Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records

Tennessee · Vital Records

tn.gov/health/vr.html

State Vital Records in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Tennessee. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in Tennessee; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Order through VitalChek - only authorized state vendor
  • •By mail: Mail completed application with check/money order and photocopy of government-issued ID
  • •In person: Visit Office of Vital Records (no appointment needed) or any county health department statewide
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Completed and signed application
  • •Photocopy of government-issued ID with signature
4
Allow the office's processing time (3 days by mail or online); expedited handling is available.

State Vital Records in Tennessee: key facts

What Tennessee says8

Administering office

Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.1

Office location and hours

1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.1

Certificate fee

$15 for the first certified copy; $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1

Processing time

3 days by mail or online. Expedited: Same day in person.1

Who may order

Mother, father, son, daughter, husband, or wife; Funeral directors; With documentation: beneficiaries, executors of the estate, legal guardians, legal representatives, attorneys.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.2

Public record

Death records become public 50 years after the death.1

Records available from

1914. Records over 50 years old available at TN State Library and Archives. 1975 death, marriage, and divorce records released to the Archives in January 2026; OVR itself holds 1976-present.1

Governing law: T.C.A. § 62-5-102

Sources2

  1. 1.Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records
  2. 2.Tennessee death-certificate filing rule (T.C.A. § 62-5-102; T.C.A. § 68-3-502; T.C.A. § 68-3-507; T.C.A. § 46-8-103; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.08)

Tennessee vital records offices

Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Verified Sep 2026