of Mount Juliet both have significant populations and active government services. Local offices are generally well-staffed and can help you navigate the state vital records process.
How to Get a Wilson County Birth Certificate
A certified Wilson County birth certificate comes from the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. There are three ways to request one: in person at the state office in Nashville, by mail, or online through VitalChek.
In person: Go to the Tennessee Department of Health at 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, with valid photo ID. You can also visit the Wilson County Health Department in Lebanon or the county clerk location in Mount Juliet. These offices can help you with the process, though the certified copy still comes from Nashville.
By mail: Download the official application form from the state vital records site. Complete the form, attach a photocopy of your photo ID, and send a $15.00 check or money order payable to the Tennessee Department of Health to the Nashville address. Processing and return mail can take several weeks.
Online: Order through VitalChek. This is the fastest option. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the $15.00 state fee. You pay by credit or debit card. You can also use the Tennessee Electronic Vital Application (TEVA) to search records online through the state system.
The state fee schedule has current information on costs for birth certificates. The $15.00 fee applies per certified copy. If you need several copies for different purposes, plan to pay $15.00 for each one.
Who Can Request a Birth Certificate
Tennessee law restricts access to birth records less than 100 years old. You must have a direct and qualifying relationship to the person named on the record to get a certified copy. This applies in Wilson County the same as everywhere else in the state.
Eligible requesters include the person named on the record (if age 18 or older), a parent listed on the birth certificate, a legal guardian with court documentation, a current spouse, a direct descendant such as a child or grandchild, or an authorized legal representative. A valid photo ID is required with all requests.
If you are requesting a birth certificate for someone other than yourself, you need to prove the relationship. For example, if you want a parent's birth certificate, you may be asked to provide your own birth certificate to show the parent-child link. Attorneys requesting on behalf of a client must provide a notarized client authorization letter.
Records that are 100 years old or older are open to the general public. Anyone can request those records without showing a qualifying relationship. The Tennessee vital records regulations provide the full legal basis for these access rules and are worth reviewing if you have questions about eligibility.
Online and Mail Options
The Tennessee Office of Vital Records website has everything you need to place a birth certificate request. You'll find forms, instructions, fee information, and contact details. It's the authoritative source for all birth record requests in the state.
Online orders through VitalChek work well for Wilson County residents who need a record quickly or who can't travel to Nashville. You fill out the request online, pay by card, and choose your shipping speed. Most orders process faster than mail-in requests. The service fee is an extra cost, but the convenience is usually worth it.
Mail orders cost less than online but take longer. If you're not in a hurry, mail is a perfectly good option. Make sure your application is complete before sending it. Incomplete forms come back to you, which delays everything. Include a clear copy of your ID and double-check the fee amount before sealing the envelope.
The CDC's Tennessee vital records guide is a plain-language reference that confirms the current mailing address, fee, and phone number for the state. It's useful if you want a quick summary of the process.
Historical Wilson County Birth Records
Tennessee began requiring statewide birth registration in 1908. Any birth in Wilson County before that year is outside the state's vital records database. For older records, you need to search historical sources.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is the main resource for pre-1908 birth information. TSLA holds early county records, church documents, census schedules, and other historical materials. Some of these are available through the TSLA website. Others require an in-person visit to Nashville or a written research request.
Wilson County is east of Nashville and has a long history as part of middle Tennessee. Early birth records for the area are often found in church registers and family papers. The county seat of Lebanon had several active congregations dating to the early 1800s, and their registers can be valuable sources for genealogy research.
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch have indexed portions of Tennessee's early birth records. These databases are worth checking before placing a formal request. They're not certified copies but can help you confirm whether a record exists and find the key details you need to fill out a request form.
The state genealogy research page explains what historical records the state holds and gives guidance on how to access them. It's a useful starting point for any Wilson County family history project.
Cities in Wilson County
Wilson County includes two cities large enough to have their own dedicated birth records pages. Each city is served by the county's vital records system and the Tennessee Office of Vital Records in Nashville.
Nearby Counties
Wilson County is surrounded by several middle Tennessee counties. All use the same state vital records system for birth certificate requests.