Last reviewed 2026. This guide is for the Metro Public Health Department of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. It summarizes the official phone numbers, address, clinic locations, vital records, WIC, immunizations, sexual health, dental, behavioral health, environmental health, school health and animal care routes.
Nashville Health Department Phone, Address, Clinics and Public Health Services
The Nashville Health Department is officially the Metro Public Health Department for Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. The main office is the Lentz Public Health Center at 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209. The main phone number is 615-340-5616, and the main public hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This page is for Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee. Do not confuse Metro Public Health Department with a private doctor, hospital, urgent care, Vanderbilt, Nashville General Hospital, a Tennessee state office, or another county health department. For life-threatening emergencies, severe symptoms, overdose, major injury, active danger, chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms or serious allergic reaction, call 911.
- Official agency
- Metro Public Health Department, Nashville and Davidson County
- Official website
- https://www.nashville.gov/departments/health
- Main location
- Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209
- Main phone
- 615-340-5616
- Main hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday closed.
- Vital Records hours
- Applications are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except Metro holidays.
- Metro service help
- For general Metro customer service, dial 311 or 615-862-5000. For non-emergency police assistance, dial 615-862-8600.
Quick answer: what Nashville Health Department handles
The Metro Public Health Department helps protect and improve health for Nashville and Davidson County residents. Common public needs include birth certificates, death certificates, medical and dental records from Metro Health clinics, preventive health appointments, family planning, immunizations, WIC, dental care, sexual health services, behavioral health screenings, food service complaints, public facility inspections, school health, animal care and public health data.
The main number, 615-340-5616, is useful when you do not know where to start. But many services have a faster direct route. For birth certificates call 615-340-5611. For death certificates call 615-340-5612. For food service or public facilities complaints call 615-340-5620. For dental appointments call 615-340-5601. For behavioral health screenings call 615-340-2172. For the Sexual Health Center call 615-340-5670.
Main office
615-340-5616Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209.
Vital Records
Birth certificate questions: 615-340-5611. Death certificate questions: 615-340-5612. Records are handled at Lentz Public Health Center.
Care centers
Lentz, East and Woodbine Public Health Centers provide preventive health services. Call first because appointments are needed for some services.
Nashville Health Department phone numbers by service
Use this phone table to avoid transfers. Program hours can differ from main building hours, so call before driving across Nashville, especially if you need WIC, family planning, dental, sexual health, vaccine records or certificates.
| Need | Best phone or route | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Main Metro Public Health Department | 615-340-5616 | Ask which clinic, division or program handles your health department need. |
| Lentz Preventive Health Care Center | 615-340-5607 | Ask about preventive clinic visits, immunizations, family planning and eligibility. |
| East Public Health Center | 615-862-7916 | Ask about clinic services at 1015 E Trinity Lane. |
| Woodbine Public Health Center | 615-862-7940 | Ask about clinic services at 224 Oriel Avenue. |
| Birth certificates | 615-340-5611 | Ask about Tennessee birth certificate eligibility, ID, fee, mail or in-person options. |
| Death certificates | 615-340-5612 | Ask about certified death certificates, cause-of-death eligibility, ID and fee. |
| WIC at Lentz | 615-340-5619 | Ask about WIC appointment, documents, pregnancy or child information and eligibility. |
| WIC at East | 615-862-6626 | Ask about WIC at East Public Health Center. |
| South Nashville WIC Nutrition Center | 615-880-3210 | Ask about WIC at 3718 Nolensville Pike. |
| Woodbine WIC | 615-880-2299 | Ask about Woodbine WIC hours and appointment needs. |
| Dental care | 615-340-5601 | Ask about children’s dental care, adult emergency dental evaluation and required documents. |
| Sexual Health Center | 615-340-5670 | Ask about STD/HIV testing, PrEP, mpox vaccine, clinic hours and walk-in rules. |
| Behavioral Health Services | 615-340-2172 | Ask about mental health screening, alcohol or drug assessment and appointment availability. |
| Food or public facilities complaint | 615-340-5620 | Ask about food service, hotel, pool, tattoo, school, camp or public facility complaints. |
| School Health Program | 615-340-7781 | Ask about school health program routing, not individual school attendance or enrollment. |
| Metro Animal Care and Control | 615-862-7928 | Ask about animal care, animal control and pet-related public health routing. |
Best call script
Start with one clear sentence: “I live in Davidson County, Tennessee, and I need help with birth certificate, death certificate, WIC, vaccines, dental care, STD testing, family planning, behavioral health screening, restaurant complaint, public facility complaint, school health, or animal care.”
