HF4289 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Parent allowed to request one free certified birth record per child.
AI Generated Summary
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.
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
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Upcoming committee meetings
- Health Finance and Policy on: March 25, 2026 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Health Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Subd. 9. Birth record fees waived for one certified birth record per child; allows one free record per child for a parent listed on the birth record; the state registrar or local issuance office must not charge fees for issuing that birth record; additional copies require separate requests."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds Subd. 9 to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.226, to waive the fee for one free certified birth record per child for the parent listed on the record. If more copies are requested, they must be obtained with separate requests. Effective July 1, 2027.",
"modified": [
"Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 144.226 by adding Subd. 9."
]
},
"citation": "144.226",
"subdivision": "subd.9"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee