Table of Contents
- What are West Virginia Vital Records?
- West Virginia Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Birth Records
- West Virginia Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Death Records
- West Virginia Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Marriage Records
- West Virginia Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Divorce Records
What are West Virginia Vital Records?
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is the government agency in charge of vital records for the state. These records consist of birth, death, marriage, and stillbirth records. West Virginia is not an "open record" state. Therefore, only certain people can get copies of your vital records. The Department of Health and Human Resources allows eligible parties to request certified copies through the mail, in person, or by phone, internet, or fax via VitalChek. You must fill out an application, pay a fee, and provide proper ID to verify your identity when ordering. The Health and Human Resources office also handles all health research and wellbeing statistics for the state.
West Virginia Birth Records
West Virginia has been keeping birth records since 1860. Birth records are kept private for 100 years; then, they are opened to the public except for any medical information on them. The state has a lookup feature where you can search the database for historical birth records. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is the government agency in charge of birth records for the state, and they allow eligible individuals to get copies through the mail, in person and by phone, fax, or internet using VitalChek. Birth records are not public records in West Virginia. Therefore, only certain people can get copies. You need a copy of your certified birth record when you apply for a passport, get a driver's license, sign up for sports, apply for a government job, or attend school.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Birth Records
How do I find birth records in West Virginia?
You can contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. They are the agency in charge of issuing certified copies. If you are looking for public birth records (over 100 years old), you can consult the West Virginia historical birth records database.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in West Virginia?
Download the application on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resourceswebsite and visit in person or mail it in with your payment. You can also use the VitalChek service to get copies, but additional fees apply.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in West Virginia?
The cost depends on how you order. If you visit in person or mail in your application, the cost is $12 per copy. If you order through VitalChek, you must pay $30.50 per copy plus shipping. They do offer expedited shipping options. You can order as many as you like at one time. Search fees are non-refundable.
Who can request birth records?
West Virginia is not an open records state and therefore, only the following people can get a copy of yours:
- "The Person on the Certificate.
- The Parents and Grandparents of Person on the Certificate.
- The Wife or Husband of the Person on the Certificate.
- The Children and Grandchildren of the Person on the Certificate.
- The Brothers or Sisters.
- Anyone who has Legal interest in the Certificate."
What information do I need when getting a copy of my West Virginia birth certificate?
When you order a copy of someone's birth record, you will need the following information:
- Full name of the person listed on the certificate.
- Birthdate.
- Gender.
- Mother's maiden name.
- Father's full name.
- Place of birth (city/county/hospital).
- Your relationship to the person on record.
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and a signature. You also have to produce a valid photo ID and prove the relationship.
Where can I find historical vital records in West Virginia for genealogy research?
West Virginia has birth records dating back to 1860, and they have set up a historical database of records where you can search for open public birth records (over 100 years old).
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
West Virginia has strict laws for correcting and amending birth records. You can find out more about how to make a change here.
Can I get a refund if my West Virginia birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
West Virginia Death Records
West Virginia has been keeping track of death records since 1860. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is the government agency in charge of vital records for the state, and they issue death certificates upon request to eligible individuals. West Virginia is not an open records state, and therefore, only certain people can get copies of someone's death certificate. The Department of Health and Human Resources allows eligible parties to request certified copies through the mail, in person, and via fax, phone, and online using the VitalChek service. Death records are necessary when you apply for death benefits, submit a claim for a life insurance policy, or get remarried after being widowed.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Death Records
How do I find death records in West Virginia?
You can contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. They are the custodians of vital records for the state. You can also contact the West Virginia Division of Culture and History's Archives and History Library for vital records that have become public (after 100 years).
Are death records public in West Virginia?
No. West Virginia is not an open records state. All vital records are kept private for 100 years; then, they are opened to the public.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in West Virginia?
Each certified copy of someone's death record costs $12 if ordered in person or through the mail. If you order through VitalChek, you must pay $30.50 per copy plus shipping. They do offer expedited shipping options.
How long does it take to get a copy of a West Virginia death record?
In-person is the fastest way to get a copy. You can get one in about fifteen minutes by visiting in person. If you order by mail, it will take five to 19 business days. If you order through VitalChek, you can get a copy within two to ten days, depending on which shipping method you choose.
Who can request death records?
West Virginia is not an open records state. Therefore, only the following people can get copies of someone's death record:
- "The Parents and Grandparents of Person on the Certificate.
