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Business Profile

State Government

Office of Vital Records

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in State Government.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 17 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 14 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/28/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    We went to court in June 2024 to remove a father and change the last name on my child's birth certificate. We were then told that I would be mailed an updated birth certificate within 6 to 8 months. Fast forward to May 28, 2025, I have not received any communications in regard to this updated birth certificate. I have called approximately 4 separate times a couple months apart and STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RETURN PHONE CALLS. Making a 4 hour drive to speak to someone in person should NOT be the only option available to get this done. Not having this updated document does hold us back from getting my child into certain schools, updating medical records, and it prevents us from obtaining a passport for her. ANY communication would be appreciated at this point. It's beyond ridiculous for a state-run organization to operate in this manner.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/03/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    For two years since March/April of 2023 me and my husband have been dealing with our child's last name change. We went to the health department and did all the documentation and sent everything that Vital Records asked for. Every few months they mailed me the same documents I would do it and send money orders.onths go by and I call leave voicemails and emails asking about the status and I still haven't heard from them, so this year they finally got something in the mail, it was the same documents I paid for several times. I tried to contact them so I start going to health department April 14th 2025 to try to reach them and ******** who works at the health department tells me the can't get any information about my child's birth certificate due to an error code so she reaches out to Vital Records in ********* and they told her they would call her back once they get more info on the error code. They called her back but when she got to the phone they hung up and I asked her for the number she said it was a HELP DESK NUMBER they can't give out to the public. So she gives me the numbers I already have and I called myself all week l left voicemails no reply or response from *********. So I went back again to health department, May 2, 2025 just to be told the error was still on and ******** contacts Nashville again for me just for them to claim they need to ask me something over the phone and the manager will reach out to me that day. ******** and the lady working next to her claim they will call it's recorded I tell her they never calle they been had my information and everything Nashville cashed checks never answers. So I waited all day no call I took off from work every time to handle this and now I'm dealing with a lawyer to help me through this process because ********* is the Main branch but they apparently don't care about no one and honestly it needs to be looked at by the government no longer controlled by the state.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/01/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I ordered my birth certificate thru vital chek two different times now, the first over a year ago and I didnt receive it and then I placed another order for January 5th of 2025 and they said Tennessee takes ***** business days to process, its been well over that bc its April now and I still havent received my birth certificate. I called vital chek and they put in a request to ********* and I waited 5 more business days and nothing bc again I called 2 more times and they keep putting request to the Tennessee office and still nothing back. When I call the vital records office they dont answer or call you back and Ive been trying to get ahold of someone for months. I look at the reviews from ********* vital record office and they say that same things Im experiencing, everyone is having problems getting their certificates and its been years. We need these in order to do anything. Work, drive, etc. Im so behind in life and cant get anything done bc of my birth certificate. I dont know what to do or who to reach out to to get help. Cant drive to ********* to get it . Im 7 hrs away, no license or car bc of no birth certificate. No refund has been given to me either and keep in mind this is the second time Ive payed for it and no certificate or refund.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/25/2025

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I mailed in an order for a Birth Certificate amendment in ************* changing my name from ******* **** ******** to ******* **** ******* My D.O.B is ***************** It has been almost 1 year and I have not received my updated birth certificate. I filed a complaint in October of 2024 and they responded that I need to wait 8 months as that is what what stated on their website. It has been over 8 months and I still have not received what I paid for. I don't want a refund. I need my updated birth certificate sent to *************************************************** I reached out to them and have not heard back.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/15/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I had a home birth & have filed for a birth certificate for my son ****** ******** ***** ****** who will be FOUR YEARS old this year going on THREE YEARS ago! I have hired an attorney, I have sent in all required paperwork & have been COMPLETELY ignored!! How can you leave a child with NO birth certificate which leads to NO social security number?! This should be illegal!! Vital Records should be held accountable & they should DO THEIR JOB! I can't even enroll my son in school or ANYTHING WITHOUT a birth certificate!!

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/27/2025

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I'm filing a complaint regarding the Vital Records Office's handling of my birth certificate amendment request. Despite submitting my request on April 24, 2024, and following up twice in person, I haven't received the amended certificate or a satisfactory response. I'm concerned about the delay.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/11/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Today is December *******. I mailed a money order for the birth certificate for my Mom, whos maiden name is ********* ******* with a deeper search form 10/03/2024. I have not received a birth certificate or any documentation stating that they cant find it. I talked to a representative on or around October 10th stating that they had sent a document in the mail. I havent received anything from them. I have called numerous times and no answer since.speaking with her.Someone cashed the money order.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/02/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Office of vital records in *********, Tn Will not answer the phone or return calls, I have been waiting on a b**** certificate after adoption for 8 months

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:11/23/2024

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I ordered a birth certificate through mail, exact date not known. I have attempted to contact this office by all methods of contact provided and I have not been able to receive a response. I have left numerous voicemails and sent multiple emails, and no response whatsoever. On their phone recording, it states that vital check can also expedite an order with a fee and processing time will be around 5 weeks. I contacted vital check and they said it is not true and there is no way to expedite the current ***** business days waiting time. I now have 2 orders pending, one with vital check and one through mail and have no idea when either will be received. I am going on a trip and was hoping to get my birth certificate in a timely manner so I can get a passport. If somebody, ANYBODY, can provide the status of my order, it would be appreciated. It is very discouraging and disheartening to have people send such sensitive documents through mail and there is no follow up when we are requesting very important documents. I would love to go in person but due to my current employment, I do not have the flexibility to fly from ****** to ** to get this handled. Please help!

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:11/04/2024

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Around the end of August, I sent a money order for $30 (past and current fees) and a copy of my power of attorney for my granddaughter, requesting a copy of her birth certificate. It is now November and I still have not received her birth certificate. I have called multiple times and also emailed about 10 or 11 times requesting the status of her birth certificate. I can't enroll her in school or put her on my lease without her birth certificate. No one will return my calls or respond to my emails. My granddaughter has missed her opportunity to go to Head Start due to this delay, and I am in jeopardy of losing my housing also due to not having a birth certificate to put her on my lease. I don't know what else to do in order to get someone to respond to me.

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