Table of Contents
- What are Vermont Vital Records?
- Vermont Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Birth Records
- Vermont Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Death Records
- Vermont Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Marriage Records
- Vermont Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Divorce Records
What are Vermont Vital Records?
Vermont's Health Statistics and Vital Records Office is the government agency in charge of vital records for the state. These records include births, deaths, marriages, civil unions, divorces, dissolutions, fetal deaths, and abortions. This agency also handles health care reporting and population health surveys and data. Some vital records are not public records until they reach a certain age. Vermont officially began keeping track of vital records in 1857, but some town clerks have records dating back to 1779. The Vital Records Office allows eligible parties to request copies through the nearest town clerk's office, online, through the mail or in person at the local health department.
Vermont Birth Records
Vermont has birth records dating back to 1779 in some towns. Officially the state has been keeping birth records since 1857. Birth records are not public records right away. Therefore, only certain people, like close family members and legal representatives, can get copies. Birth certificates come in handy when you need to apply for a passport for travel, go for your driver's license, sign up for sports, apply for a government job, license, or permit, and other situations where you need to verify your identity and age. Vermont's Health Statistics and Vital Records Office allows you to get copies at any local town clerk's office, through the mail, in person at the local health office or online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Vermont?
You can contact the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office for copies dating back to 1857. The state also has a birth record lookup tool, so you can check for records online from 1909 to the present (that have become public records), and it is updated weekly.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Vermont?
You can contact the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office for certified copies. They have an online system where you can order them, or you can visit in person at the local health office or local town clerk's office or even order them by mail.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Vermont?
Each certified copy of a birth record in Vermont costs $10. You can order as many as you like at the same time.
Who can request birth records?
Birth records are not public records, and therefore, only the following people can get copies:
- Self.
- Spouse.
- Child.
- Parent.
- Sibling.
- Grandparent.
- Legal guardian.
- Court appointed executor or administrator.
- Petitioner for decedents estate.
- Legal representative.
Some other authorized people would be a court representative, someone from the local law enforcement, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, and the deceased's insurance carrier.
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Vermont birth certificate?
When ordering copies of birth records, you will need to provide the following information:
- Name of the child on the certificate.
- Date of birth.
- Gender.
- Town of birth.
- Full name of the mother.
- Full name of the father.
- Is this child foreign-born?
As the applicant, you must also provide your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, signature, and your relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
Where can I find historical vital records in Vermont for genealogy research?
The state of Vermont has set up a website where the public can search public birth records dating back to 1909. It is updated weekly.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
Vermont has a specific application form you can use to correct information on a birth record. If the change occurs more than six months after birth, you will need to get a court order.
Can I get a refund if my Vermont birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
Vermont Death Records
Vermont has been keeping death records since 1857, but some towns have even older records dating back to 1779. The Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office is the government agency in charge of death records and they issue copies of death certificates upon request to eligible individuals. Death records are not public records right away, and only close family and legal representatives can get copies. The Vital Records Office allows you to order copies of death certificates through the mail, in person at the town clerk's office or local health office, and online. Copies of death records are necessary when you apply for death benefits or claim a life insurance policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Death Records
How do I find death records in Vermont?
You can contact the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office for records dating back to 1857. You can also visit the online search database that Vermont set up to find death records.
Are death records public in Vermont?
No, they are kept private for some number of years, then opened up to the public and moved to the online index for searching.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Vermont?
The cost of each certified death certificate is $10. You can order as many as you like at the same time.
How long does it take to get a copy of a Vermont death record?
If you visit a local town clerk's office or the local health department, you can get one same day. If you order through the mail or online, you may have to wait a few days before your copy arrives.
Who can request death records?
Death records are private, and only the following list of people can get a copy:
- Spouse.
- Child.
- Parent.
- Sibling.
- Grandparent.
- Legal guardian.
- Court appointed executor or administrator.
- Petitioner for decedents estate.
- Legal representative.
Some other authorized people would be a court representative, someone from the local law enforcement, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, and the deceased's insurance carrier.
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Vermont death certificate?
When requesting copies of death records, you need to supply the following information:
- Full name of the person listed on the certificate.
- Date of death.
- Gender.
- Place of death.
- Full name of the mother.
- Full name of the father.
As the applicant, you must also provide your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, signature, and your relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
Where can I find historical death records in Vermont?
You can search for historical death records online by using the Vermont search database. They have records dating back to 1909.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
To have a death record corrected, you must contact the courts in the county where the death occurred. They will have you fill out a form and pay a fee before making the change.
Can I get a refund if my Vermont death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Vermont Marriage Records
Marriage records in Vermont are kept and maintained by two different organizations. For marriages that occurred before and up to 2013, you can contact the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration. For marriages from 2014 to the present, you must contact the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office (a division of the Department of Health). The Department of Health allows eligible parties to get copies through the mail and in person at any Department of Health office. Marriage records come in handy when you need to change your name, apply for insurance or credit cards, and other instances where you need to verify your marital state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Marriage Records
Are Vermont marriage records public?
Not right away. Vermont marriage records are kept private for some number of years and then opened to the public and kept online for searches.
What Vermont marriage records are available?
The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration has records from 2013 and earlier. The Vermont Department of Health, Health Statistics and Vital Records Office has records from 2014 to the present.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Vermont?
If you visit either a town clerk's office or the local health office, you can get one while you wait. If you order through the mail, it will take a few days to get your copy.
How much does a Vermont marriage certificate cost?
The Vermont Department of Health, Health Statistics and Vital Records Office charges $10 each for copies of certified marriage certificates. You can order as many as you like at the same time.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When requesting copies of marriage records in Vermont, you need the following information:
- Name of party A.
- Name of party B.
- Date of the marriage.
As the applicant, you must also provide your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, signature, relationship to the person listed on the certificate, and the record's purpose.
How do I get a copy of a Vermont marriage record?
You can contact either the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration or the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office. Each has copies for different time periods. You must fill out an application and pay a fee for each copy.
What if I didn't get married in Vermont?
If you were not married in Vermont, you must contact the Clerk of the Court or the vital records office in the county/state where your marriage license was filed.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Only close family relatives and legal representatives can get copies of someone else's marriage certificate until they are opened to the public.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Vermont?
You must contact the Clerk of the Court where your marriage license was filed.
Vermont Divorce Records
The state of Vermont offers divorce records and civil union dissolutions. You can order copies that are from 2014 and earlier from the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration. For records 2014 to present, you can contact the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office. The Vital Records Office allows eligible parties to order them through the mail using the downloadable application and paying a fee or by visiting their office in person. Divorce records are not public records for some number of years; then, they are opened up to the public. Divorce records are needed when you get remarried or other situations where you must verify your marital status.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Vermont?
Yes. The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration has records online and has partnered with FamilySearch.orgto provide these records online. You can also find them on other third-party websites.
How do I find old divorce records?
Contact the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration. They have all old divorce records from 2014 and older.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
Depending on the date of the divorce, contact either the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration or the Vermont Health Statistics and Vital Records Office. You will need to fill out an application and pay a fee when ordering.
What information is needed to search for a Vermont divorce record?
When requesting divorce records, you will need to supply the following information:
- Name of party A.
- Name of party B.
- Date of the divorce/dissolution.
As the applicant, you must also provide your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, signature, your relationship to the person listed on the certificate and the purpose for 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 Vermont?
If you were not divorced in Vermont, you must contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state/county where your divorce was finalized.