Shelby County Health Department 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Most people searching for the Shelby County Health Department need one practical answer: which office should I call, which records office should I visit, what documents should I bring, and which official link should I use before I pay, apply, request a record, or drive across Memphis.
This plain-English guide is built for Shelby County residents, seniors, parents, caregivers, employers, food business owners, students, and families who need help with birth certificates, death certificates, immunization records, public clinics, WIC, food safety, environmental health, medical records, dental records, public records, and official Shelby County Health Department contact routes.
Quick answer: what the Shelby County Health Department helps with in 2026
The Shelby County Health Department, often searched as Memphis Health Department, Shelby TN Health, Shelby County Health Dept, or Shelby County Health Department vital records, provides public health services for Shelby County, Tennessee. The most common tasks are birth and death certificates, public health clinics, immunization records, family planning, WIC, senior food support, dental services, food safety, environmental health, vector control, air quality, medical records, public records routing, and public health emergency information.
| What you need | Best office or program | Phone or location | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Shelby County Health Department phone number | Health Department Headquarters | 901-222-9000; 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105 | Your topic, ZIP code, callback number, and the program name if you know it. |
| Birth certificate or death certificate | Office of Vital Records | 901-222-9693 at 814 Jefferson; East Office 901-222-9692 at 1826 Sycamore View Road | Full name, date, county, photo ID, relationship proof if needed, and payment. |
| Immunization records or vaccine appointment | Immunization Program / public health clinics | Records: 901-222-9331; clinic appointments: 901-222-9980 | Name, date of birth, parent or guardian details for children, school deadline, and prior shot records if available. |
| Medical or dental records from the Health Department | Medical and Dental Records / Privacy Officer | 901-222-9083 | Authorization release form, patient name, date of birth, service location, and records date range. |
| Public health clinic appointment | Clinical Services | 901-222-9601 or clinic-specific appointment lines | Service needed, insurance or TennCare information if applicable, ID, and appointment location. |
| Family planning | Reproductive Health / Family Planning | 901-222-9527 | Appointment question, preferred clinic site, medication list, insurance, and ID if requested. |
| WIC, nutrition, breastfeeding support | Clinical Services / WIC | WIC listed through Clinical Services at 901-222-9601 | Pregnancy or child information, income/residency documents, ID, and appointment details. |
| Senior Food Program / CSFP | Commodity Supplemental Food Program | 901-222-9750; in-person application listed at 1020 South Bellevue, Memphis, TN 38106 | Proof of identity, income, and residency for each person screened. |
| Restaurant complaint, food permit, foodborne illness | Environmental Health & Food Safety Program | 901-222-9158; 1826 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, TN 38134 | Business name, address, county, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt, and photos if available. |
| Septic, wells, water quality, vector control, mosquitoes | Environmental Health and Sustainability | Water Quality & Septic: 901-222-9572; Vector Control: 901-222-9715 | Address, parcel/location details, issue description, photos, and best callback number. |
If you are not sure where to start, call 901-222-9000 and say: “I need help with one service: [birth certificate, immunization record, clinic appointment, food complaint, WIC, medical record, or septic/well question]. Which office should handle this, and what should I bring or send?”
Shelby County Health Department route finder: pick the right office before you call
Use this quick guide when the search result says “Shelby County Health Department” but you do not know whether you need Vital Records, Clinical Services, Immunizations, Environmental Health, Food Safety, Medical Records, WIC, or another office.
Shelby County service router
Select your need. The best next step appears below.
Shelby County Health Department phone number, address and call script
The main Shelby County Health Department headquarters phone number is 901-222-9000. Headquarters is listed at 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. General website hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except official Shelby County holidays.
Headquarters
Phone: 901-222-9000
Address: 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105
Best use: general routing when you do not know the program.
Birth and death certificates
Jefferson: 901-222-9693
East Office: 901-222-9692
Best use: certified Tennessee birth or death certificates.
Clinical Services
Phone: 901-222-9601
Fax: 901-222-9602
Best use: public health clinics, WIC, dental, family and preventive services.
