Confidential birth records

According to Minnesota Statutes, section 144.225, subd. 2, a birth record of a child who was born to unmarried parents is confidential. Both a birth certificate and a non-certified copy of a birth record are confidential unless, at the time of birth, the mother designates the demographic data as public.

Confidential birth records are available only to:

• the subject of the birth record if the individual has reached the age of 16;
• the mother named on the birth record;
• the father named 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 Human Services or authorized representative; or
• an individual with a written and notarized authorization from any of the persons above.

A notarized application is required to obtain a confidential birth certificate.