The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) is lending a helping hand to families gearing up for the new school year. This upcoming Saturday, July 26, the SCHD's Office of Vital Records will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide essential services like issuing certified copies of birth certificates, a must-have for school enrollment. These extra hours of operation are specifically set to accommodate those who cannot make it during the week, with Saturday service available every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
The SCHD's initiative to open its doors on Saturday emerges as a practical solution for busy parents balancing work schedules and the back-to-school frenzy, the Vital Records office will welcome visitors at 814 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105, offering not just birth certificates, but also access to the Immunization Program, the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program, and the Sexual Health Program. To receive a birth certificate, which costs $15.00 payable by cash, debit, or credit card (American Express excluded), applicants must provide a valid photo ID and meet certain eligibility criteria, according to the Shelby County Health Department's announcement.
In a statement penned by Dr. Bruce Randolph, Interim Director and Health Officer of the Shelby County Health Department, families were assured that the county empathizes with the stress that back-to-school preparations bring, “We understand that back-to-school season can be a stressful time for families, and we want to help make it a little easier," he highlighted the department's commitment to community needs.
The extended hours for vital records and health services reflect the county's ongoing efforts to be more accessible to its residents. They help ensure that children are ready and able to start their school year without undue obstacles. Providing certified copies of vital documents and necessary immunizations is just part of the county’s broader strategy to support familial well-being and child development throughout these foundational years.