Use a one-sentence call script
Say: “I live in Shelby County and need help with [birth certificate, death certificate, immunization record, clinic appointment, WIC, food complaint, medical record, public records request, or environmental health]. Which office should I call, and what should I bring?”
Call early in the day when possible. For records, clinics, and appointments, have a pen ready and write down the staff member’s name, office location, appointment time, documents needed, and whether payment is cash, card, check, money order, or another method.
Shelby County Health Department records: birth certificates, death certificates, medical records, dental records and public records
The word “records” can mean several different things. Shelby County vital records are not the same as medical records, dental records, immunization records, marriage records, divorce records, or public records. Pick the correct route first so you do not waste a trip.
Birth and death certificates
Use the Office of Vital Records for certified Tennessee birth and death certificate service.
Use birth/death routeMedical and dental records
Use the Health Department medical and dental records route when the patient received services through SCHD.
Use medical records routeImmunization records
Use the immunization records route if the record is available in Tennessee’s online vaccination database.
Use immunization routePublic records request
Use public records routing for existing public records under Tennessee public records rules.
Use public records routeMarriage licenses and divorce court documents usually do not come from the Shelby County Health Department. For marriage licenses, use the Shelby County Clerk route. For divorce court documents, use the appropriate court or Tennessee vital records route depending on the document requested.
Shelby County birth certificate and death certificate office: locations, fees, years and checklist
The Shelby County Health Department Office of Vital Records provides certified copies of birth and death records. The official page explains that the office can provide certified copies for births and deaths that occurred in Tennessee, with specific year limits and older-record routing shown on the official page.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours listed | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vital Records at Jefferson | 814 Jefferson Avenue, Room 100, Memphis, TN 38105 | 901-222-9693 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except official Shelby County holidays | Birth certificates, death certificates, applications, mail-in requests, and local vital records help. |
| Vital Records East Office | 1826 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, TN 38134 | 901-222-9692 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except official Shelby County holidays | East Memphis / Sycamore View vital records service when that location is more convenient. |
| Tennessee Office of Vital Records | State-level Tennessee vital records route | Use Tennessee official vital records page | Confirm current state hours and processing options | Older records, statewide corrections, marriage/divorce records, and state-level vital record questions. |
Certificate costs shown by Shelby County
The official Shelby County birth/death page lists $15.00 for a death certificate, $15.00 for a long form birth certificate, and $15.00 for each additional copy of birth or death.
Long form birth certificate
The official page states that the long form birth certificate is the certificate offered and includes parent information from the original birth record.
Death certificate limits
Shelby County’s official page gives year limits and notes older death records may need another official route. Confirm the current year coverage before visiting.
Download the correct application before you go
The official Shelby County birth/death certificate page provides English and Spanish applications for birth certificates and death certificates. Print the correct form, fill it out carefully, and bring or mail the required ID and payment.
Check who can request the certificate
Certified copies are generally available to the person named on the record and certain family members or legal representatives. For death certificates, prepare proof of relationship if needed, especially when requesting a record with sensitive details.
Before leaving home, call the office you plan to visit and ask: “Is this location issuing the certificate I need today, what ID do I need, what payment methods are accepted, and what is the latest time I should arrive?” This is especially helpful for seniors, caregivers, and people coming from outside Memphis.
Medical and dental records from Shelby County Health Department
Use the medical and dental records route when the patient received services from the Shelby County Health Department and needs a copy of their patient record, a release to another provider, or privacy-office help.
Use the authorization release form
The official Medical and Dental Records page provides an Authorization to Release Form in English and Spanish. This is different from a public records request and different from ordering a birth certificate.
Know when fees may apply
The official page states there is no fee for copies requested by a patient’s medical provider or for immunization records, but the department is allowed by the state to charge when patients request records for personal reasons.
Write the exact dates or date range of the clinic visit if you know it. A request that says “all my records” may take longer than a request that names the clinic, service, and date range.
Shelby County Health Department immunization records, vaccine appointments and school forms
Parents, students, caregivers, employers, and adults often search for “Shelby County Health Department immunization records” because schools, jobs, travel, childcare, and healthcare providers ask for vaccine proof. The Health Department provides immunization records on request if the data is available in Tennessee’s online vaccination database.
