What are Virginia Vital Records?

Vital records in Virginia consist of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Virginia began keeping vital records in 1912. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of vital records for the state. They issue certified copies to eligible individuals. Vital records are not public records in Virginia for a number of years. Therefore, only close family members and authorized legal representatives can get copies. The Office of Vital Records allows you to order certified copies in person, online, or by mail. This agency also handles everything health-related for the state, including emergency preparedness, health research and statistics, and reporting.

Virginia Birth Records

The state of Virginia began keeping birth records in 1912. Birth records are not public records for 100 years. Therefore, only close family members and legal representatives and other authorized agents can get copies. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of birth records for the state.  They allow eligible individuals to get copies online, through the mail and also in person at their offices. Certified copies of birth records are necessary when you apply for a driver's license, passport, government job, or when you attend school and sign up for sports or any other legal purpose where you need to verify your age and identity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Virginia?

You must contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. They are the official custodian of birth records and supply certified copies upon request.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of birth records for the state and allows you to get copies through the mail, online, and in-person at their office. You must fill out an application and pay a fee when ordering.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Virginia?

Each certified copy of a birth record in Virginia is $12. You can order as many as you like at the same time. They charge a $50 fee for returned checks.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records are not public records for 100 years. Therefore, only the following list of people can get a copy:

  1. Self.
  2. Mother.
  3. Father.
  4. Adult child.
  5. Maternal grandparent.
  6. Paternal grandparent.
  7. Current spouse.
  8. Adult sister.
  9. Adult brother.
  10. Legal guardian.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Virginia birth certificate?

When you request copies of your Virginia birth certificate, you must supply the following information:

  1. Full name at birth.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Place of birth.
  4. Hospital.
  5. Gender.
  6. Full maiden name of the mother.
  7. Full name of the father.
  8. Reason for the request.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and your relationship to the party listed on the certificate.

Where can I find historical vital records in Virginia for genealogy research?

You can contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. They have all birth records since 1912 and offer resources for genealogy.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

You can use the same application form to request a record or to make a change. You must indicate you are making a correction and pay the proper fee.

Can I get a refund if my Virginia birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Virginia Death Records

Virginia has been keeping track of death records since 1912. Death records are not public records for 25 years; then, they are opened to the public. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of death records for the state. This office allows eligible parties to request copies of death certificates through the mail, online, and in person. Only close family members and authorized legal representatives are eligible to receive copies. Death records are used when you get remarried, when you apply for death benefits, or file a claim on a life insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Death Records

How do I find death records in Virginia?

You must contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records; they are the custodians of all death records. However, once death records become public, they are added to the online indexes, where you can also to find death records.

Are death records public in Virginia?

Not for the first 25 years, then they are opened to the public and indexed online.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Virginia?

The cost of each copy of a Virginia death certificate is $12. You can order as many as you like at the same time.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Virginia death record?

If you visit their office in person, you can get a copy while you wait. If you order through the mail or online, you will wait a few days to a few weeks depending on the backlog of orders.

Who can request death records?

Since death records are private for 25 years, only the following list of people can get copies:

  1. Mother.
  2. Father.
  3. Adult child.
  4. Maternal grandparent.
  5. Paternal grandparent.
  6. Current spouse.
  7. Adult sister.
  8. Adult brother.
  9. Legal guardian.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Virginia death certificate?

When requesting copies of a Virginia death certificate, you will need to provide the following information:

  1. Name at death.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Age at death.
  4. Gender.
  5. Place of death.
  6. Hospital name.
  7. Full maiden name of the mother.
  8. Full name of the father.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and your relationship to the party listed on the certificate. You must also prove your eligibility to receive the record.

Where can I find historical death records in Virginia?

You can contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. That agency has all records dating back to 1912, and they have genealogy resources for those who need them.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

You can use the same form that you request copies with. Fill out the form and make your change, pay the fee, and submit it. Your request will be evaluated, and if approved, the change made.

Can I get a refund if my Virginia death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Virginia Marriage Records

Virginia has been keeping track of marriage and divorce records since the early 1900s. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records has marriage records from 1936 until the present day. They are the government agency in charge of providing marriage certificates to eligible parties. Marriage records are not public records for the first 25 years; then, they are opened up to the public. Many marriage records (over the age of 25) can be found online using the Virginia index search tool. The Office of Vital Records allows you to request copies online, through the mail using their downloadable form, or in person at their offices. Marriage records come in handy when you want to change your name, apply for insurance, or some other situation where you need to prove you are married.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Marriage Records

Are Virginia marriage records public?

Not right away. Marriage records in Virginia are kept private for 25 years then they are opened up.

What Virginia marriage records are available?

The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records has marriage records from 1936 to the present. If you need older records, you could contact the Clerk of the Court, where the original marriage license was filed.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Virginia?

If you visit in person, you can get records the same day. If you order online or through the mail, it may take days or even weeks, depending on how many orders they are processing.

How much does a Virginia marriage certificate cost?

The cost for a Virginia marriage record is $12. You can order as many copies as you like at the same time.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When you request certified copies of a Virginia marriage record, you will need to supply the following information:

  1. Party A's full name.
  2. Party B's full name.
  3. Date of marriage.
  4. Place of marriage.
  5. Number of copies needed.
  6. Circuit court where the license was issued.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and your relationship to the party listed on the certificate. You must also prove your eligibility to receive the record.

How do I get a copy of a Virginia marriage record?

You must contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. They are the custodian of marriage records in Virginia and can provide copies from 1936 to present to eligible individuals.

What if I didn't get married in Virginia?

If you were not married in the state of Virginia, you must contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the county/state where your original marriage license was granted.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Marriage records are not public for the first 25 years. Therefore, only the following individuals may receive copies:

  1. Either party A or party B.
  2. Mother.
  3. Father.
  4. Adult child.
  5. Maternal grandparent.
  6. Paternal grandparent.
  7. Current spouse.
  8. Adult sister.
  9. Adult brother.
  10. Legal guardian.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Virginia?

You must contact the Circuit Court, where the original marriage license was filed to make any corrections or apply for an amendment.

Virginia Divorce Records

The state of Virginia has been keeping divorce records since the early 1900s. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records has divorce records from 1918 to the present. This agency is the custodian for divorce certificates and issues them to eligible parties upon request. Divorce records are private for 25 years then opened up to the public. Therefore, only close family and legal representatives can get copies. However, once they are opened up, the state has an index where you can search for marriage and divorce and other vital records. This agency allows you to get copies through the mail, online, and in-person at their office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Virginia?

Yes. After 25 years, most vital records are put online and indexed so that the public can easily search and find them.

How do I find old divorce records?

Contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. They have records dating back to 1918. If you need older records, you will need to contact the Circuit Court where the divorce was finalized.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

Fill out the application and return it to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records with your fee. They allow you to do this online, thought the mail, and in person.

What information is needed to search for a Virginia divorce record?

When searching for divorce records in Virginia, you will need the following information:

  1. Party A's full name.
  2. Party B's full name.
  3. Date of divorce.
  4. Place of divorce.
  5. Number of copies needed.
  6. Circuit court where the divorce was granted.

As the requestor, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and your relationship to the party listed on the certificate. You must also prove your eligibility to receive the record.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Virginia?

If you were not divorced in Virginia, you must contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state/county where the divorce was granted.