Confidential Records

Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 144.225, subd2, data pertaining to a birth of a child, to a woman who was not married to the child’s father when the child was conceived nor when the child was born, including the original certificate of birth and the certified copy, are confidential data unless the mother has designated the data as being public.

Confidential birth records are available only to:

•    the individual on the birth record if the individual has reached the age of 16;
•    the mother;
•    the father if he is listed on the birth record;
•    a legal guardian presenting a certified copy of guardianship papers;
•    an individual presenting a certified copy of a court order releasing the record to him/her;
•    the Commissioner of Welfare or authorized representative;
•    a bona fide adoption agency or authorized representative;
•    or an individual with a written and notarized authorization from any of the persons above.

Identification is required to obtain a confidential birth certificate