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Vital records, as their name suggests, are
connected with central life events: birth,
marriage, and death. Maintained by civil
authorities, they are prime sources of
genealogical information; but, unfortunately,
official vital records are available only for
relatively recent periods. These records,
despite their recent creation in the United
States, are critically important in genealogical
research, often supplying details on family
members well back into the nineteenth century.
The Source: A Guidebook of
American Genealogy,
by Loretto Szucs and Sandra Luebking.
Ancestry.com
West Virginia State Database
A large collection of databases
of births, deaths, marriages, census,
obituaries, directories, estate records, and
service records.
Get 14 Days Free Access!!!
Vital Registration, Division of Health
350 Capitol St, Rm. 165
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
(304) 558-2931
Info: (304) 558-2931
Fax: (304) 343-2169
Births $5.00
In terms of obtaining vital records, West
Virginia is not an "open record" state. Access
to certified copies of birth certificates is
restricted to the following individuals:
- The registrant (person named on the
certificate) as long as they are 18 years or
older or are emancipated by court order or
marriage
- Mother or father as listed on the
certificate or current step-parent of
registrant
- Legal guardian (submit copy of
guardianship papers)
- Registrant's spouse
- Children, grandchildren, great
grandchildren, etc of the registrant
(including half and step relationships)
- Brother or sister of the registrant
(including half and step relationships)
- Mother-in-law / Father-in-law of
registrant
- Son-in-law / Daughter-in-law of
registrant
- Grandparents and Great-grandparents of
the registrant
In addition, a legal representative of one of
the above or an authorized government agency may
obtain a certified copy.
Those who do not meet one of the above
categories, but who can demonstrate a direct or
tangible interest in the record should contact
the office directly for instructions.
If you have questions, please call (304)
558-2931 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM eastern
time.
Birth Certificate Request Form
Or:
PDF format form (requires
Adobe Acrobat 3.0(+)).
Deaths $5.00
Certificates will only be issued
to the next of kin or to persons with a legal
right to the certificate. If you have questions
concerning the right to obtain a copy of a death
certificate, please contact the Vital
Registration Program at (304) 558-2931.
Death Certificate Request Form
Or:
PDF format form (requires
Adobe Acrobat 3.0(+)).
Vital Registration, Division of Health
350 Capitol St, Rm. 165
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
(304) 558-2931
Info: (304) 558-2931
Fax: (304) 343-2169 |