Have your address, phone number, date of birth, child’s immunization record, TennCare or insurance card, proof of income, certificate details, clinic record information, business name, complaint address or animal incident details ready before calling.
Nashville Health Department clinic locations and map
The main Metro Public Health Department location is Lentz Public Health Center. Metro also lists East Public Health Center, Woodbine Public Health Center, South Nashville WIC Nutrition Center and Metro Animal Care and Control as health department-related locations. Use the exact address because Nashville has several public buildings, clinics and hospitals that can be confused with the Health Department.
| Location | Phone and address | Resident note |
|---|---|---|
| Lentz Public Health Center | 615-340-5616. 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209. | Main Metro Public Health location. Also used for Vital Records, Sexual Health Center, dental, preventive health and several programs. |
| East Public Health Center | 615-862-7916. 1015 E Trinity Lane, Nashville, TN 37216. | Clinic services and WIC route. WIC number is 615-862-6626. |
| Woodbine Public Health Center | 615-862-7940. 224 Oriel Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. | Clinic services and WIC route. Woodbine WIC number is 615-880-2299. |
| South Nashville WIC Nutrition Center | 615-880-3210. 3718 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211. | WIC-focused location. Call first for appointment and document requirements. |
| Metro Animal Care and Control | 615-862-7928. 5125 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211. | Use for animal care and animal control services, not routine human clinic services. |
Birth certificates, death certificates and clinic records
The Vital Records Division processes and retains copies of birth certificates and death certificates that occur within Davidson County. The division also provides copies of medical and dental records for people who received treatment at a Metro Health Department clinic. Vital Records is located at Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209.
For birth certificates, Metro states that certified copies are available for births that occurred in Tennessee. Birth certificates can be issued going back 100 years; births over 100 years must go through the Tennessee Archives. For death certificates, requestors must have a valid government-issued photo ID, and certified death certificates with cause of death have eligibility limits such as parent, child or spouse unless valid documentation is provided.
Birth certificate route
615-340-5611Standard certified birth certificate copies are listed at $15. Each additional copy is $15. A Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity is listed at $5, and records with VAoP attached are listed at $20 because they must be issued together.
Death certificate route
615-340-5612Death certificates are listed at $15, each additional copy is $15, and a death record copy issued to another government agency is listed at $15. Applications are accepted 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Confirm the record type. Birth certificate, death certificate, medical record and dental record are different requests.
- Confirm the record location. Metro Public Health can issue only eligible Tennessee birth records through its rules and Davidson County-related records as described by Metro.
- Bring valid ID. Certificate requests require proof of identity and may require proof of eligibility.
- Verify current fees. Fees can change, so confirm before mailing or visiting.
- Use the right phone. Call 615-340-5611 for birth certificates and 615-340-5612 for death certificates.
Preventive health centers, family planning and clinic services
Metro Public Health operates preventive health care centers at Lentz, East and Woodbine. The preventive health page says all patients should call to schedule an appointment for a visit, and patients are required to sign in by 2:30 p.m. for walk-in services at all three public health centers. It also notes that WIC and family planning need appointments.
Clinical health services can include family planning, immunizations, oral health, pharmacy services, preventive health, Project Access Nashville and related public health clinic support. Some services use a sliding fee scale or financial eligibility rules. Do not assume every service is free, walk-in or available at every location every day.
| Preventive center | Phone and hours | Useful notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lentz Public Health Center, Suite 120 | 615-340-5607. Listed center hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; closed for lunch daily 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Call 615-340-5619 for WIC at Lentz. Some staff-meeting closures apply. |
| East Public Health Center | 615-862-7916. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Call 615-862-6626 for WIC at East. Staff meeting closure applies second Wednesday 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. |
| Woodbine Public Health Center | 615-862-7940. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Woodbine WIC is listed Thursday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; staff meeting closure applies second Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
WIC in Nashville and Davidson County
The Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program supports eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and young children. Metro lists WIC at Lentz, East, South Nashville WIC Nutrition Center and Woodbine. Call the location before visiting because WIC is appointment-based and document requirements matter.