Request vaccination records
Call 901-222-9331 Monday–Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to ask about available vaccination records.
Clinic appointment line
Call 901-222-9980 to make an appointment at one of the public health clinics for needed vaccinations.
Record pickup
The official page says vaccination records may be picked up at public health clinics, which can also provide needed vaccines.
Call before visiting for an immunization record
Have the full name, date of birth, phone number, school or employer deadline, and parent or guardian information ready for children. If you have an old vaccine card, school form, doctor record, or out-of-state shot record, ask whether you should bring it.
Do not wait until the day before school starts. Some children may need missing vaccinations before a record can be considered complete. Ask the clinic what is missing and whether a parent or legal guardian must come with the child.
Shelby County public health clinics: appointments, family planning, dental, WIC and preventive services
Clinical Services supports nutritional and preventive health services for Shelby County residents. Official program pages list services such as breastfeeding support, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, family planning, immunizations, dental oral health services, and Women, Infants and Children services.
General clinic support
Phone: 901-222-9601
Fax: 901-222-9602
Address: 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105.
Public health clinic example
Cawthon Public Health Clinic is listed at 1000 Haynes St., Memphis, TN 38114, with contact phone 901-222-9980 and weekday hours.
Open CawthonFind a clinic by service
The public health clinic finder lets users filter locations by service such as WIC, dental, family planning, immunizations, and child health services.
Find clinics| Service | Common route | Bring or ask about |
|---|---|---|
| Family planning | Call 901-222-9527 for family planning appointments by clinic site. | ID, medication list, insurance or payment questions, pregnancy testing question, preferred clinic. |
| Dental / oral health | Cawthon Dental Clinic is listed in the staff directory at 901-222-9870. | Child or adult eligibility, appointment availability, insurance/TennCare, dental pain or prevention need. |
| WIC | WIC is listed through Clinical Services and staff directory routing. | ID, proof of residency, pregnancy or child information, income documents, appointment date. |
| Child lead testing | Official FAQ lists lead testing and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program routing. | Child age, parent/guardian details, address history, insurance question, and clinic location. |
| STD / sexual health | Use official STD/HIV clinic and sexual health program routing. | Appointment question, confidentiality question, symptoms or exposure date, ID and payment/insurance if requested. |
Call the clinic line before visiting. Ask whether the service is appointment-only, whether a parent or guardian must be present, what payment methods are accepted, and whether that clinic site provides the exact service on the day you want to visit.
WIC, nutrition, breastfeeding support and Senior Food Program in Shelby County
Shelby County Health Department programs can support families, infants, children, seniors, and residents who need nutrition assistance or preventive health services. The best route depends on whether you need WIC, breastfeeding support, CSFP Senior Food Program, or clinic-based nutrition services.
Women, Infants and Children
WIC is listed under Shelby County Clinical Services. Call Clinical Services at 901-222-9601 or use the official clinic pages to ask about eligibility and appointments.
Open WIC routeSupport for parents
Breastfeeding support is listed as a Clinical Services offering. Ask which clinic site offers the service and what to bring.
Open Clinical HealthCSFP
The Senior Food Program / CSFP page lists 901-222-9750 and says applicants may apply in person at 1020 South Bellevue, Memphis, TN 38106.
Open Senior FoodFor nutrition programs, bring or ask about proof of identity, residency, income, pregnancy or child information, and appointment details. Requirements can vary by program, so call before visiting.
Shelby County food safety, restaurant complaints, foodborne illness and food permits
The Environmental Health & Food Safety Program helps with safe food service practices, foodborne illness outbreaks, complaints, food-related emergencies, permits, inspections, plan reviews, fee collections, suspensions, and food service establishment oversight.
Office details
Address: 1826 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: 901-222-9158
Fax: 901-222-9177
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Foodborne illness checklist
Report if one or more people became sick after a meal. Gather business name, full address, date, time, food, symptoms, receipt, photos, and package label if available.
