Vital records consist of birth certificate records, death certificates, divorce records and marriage licenses. Search for vital records, birth records, death records, divorce records, marriage records. The Vital Records Office provides eligible applicants with copies of birth certificates, death certificates, divorce certificates and marriage certificates.
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Birth Records A birth record contains information about the birth of each personl. On a birth certificate, you can usually find the mother's full maiden name and the father's full name, the full name of the baby, the date of the birth, and county where the baby was born. Birth certificate may also include birthplaces of the baby's parents, the addresses of the parents, the number of other children that the parents have, the race of the parents and their occupations.
Death Records The death certificate provides such valuable information as first, last and middle names of the descendants, birth dates, mother's maiden name, father's last name, sex, birth place, death place, residence at time of death, death date, social security number (when available), and the age of the individual at the time they became deceased.
Divorce Records
You search results may include information about the Respondent and the Petitioner Names and Ages and Divorce Details, Date of Filing, Country and State of Filing and Filing Number.
Marriage Records Marriage record usually includes the bride's and groom's full names, the date of the marriage, and county where the marriage took place. Many marriage records include other information, including birthplaces of the bride's and groom's parents, the addresses of the bride and groom, information about previous marriages, and the names of the witnesses to the marriage.
Vital Records by State
Alabama Vital Records The Center for Health Statistics operates the vital records system and collects and tabulates health-related statistical data for the state of Alabama.The Center files, stores, and issues certified copies of vital records including birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates for events that occur in Alabama. An automated vital records system called ViSION, or Vital Statistics Image Oriented Network, allows vital records to be issued through all 67 county health departments. Customers can obtain most vital records from the Center for Health Statistics through their county health department in 30 minutes or less. Records may also be obtained through the mail in about 7-10 days.
Alaska Vital Records Information on Alaska vital records, such as birth and death records and marriage and divorce records. The Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics is responsible for managing vital records in the State of Alaska which include birth, death, fetal death, divorce and marriage certificate data, along with reports of adoption.
Under Alaska law, all Vital Statistics records are strictly confidential until they become public records. Births become public records 100 years after the event; deaths, marriages, and divorces become public records 50 years after the event.
Certified copies of vital event certificates are available by choosing a link under Certificates at the right. Please be advised that copies are available only for those events which have occurred in Alaska.
Arizona Vital Records Arizona Department of Health Services providing information about vital records: marriage, divorce, birth and death. The Office of Vital Records is responsible for maintaining and issuing certified copies of vital records, including birth, death and fetal death certificates and certificates of birth resulting in stillbirth for events that occurred in Arizona. The Office of Vital Records officially began recording birth and death events in July, 1909. However, it maintains a sampling of delayed birth records of Arizona citizens (from 1855) and death records (from 1877) from other sources.
Arkansas Vital Records Information regarding Arkansas vital records obained through Arkansas Department of Health. Under Act 1254 of 1995, the Division of Vital Records is responsible for the collection and registration of birth, death, and fetal death certificates, marriage and divorce coupons, and reports of induced termination of pregnancy and of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
Birth and death certificates serve two purposes. They are the definitive legal documents of identity and they collect important medical information about the two most important events – birth and death.
Marriage and divorce coupons are so called because they are removed from the bottom of marriage and divorce certificates, the original of which is retained in the offices of the county clerk of courts; these coupons contain limited information.
The primary purpose of fetal death certificates, and reports of induced termination of pregnancy and of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is to obtain information regarding these critically important public health concerns. Reports of induced termination of pregnancy and of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) are statistical reports to be used for medical and health purposes and are not incorporated in the permanent official records of the system of vital statistics.
California Vital Records The Office of Vital Records (OVR) is charged with the responsibility of maintaining a uniform system for registration and a permanent central registry with a comprehensive and continuous index for all California birth, California death, fetal death, California marriage and dissolution certificates registered for vital events which occur in California (1+ million events annually).
Colorado Vital Records Colorado Department of Health provides vital records such as birth, death, marriage and divorce.
Connecticut Vital Records Connecticut Department of Health provides information regarding vital records.
Delaware Vital Records Delaware Department of Health Services provides more information regarding Delaware vital records
Florida Vital Records Get information for obtaining Florida birth certificates, Florida death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates through state of Florida.