WIC locations and phone numbers
- Lentz WIC: 615-340-5619, 2500 Charlotte Avenue.
- East WIC: 615-862-6626, 1015 E Trinity Lane.
- South Nashville WIC: 615-880-3210, 3718 Nolensville Pike.
- Woodbine WIC: 615-880-2299, 224 Oriel Avenue.
Ask WIC before visiting
- What proof of identity is required?
- What proof of address or Davidson County residence is needed?
- What income or benefits proof should I bring?
- What pregnancy, infant or child information is required?
- Can I transfer WIC from another county or state?
Immunizations and vaccine records
The Immunization Program provides routine child and adult immunizations. Metro says eligible children from birth through 18 may receive free federally funded vaccine through the Vaccines for Children Program, with an administration fee that slides according to income. Adult immunization information says free federal vaccine is available for uninsured adults age 19 to 64 for certain recommended vaccines, also with an administration fee that slides according to income.
For school shots, bring the child’s immunization record, school form, parent or guardian ID, TennCare or insurance information and any letter from school. Parents should call ahead because clinic flow, vaccine stock, age rules, insurance billing and seasonal vaccine guidance can change.
Do not wait until the week school starts to solve missing vaccine paperwork. Some vaccines require dose spacing, old records may need to be found, and families may need more than one visit. Call the preventive health center early and ask exactly which vaccines or records are needed.
Sexual Health Center, STD/HIV testing and mpox vaccine help
The Sexual Health Center is located at Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 110. Metro lists Monday through Friday hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with closure for a staff meeting the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The last patient walk-in must sign in by 2:30 p.m., and walk-ins may be limited depending on staffing or demand.
Additional sexual health center services are listed at East Public Health Center and Woodbine Public Health Center. East lists sexual health hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a second-Wednesday closure from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Woodbine lists 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Sexual Health Center phone route commonly used for mpox vaccine and sexual health questions is 615-340-5670.
Use this route for
- STD or STI testing questions.
- HIV testing or prevention questions.
- PrEP or PEP navigation questions.
- Mpox vaccine questions.
- Condom and safer sex supply information.
Bring or prepare
- Symptoms timeline and exposure date if known.
- Current medications and allergies.
- Recent test results if available.
- Pregnancy possibility if relevant.
- A phone number where clinic staff can contact you.
Oral Health Services and Lentz Dental Clinic
The Lentz Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental care for children age 20 and younger. TennCare is accepted. For patients without TennCare, Metro lists a sliding fee schedule based on income and number of people in the household. For limited adult emergencies, Davidson County residents age 21 and older may call each morning at 8:00 a.m. to request an evaluation appointment for that day. The dental appointment phone number is 615-340-5601.
For a first child dental visit, Metro lists items such as the patient’s Social Security card, birth certificate and TennCare or insurance card if applicable. Parent or legal guardian items can include identification for household members, proof of Davidson County residency, proof of income and proof of legal custody if the adult is not the parent.
Behavioral Health Services, Narcan and screenings
Behavioral Health Services at Metro Public Health provides mental health screenings, alcohol and drug assessments, referrals and support routes. Metro states assessments and brief mental health screenings are conducted at the Lentz Building by appointment only Monday through Friday. There is no fee for the assessment service. The program phone number is 615-340-2172.
The Behavioral Health Services page says teen alcohol or drug and mental health screenings and referrals are available for ages 13 to 17 at no charge. It also says adults or family members seeking help for alcohol or drug problems may call for assessment and referral. Walk-ins may be seen as time permits, but calling for an appointment is the safer route.
If someone may harm themselves or others, is in immediate danger, has overdosed, is unresponsive, or needs urgent emergency care, call 911. Behavioral health screening is helpful for non-emergency assessment and referral, but it is not a substitute for emergency response.
Food service complaints, public facilities and inspections
The Food and Public Facilities team handles food service establishments such as restaurants, snack bars and school cafeterias. The same team also inspects pools, hotels, tattoo studios, school facilities, day care facilities and camps. For food service or public facilities questions, Metro lists 615-340-5620.