Open Dining Out| Situation | What to prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Foodborne illness | Business name, full address, date, time, food item, symptoms, who became sick, receipt, order number. | Helps public health identify possible outbreaks and prevent more illness. |
| Restaurant complaint | Location, issue observed, date/time, photos if safe, and whether anyone became ill. | Helps inspectors route the complaint to the correct establishment. |
| Food permit | Business type, event type, mobile food unit, farmers market, temporary event, address, menu, and dates. | Different food operations can have different permit documents and review steps. |
| Grocery store or gas station food issue | Ask whether the Tennessee Department of Agriculture route applies. | The official SCHD food safety page points users to Tennessee Department of Agriculture for some establishments. |
If someone has severe dehydration, blood in stool, trouble breathing, confusion, signs of stroke, severe allergic reaction, poisoning, or life-threatening symptoms, use emergency services. Do not wait for an online complaint response.
Shelby County environmental health: septic, wells, vector control, air quality, pools and complaints
Environmental health questions are often address-based. Before calling, write down the property address, ZIP code, nearest cross street, issue date, photos if available, and your best callback number.
Water Quality & Septic
Phone: 901-222-9572. Use for septic tank program and water-quality related routing.
Vector Control
Phone: 901-222-9715. Use for mosquito, vector and related public health control questions.
Air Pollution Control
Phone: 901-222-9599. Use for air pollution control routing and air-quality related questions.
Field Services
Phone: 901-222-8270. Use when the issue may require field or property-related follow-up.
Use the exact address
Environmental Health cannot route many issues well without a location. Give the street address, city, ZIP code, nearest cross street, and whether the concern is inside a home, business, pool, hotel, tattoo/body piercing establishment, personal care home, trailer court, or other site.
If the problem is urgent or dangerous, ask the office whether you should also contact another agency, utility, emergency service, code enforcement office, or Tennessee state program.
Shelby County marriage, divorce and older records: when the Health Department is not the right office
The Shelby County Health Department vital records office is mainly the local route for birth and death certificates. Marriage licenses, certified marriage copies, divorce decrees, and court files may route to different offices.
Shelby County Clerk route
The Shelby County Clerk page lists marriage license office locations and certified copy instructions for marriage licenses.
Open marriage licenseTennessee Office of Vital Records
Use the Tennessee state vital records route for statewide marriage/divorce certificate questions, corrections, older records and official state instructions.
Open TN vital recordsIf an attorney, court, Social Security office, passport office, benefits office, insurance company, or bank asks for a “certified divorce decree,” do not assume a health department certificate is enough. Ask the receiving agency exactly which document is required.
Shelby County Health Department public records request and Tennessee Public Records Act routing
A public records request is not the same as a patient medical record request, birth certificate request, death certificate request, immunization record request, or clinic appointment request. Use public records routing for existing agency records under Tennessee public records rules.
Submit public records through the correct county route
The Shelby County Health Department public records page for Air Pollution Control explains that public records requests must be submitted to the Shelby County Attorney’s Office. The staff directory also lists a Public Records Requests entry with the Shelby County Attorney’s Office mailing address.
Make the request narrow and easy to find
Write the program name, record type, date range, address, permit number, facility name, complaint topic, or staff office if known. A narrow request is easier to process than “send everything about the health department.”
If you need your own clinic chart or dental record, use the Medical and Dental Records authorization route instead of a public records request. If you need a birth or death certificate, use Vital Records.
Shelby County Health Department map, parking and before-you-visit checklist
The main Health Department headquarters is listed at 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. Vital Records, clinics, and program offices may have different room numbers, service counters, hours, and document requirements. Call before visiting if your task is time-sensitive.
| Before you go | Ask this question |
|---|---|
| Correct location | “Should I go to 814 Jefferson Avenue or 1826 Sycamore View Road?” |
| Correct room or counter | “Which room or window handles this service?” |
| Hours | “What is the latest time I should arrive today?” |
| Documents | “Do I need photo ID, proof of relationship, insurance card, school form, authorization form, or payment?” |
| Payment | “What payment methods are accepted for this service?” |
| Appointment | “Is this walk-in, appointment-only, or clinic-site specific?” |
Bring a written list of questions, your ID, a charged phone, any forms already printed, and a folder for receipts. If you are helping someone else, ask what authorization or relationship proof is required before the visit.