- The Wife or Husband of the Person on the Certificate.
- The Children and Grandchildren of the Person on the Certificate.
- The Brothers or Sisters.
- Funeral Director.
- Anyone who has Legal interest in the Certificate."
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's West Virginia death certificate?
When ordering a copy of someone's death record, you will need the following information:
- The full name of the person listed on the certificate.
- Date of death.
- City of death.
- County of death.
- State of death.
- Gender.
- Your relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and a signature. You also have to produce a valid photo ID and prove the relationship.
Where can I find historical death records in West Virginia?
You can contact the West Virginia Division of Culture and History's Archives and History Library to find vital records that have become public (after 100 years).
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
The process for correcting vital records in West Virginia is subject to strict laws and depends on when the change occurs. You can learn more about the process here.
Can I get a refund if my West Virginia death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
West Virginia Marriage Records
The state of West Virginia has marriage records that date back to 1924. West Virginia is not an open records state, and therefore only certain people can get copies of marriage records. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is the government agency in charge of marriage records and issuing certified copies to eligible individuals. However, if you were just married, you would need to contact the County Clerk's Office in the county that issued the marriage license. They are required to register records with the Department of Health, but it sometimes takes time for records to arrive. Marriage records come in handy when you want to change your name or other instances when you want to verify your marital status. The Department of Health allows you to request records in person, through the mail, and by phone, fax, or internet through VitalChek.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Marriage Records
Are West Virginia marriage records public?
No. West Virginia is not an open records state, and only certain people are allowed to get copies. After 100 years, however, they are opened to the public.
What West Virginia marriage records are available?
The Vital Records Registration office has records dating back to 1924. The State Archives office may have older records, but there will be gaps.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in West Virginia?
It depends on how you order. In-person is the fastest way to get a copy. You can get one in about fifteen minutes by visiting in person. If you order by mail, it will take five to 19 business days. If you order through VitalChek, you can get a copy within two to ten days, depending on which shipping method you choose.
How much does a West Virginia marriage certificate cost?
The cost for a certified copy of your marriage certificate is $12 when you order in person or by mail. If you order through VitalChek, you must pay $30.50 per copy plus shipping. They do offer expedited shipping options.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When you request a copy of someone's marriage record, you will need the following information:
- Groom's full name.
- Bride's maiden name.
- Place of application (city/county/state).
- Date of marriage.
- Your relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address, phone number, email address, and a signature. You also have to produce a valid photo ID and prove the relationship.
How do I get a copy of a West Virginia marriage record?
You must contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. You can get a copy by mail or in person. You can also use the VitalChek service to get copies. If you were recently married, contact the County Clerk's Office to get a copy.
What if I didn't get married in West Virginia?
If you were not married in West Virginia, you must contact either the vital records office, County Clerk's Office, or the Clerk of the Court in the state/county where your marriage license was filed.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
West Virginia is not an open records state. Therefore, only the following people can get certified copies:
- The Bride and Groom.
- The Children and Grandchildren of the Bride or Groom.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in West Virginia?
The process for correcting vital records in West Virginia is subject to strict laws and depends on when the change occurs. You can learn more about the process here.
West Virginia Divorce Records
West Virginia has been keeping divorce records since 1924. Each individual Circuit Court Clerk holds these records in the county where the divorce was granted. Divorce records are considered public records and therefore are open to the public along with many other court records. If you need historical divorce records for genealogy research, you can contact the West Virginia Vital Registration Office for records from 1967 until the present. Divorce records are needed when you want to change your name back, get remarried, or prove your marital state. When ordering copies of records, you will need to fill out a form and pay the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in West Virginia?
Yes. The West Virginia Vital Registration's Office has online divorce record indexes from 1967 until the present. Those will have enough information to get actual copies from the courts.
How do I find old divorce records?
Contact the West Virginia Vital Registration Office for records from 1967 until the present. You can also consult the West Virginia State Archives for old historical divorce records.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
Contact the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted for a divorce certificate or a full copy of the divorce decree.
What information is needed to search for a West Virginia divorce record?
When requesting copies of divorce records for someone in West Virginia, you will need to supply the following information:
- Party A's full name.
- Party B's full name.
- Place of divorce (city/county/state).
- Date of divorce.
As the applicant, you must also supply your name, address to mail the certificate to.
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 West Virginia?
If you were not divorced in West Virginia, you would need to contact either the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state/county where your divorce was granted.