Inspection scores use a 0 to 100 point scale. Metro explains that non-priority violations count as 1 to 2 points and priority violations count as 4 to 5 points. Priority violations must be corrected immediately or within 10 days. Administrative actions can be required if establishments fail to correct critical violations or repeat critical violations.
Food complaint checklist
- Restaurant or business name.
- Exact address.
- Date and time of visit.
- Food eaten or condition observed.
- Symptoms and when they started.
- Receipt or photos if available.
Public facilities covered
- Hotels and bed and breakfasts.
- Swimming pools.
- Schools and childcare locations.
- Camps.
- Tattoo and body piercing shops.
- Prisons and other public facilities.
What Nashville Health Department does not handle
A good health department page should also prevent wrong trips. Metro Public Health is not the right first stop for every health-related problem in Nashville. If your issue is hospital billing, emergency room treatment, private physician records, pharmacy prescriptions from a private provider, a Vanderbilt appointment, a Nashville General Hospital bill, TennCare statewide enrollment, or an issue outside Davidson County, use the correct provider or agency.
Use 911 for emergencies
Use 911 for immediate danger, serious injury, overdose, severe allergic reaction, violent crisis, stroke symptoms, chest pain, severe shortness of breath or life-threatening symptoms.
Use 311 for Metro service help
For general Metro customer service and assistance from a Metro department, Nashville lists 311 or 615-862-5000. Non-emergency police assistance is 615-862-8600.
Official Nashville Health Department links
Use these official links for final verification before visiting, mailing forms, paying certificate fees, requesting records, booking WIC, seeking clinic care or filing a complaint.
Main pages
Clinical services
Special clinics
Environmental health
Animal care
Use Animal Care and Control for animal-related public services. Use emergency care first for serious bites or immediate danger.
Nashville Health Department FAQ
What is the Nashville Health Department phone number?
The main Metro Public Health Department phone number is 615-340-5616. Program-specific numbers include birth certificates at 615-340-5611, death certificates at 615-340-5612, dental appointments at 615-340-5601, behavioral health at 615-340-2172 and food or public facilities complaints at 615-340-5620.
Where is the Nashville Health Department located?
The main location is Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209.
What are the Nashville Health Department hours?
The main Metro Public Health Department page lists Monday through Friday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday closed. Vital Records applications are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Metro holidays. Clinic hours can vary by program.
What phone number do I call for a Nashville birth certificate?
Call 615-340-5611 for birth certificate questions. Birth certificates are handled through Vital Records at Lentz Public Health Center.
What phone number do I call for a Nashville death certificate?
Call 615-340-5612 for death certificate questions. Applications for death certificates are accepted at the Vital Records office at Lentz Public Health Center.
Does Nashville Health Department offer WIC?
Yes. WIC is available through Lentz, East, South Nashville WIC Nutrition Center and Woodbine. Key WIC numbers are Lentz 615-340-5619, East 615-862-6626, South Nashville 615-880-3210 and Woodbine 615-880-2299.
Where can I get vaccines from Metro Public Health?
Metro lists immunization services through its clinical health services and preventive health care centers. Lentz, East and Woodbine are key clinic locations. Call before visiting to verify vaccine availability, eligibility, fees and whether an appointment is required.
Does Nashville Health Department offer dental care?
Yes. Lentz Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental care for children age 20 and younger, and limited adult emergency evaluation for Davidson County residents age 21 and older. Call 615-340-5601 for an appointment.
How do I contact the Sexual Health Center?
The Sexual Health Center is located at Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 110. Call 615-340-5670 for STD/HIV testing, sexual health and mpox vaccine questions.
How do I file a restaurant or food service complaint in Nashville?
Call 615-340-5620 or use the official food service complaint route. Prepare the restaurant name, address, date, time, food eaten, symptoms, photos or receipt if available.
Is Metro Public Health the same as a hospital?
No. Metro Public Health Department is a public health agency, not a hospital. For hospital care, billing, emergency room records or specialist appointments, contact the hospital or provider directly. For emergencies, call 911.
Is this the official Nashville Health Department website?
No. This is an independent directory guide. For official hours, fees, clinic availability, records, forms, public health notices and service updates, use Nashville.gov and Metro Public Health Department’s official pages.