Official Shelby County and Tennessee links used for this guide
Use these official pages for final details, forms, fees, eligibility, appointment rules, phone numbers, and submission instructions. This page is an independent guide and does not process records, appointments, complaints, payments, or public records requests.
People also search for: Shelby County Health Department Google and Bing intent guide
These common search-style phrases are included so the page answers real user intent clearly instead of forcing visitors back to Google or Bing.
Shelby County Health Department phone number
Use 901-222-9000 for the main headquarters line, then ask for the correct program.
Phone routeShelby County Health Department vital records
Use the Office of Vital Records for birth and death certificate service.
Vital records routeShelby County birth certificate
Prepare ID, name, date of birth, relationship proof if needed, and payment.
Birth routeShelby County death certificate
Ask whether the record can be issued locally or must go through the Tennessee state route.
Death routeShelby County Health Department immunization records
Call 901-222-9331 and ask whether the record is available in the Tennessee vaccine database.
Shot record routeShelby County Health Department appointment
Use the program-specific line, such as clinic appointment, family planning, dental, or immunization appointment routing.
Appointment routeShelby County food safety complaint
Prepare business name, address, date, time, food, symptoms, receipt and photos if available.
Food safety routeShelby County Health Department Memphis TN
Headquarters is listed at 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105.
Map routeIndependent guide notice, privacy warning and emergency safety
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not the official Shelby County Health Department website, not ShelbyTNHealth.com, not Shelby County government, and not the Tennessee Department of Health.
Do not send Social Security numbers, birth certificates, death certificates, driver licenses, medical records, dental records, immunization records, insurance cards, payment information, complaint evidence, or patient information to an independent guide page. Use official secure pages or official offices for final submission.
Hours, fees, forms, eligibility, record year limits, clinic availability, payment methods, and office locations can change. Confirm final instructions on the official Shelby County Health Department, Shelby County government, or Tennessee Department of Health page before paying, mailing forms, or visiting.
Shelby County Health Department FAQs
What is the Shelby County Health Department phone number?
The main Shelby County Health Department headquarters phone number is 901-222-9000. Use this number when you need general routing and do not know which program handles your issue.
Where is the Shelby County Health Department located?
The main headquarters is listed at 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. Some services, such as Vital Records East Office and Environmental Health & Food Safety, are listed at 1826 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, TN 38134, so call before visiting.
How do I get a birth certificate from Shelby County Health Department?
Use the official Shelby County Birth/Death Certificates page and prepare the correct application, valid ID, record details, relationship proof if required, and payment. Vital Records at 814 Jefferson can be reached at 901-222-9693, and the East Office can be reached at 901-222-9692.
How do I get a death certificate from Shelby County Health Department?
Start with the official Shelby County Birth/Death Certificates page. Prepare the decedent’s name, date of death, county, requestor relationship, ID, and payment. Confirm whether the death record can be issued locally or must route through another official office.
What are the Shelby County Health Department vital records fees?
The official Shelby County birth/death page lists $15.00 for a death certificate, $15.00 for a long form birth certificate, and $15.00 for each additional copy of birth or death. Confirm current fees before visiting or mailing a request.
How do I request immunization records in Shelby County?
Call 901-222-9331 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to request vaccination records. The Health Department says records may be provided if the data is available in Tennessee’s online vaccination database.
How do I make a Shelby County public health clinic appointment?
For public health clinic appointments, use the program-specific route. Immunization clinic appointments are listed at 901-222-9980. Family planning appointments are listed at 901-222-9527. Clinical Services is listed at 901-222-9601.
How do I report a food safety complaint or foodborne illness in Shelby County?
Use the Environmental Health & Food Safety Program or the Food Safety and Dining Out page. Prepare the business name, full address, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt, photos, and whether more than one person became sick.
Does Shelby County Health Department issue marriage or divorce records?
The Shelby County Health Department vital records office focuses on birth and death certificates. Marriage licenses and certified marriage license copies usually route to the Shelby County Clerk. Divorce decrees or court records may require the court or Tennessee vital records route depending on the document requested.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official Shelby County Health Department website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It does not process records, collect payments, schedule appointments, file complaints, issue certificates, or replace ShelbyTNHealth.com, Shelby County government, or the Tennessee Department of Health.