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Office of Vital Records
Security Paper
Minnesota is changing its security-paper supplier
The State of Minnesota has awarded Veritrace the contract to supply security paper to vital records offices, which goes into effect April 1, 2026. The current supplier, Northstar, will supply security paper through
March 31, 2026. Work with the new vendor can't start until the contract is fully executed. The paper supplied by Veritrace will not be available for up to 90 days while the company designs and prints the new product. The cost per sheet of paper through Veritrace will be $0.29.
Check your security paper inventory to determine if you have an adequate supply to continue issuance through the expected 90-day gap in service. You can order from Northstar until the end of March. You should continue to use paper from Northstar until your supply is exhausted.
OVR will work with Veritrace to design the new paper. We expect it to look similar to the currently approved security paper, though it will include additional security features. Bar codes, document control numbers, and three-character county office prefixes will still be used.
The Veritrace contract is for one year but can be renewed up to five times. The company is using an intaglio printing process, which results in a raised, rough imprint that will provide enhanced security compared to the offset-printed paper we use now. The company will offer marriage certificate paper as an option for county offices.
OVR will share additional information, including the ordering process, once the Veritrace contract is fully executed.
Northstar (doing business as AmeriTech Inc.) supplies Minnesota’s vital records paper though a contract with the Minnesota Department of Administration. Northstar prints the paper in its Brooklyn Park facility.
Order security paper online from Northstar/AmeriTech Inc. using the State of Minnesota Vital Record Order Form. The company will email an order confirmation to your office and the Office of Vital Records.
Email health.vitalrecordspaper@state.mn.us to set up a new account with Northstar/AmeriTech.
See the MR&C user guides related to security paper:
Reporting problems
Contact Northstar directly about problems with your paper order or delivery. Then, notify the Office of Vital Records via the Security Paper Problem and Resolution Report (PDF). Contact the Office of Vital Records as soon as possible in the event of security paper theft or fraud.