Tennessee Office of Vital Records
The Office of Vital Records reviews, registers, amends, issues and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages and divorces that occur in Tennessee.Main Office - Downtown Nashville
County Health Departments
All county health departments can issue any birth or death certificates that have been registered statewide with the Tennessee Office of Vital Records. You do not need to travel to the county where the birth or death occurred. Identification will be required at the time of submission of your application and fees payable. IF you are not a qualified applicant, (parent, child, or spouse), you will also need to present any documents to support your right to the certificate. Entitlement documents can include custody orders, letters of testamentary, insurance policies denoting the beneficiaries, etc.
Office of Vital Records Help
The following links are to third-party webpages for specific customer service support and help topics for the Tennessee Office of Vital Records.
Genealogy Research
The Tennessee Vital Records Office keeps birth records for 100 years and death, marriage, and divorce records for 50 years; after that time, the records are sent to the Tennessee State Library and Archives for public access and family research.
Tennessee State law dictates that certified copies of our records can only be provided to the person named on the certificate or certain family members. However, verification of information from our records (excluding cause of death) can be provided to any requester. If you wish verification of information from our records you should complete the appropriate form (birth, death, marriage, divorce) and mail it along with the required fee to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Tennessee Vital Records Information System Management
The VRISM project allows for electronic communication between the Tennessee Office of Vital Records and those partners who help register vital events that occur in Tennessee, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce. The web-based system significantly reduces the time between the occurrence and registration of vital events, allowing for greater efficiency and greater ease of access for the public we serve.
Paper submission of Birth Certificates no longer accepted after June 24, 2019.
Paper submission of Death Certificates no longer accepted after July 16, 2018.
If you are locked out of your account, need technical support, or need to change the email address on your profile, please call the VRISM Help Desk, M-F 8:00-4:30 CST, at 855-874-7686
Existing VRISM Users
New VRISM Users
If you are employed with an entity that is responsible for registering a vital event with the State of Tennessee; Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce or Fetal, please reach out to our help desk at (855) 874-7686 to submit a user agreement.
Contact Us
For questions regarding the registration of birth records, such as demographic information, legal name requirements, rejected records, and more, contact:
Registration Unit
(615) 645-1117
For questions regarding VRISM technical support, such as signing in, resetting security information, and new user registration, contact:
VRISM Help Desk
(855) 874-7686 • Health.VRISM@tn.gov
2024 EBRS Guide for Birth Clerks and Midwives
Office of Vital Records
Attn: Birth Registration
710 James Robertson Parkway
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a new employee in our office. Can I just let them use my account to log into thes system?
No, please have them complete a VRISM Access User Request & Agreement by contacting our help desk at 855-874-7686. Once they have been registered, an email will be sent to their email address with their login information.
How long do I have to file the record with the State?
All documentation must be mailed within five days of the birth in order to complete the registration in accordance with TCA §§ 63-3-301. If documentation needs to be adjusted, it will be mailed back to you and should be returned to the OVR within two days.
Where should the VAoP be mailed?
The VAoP should be emailed to certificate.health@tn.gov within two days of completion with originals being mailed to the State office at a minimum of two times per week to:
Medical Certifier Update Sheet
EDRS Guide for Medical Certifiers
EDRS Guide for Delayed Diagnosis of Death
Rules and Laws for Death Certificates (from the office of the Chief ME)
Requirements for Manner and Cause of Death (from the office of the Chief ME)
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to fill out?
Medical Certifiers are responsible for Tabs 7-11. A Medical certifier must be an MD or DO with a valid license to practice in Tennessee (with the exceptions of a physician employed at a VA hospital).
Who can certify a record with a non-natural manner of death?
Only a Medical Examiner may certify a death certificate with a non-natural manner. For more information on this, please review the "Requirements for Manner and Cause of Death" document in this section.
I do not know the date or time of the patient's death. What do I enter?
If the date or time is unknown, enter the numerical information as 99/99/9999 for the date or 99:99 for the time.
Affidavit to Amend Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to fill out?
Funeral homes are responsible for Tabs 1-6, assignment, and releasing on Tab 11. Tabs 1-6 cover the demographic information of the decedent, and Tab 11 is where you may assign the record to a physician and release the record to the state after it is certified.
I do not know the date or time of the patient's death. What do I enter?
If the date or time is unknown, enter the numerical information as 99/99/9999 for the date or 99:99 for the time.
Why can't I release the record?
There are two reasons why you may not be able to release a record:
1. Records may only be released by a Funeral Director. If you are not a Funeral Director, please have one at your location log in to release the record.
2. There may be missing information. To determine if this is the case, open the record and click "Finish" at the bottom of Tab 11. You will be directed to the VRISM Warning Screen. Ensure there is no missing data form the record, which would be shown as a link under an "Attn: Funeral Director or Person Acting as Such" or "Attn: Medical Certifier" heading.
Am I required to have the couple review the draft copy before I give them the official license?
Yes, the system will not let you print the official license without checking the box that the couple has reviewed and approved the draft copy.
Is the couple required to sign the license in fron of the clerk before they leave with the license?
Yes
VRISM Court Clerk Guide for Divorce Records
VRISM Attorney Guide for Divorce Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Attorne office required to start the case in VRISM?
No, that is up to each Court Clerk’s office. The only thing to watch for is that both offices are not starting the same record.
What if I find that two cases have been started?
The office that created the second case must be the one to cancel it in VRISM. Follow the path: Death > Maintain > Cancel
This Page Last Updated: March 23, 2026 at 7:38 PM