Vital Records Search

Marriage & Divorce Records, Birth & Death Records, Public Records & More!

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Databases Updated on Dec 18, 2025

What Information is Available in Vital Records Reports?

A vital records report may provide official details about key life events—such as births, marriages, divorces, and deaths—that are typically collected and maintained by government agencies. Depending on the record type and jurisdiction, these reports may include names, dates, locations, parental information, causes of death, and other identifying data relevant to the specific event.

Divorce Records

Divorce Records

Curious if your current love interest has any skeletons in their closet like they are still married and never got divorced? Find out quickly and efficiently if someone has filed for divorce and the state they filed in. You can also see the names and ages of both parties.

Birth Records

Birth Records

Birth records can tell you a lot about a person, including their real name, parents' names, their actual date of birth, and where they were born. Our lookup tool makes the job of researching birth records quick and easy.

Death Records

Death Records

Death records can be tricky to locate if you don't have the right resource or know where to look. Using a search tool like ours, you can find death records from all over the country that include the deceased's name, the cause of death, date, time and location of death, and more.

Marriage Records

Marriage Records

Marriage records are asource of family information, including Marriage Dates, Bride and Groom's Sex, Ages, Full Names and more.Use our fast online search to know Bride's Maiden Name or the full Marital History of both spouses.

What Are Vital Records?

What Are Vital Records?

Vital records are government-issued documents that capture major life events, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. These records are typically maintained at the local or state level rather than by the federal government. They serve critical purposes, from verifying identity and citizenship to settling estates and applying for benefits.

Accessing vital records online may allow individuals to quickly obtain legal proof needed for passports, Social Security, or other official matters. They also play a vital role in genealogy and family history research, linking generations through names, dates, and relationships. Whether used for legal identification or tracing ancestral roots, vital records can help preserve both personal and public history with accuracy and reliability.

How To Get Vital Records

Interested persons can easily and conveniently search vital records on RecordsFinder.com. While official records are often available through local or state agencies, these channels typically require eligibility verification and paperwork. In contrast, RecordsFinder offers a simplified vital records search experience using publicly available information.

To begin a search, enter the individual's full name; you may include the city and state to narrow down the results. In seconds, you may receive a detailed report with available public data, including birth dates, death records, marriage details, and divorce information. In case you only intend to search a specific type of vital records, you may use the relevant birth, death, marriage, or divorce search page.

RecordsFinder compiles data from trusted public and private sources, making it easier to access historical and non-restricted vital records. While some recent records, like births within the past 100 years or recent deaths, may require official authorization, RecordsFinder is a helpful starting point for identifying older or publicly available records. If initial results are too broad, refine your search with more specific details or alternate spellings.

Vital Records By State

Obtaining vital records in the United States depends on state-specific laws and the agencies responsible for maintaining them, so requirements can vary widely. Users should check their state's eligibility rules and any access restrictions that may limit who can request certain records.

Who Might Use Vital Records and Why?

Vital records are critical documents used to verify identity, claim benefits, and handle legal matters. A birth certificate is typically required to apply for government-issued IDs like passports and driver's licenses, serving as legal proof of identity and citizenship. Similarly, death certificates are often necessary when claiming life insurance, as they legally confirm the policyholder's passing. These records are also used for genealogy research, verifying family ties, and supporting applications for Social Security or survivor benefits.

Whether applying for official documents, settling estates, or confirming relationships, vital records ensure that key life events are properly documented and recognized by institutions, agencies, and legal systems.

FAQs About Vital Records

Are vital records online legit?

Vital records obtained online are generally reliable when sourced from official government agencies or reputable platforms like RecordsFinder.

How do I check the status of my vital records requests?

To check the status of your vital records request, visit the agency or search RecordsFinder where you submitted it and use the “check status” feature, or contact customer support by phone or email for updates.

Can I access someone else's birth or death record?

Access to someone else's birth or death records in the U.S. depends on state laws, your relationship to the individual, and your intended use, with most states limiting access to the record holder or authorized parties like immediate family members or legal representatives.

How long does it take to get a birth certificate from the vital records?

The time to receive a birth certificate depends on the state or county, submission method (online, mail, or in person), and the processing agency, with online requests often fulfilled within minutes and mail-in or in-person requests potentially taking several weeks.

Are vital records the same in every state?

While the information (birth, death, marriage, and divorce records) considered vital records are similar across the United States, the content and format of each of these documents vary by state.

How can I get a copy of a vital record?

You can obtain a copy of vital records online by visiting the official website of the appropriate state or local agency, keeping in mind that each state has its procedures and requirements. Alternatively, you may request records in person during business hours, but be sure to take along valid identification and check ahead for any associated fees and accepted payment methods.

Why Choose RecordsFinder.com?

Fast

Fast

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Comprehensive

Comprehensive

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Affordable

Affordable

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Reliable

Reliable

Millions of users rely on us to deliver accurate and current data for their information needs.