Getting your ID and documents back in Minnesota

The short answer

Get your Minnesota birth certificate at any county vital records office, or by mail or fax from the Minnesota Department of Health ($26). Homeless young people 24 or younger born in Minnesota can get one at no cost.

Need help tonight?

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Birth certificate

In person or by mail at any county vital records office.
By mail or fax from the Minnesota Department of Health with the Birth Certificate Request form (English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Karen). The fee is $26. MDH has no in person service.
No cost for homeless youth: people 24 or younger, born in Minnesota and experiencing homelessness, can use the Homeless Youth Birth Certificate Packet. That certificate expires six months after it is issued.

Birth certificates

Official page: health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/birthnc.html

Help with the cost

Ask 211 about local groups that help pay for an ID.

Dial 211

Official page: 211unitedway.org

Social Security card

You may be able to request a replacement Social Security card online at ssa.gov. Replacing a card costs nothing.

Replace your card

Official page: ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card

More help in Minnesota

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Sources last checked October 27, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it.

Nothing here is a promise of a bed, money or a spot in any program. Each place decides who it can serve. You choose what feels right for you.