HF4289

Purpose

To make it easier for families to obtain an official copy of a child’s birth record by waiving the fee for one free certified birth record per child for a parent listed on the birth record, starting in 2027.

Main Provisions

• Adds a subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 144.226 establishing a fee waiver.
• Effective July 1, 2027: a parent listed on a child’s birth record may request one free certified birth record for that child.
• The state registrar or local issuance office must not charge the fee for issuing that specific birth record.
• Any additional certified birth records for the same birth record must be obtained through separate requests and paid for (fees apply).

Significance / Changes to Existing Law

• Replaces the current assumption that all copies of a birth record require a fee with a one-time fee waiver per child for a parent listed on the record.
• Creates a dedicated pathway for a free official copy of a birth record for the child, while maintaining standard fee requirements for extra copies.

Effective Date

July 1, 2027.

Implementation Details

• Applies to the process handled by the state registrar or local issuance offices.
• The free copy is limited to one per child; additional copies require separate, fee-bearing requests.

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Relevant Terms birth record, certified birth record, birth certificate, birth certificate copy, waiver, fee waiver, free, one per child, parent listed on the birth record, state registrar, local issuance office, Minnesota Statutes 144.226, Subd.9, effective date July 1, 2027, additional copies, separate request