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.