Georgia Vital Records The Georgia state vital records office maintains birth and death records filed from 1919 to the present. Marriage applications and licenses from 1952-1996 are also on file. No divorce records are on file at the state office, however, an index of divorce events from 1952 to the present is available. Some counties may have older birth, death, marriage, or divorce records in their files, but county files only contain records of vital events that occurred in that county.
Hawaii Vital Records All applications requesting certified copies of Hawaii birth, Hawaii death, Hawaii marriage, and divorce certificates must generally be made in writing (application forms may be downloaded from this site - see below). Requests may also be placed for birth and marriage certificates on a limited basis through the Internet
Idaho Vital Records The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics maintains birth and death records filed from July 1911 to the present, and marriage and divorce records filed from May 1947 to the present. Some counties may have older birth, death, marriage, or divorce records in their files, but county files contain only records of vital events that occurred in that county.
Information regarding obtaining records for events occurring in other states may be found at the National Center for Health Statistics.
Birth certificates are legally confidential in Idaho for 100 years. Death, stillbirth, marriage, and divorce certificates are legally confidential in Idaho for 50 years.
In addition, the person requesting a certified copy of a certificate must provide a photocopy of Acceptable Identification. Proof of relation may be required. Step-relatives, in-laws, great-grandparents, etc., are not immediate family as defined by Idaho statutes.
Illinois Vital Records The Illinois Department of Public Health preserves the state's records on births, deaths, marriages and divorces. More than 400,000 are registered annually. Since birth and death records first began to be collected by the Department in 1916, 27 million have been placed on file, including some delayed records dating back to the mid 1800s.
Indiana Vital Records Certified copies of Indiana birth and Indiana death certificates are available from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) or available from the local health department in the county where the event occurred. All requests require proper identification and proof of relationship to the person whose record is being requested is required. See requirements.
Birth records in the ISDH Vital Records office begin with October 1907. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth actually occurred.
Death records in the ISDH Vital Records office begin with 1900. Prior to 1900, records of death are filed only with the local health department in the county where the death actually occurred. For deaths occurring from 1900 to 1917, the city and/or county of death is required in order to locate the record.
Iowa Vital Records All Iowa vital events occurring in the state such as birth, death, and marriage, and the bureau has an interstate exchange agreement with all of the other states. The bureau registers approximately 100,000 events and issues about 85,000 certified copies annually.
In Iowa, official registration of Iowa births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Kansas Vital Records The Office of Vital Statistics receives and preserves vital records for events (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) which occur in Kansas. The Office maintains more than 10 million vital records, adding approximately 100,000 new records annually. Over 360,000 certified copies of these records are issued to eligible requestors annually. The records maintained by this office are necessary for individuals to carry out day-to-day business such as obtaining passports, enrolling in schools, sports participation, starting new jobs, qualifying for subsidized housing, collecting life insurance benefits, and transferring property. Eligibility: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records (vital records) in Kansas are not public records. Certified copies of vital records are released to the person named on the record, immediate family, a legal representative, or anyone who can prove a direct interest, such as a named beneficiary or someone who jointly owns property with the person whose record is requested. The record must be necessary for the determination of personal or property rights. Proof of legal representation, direct interest, or written authorization is required if the requestor is not named on the record or an immediate family member.
Kentucky Vital Records Kentucky's Vital Statistics Law, enacted by the General Assembly in 1910, provides for and legalizes the registration of births and deaths.
The Office of Vital Statistics does not have records of births or deaths prior to 1911, except delayed records of births for those born before 1911 which have been established by affidavits and documentary evidence.
Central registration of marriages and divorces began in Kentucky in June 1958. The Office of Vital Statistics does not have records of marriages or divorces prior to 1958. To inquire about marriage certificates prior to June 1958, please call the county clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued. To inquire about divorce certificates prior to June 1958, please call the circuit county clerk that granted the divorce decree.
Louisiana Vital Records Under Louisiana law, birth records are strictly confidential until 100 years after the year of birth. Currently, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains birth records from 1907 to the present. Birth records older than 100 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives.
Death Records
Contents of this area:
Death Records
How To Order Death Records
Identification Requirements
Locations
Amendments To Death Records
The Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains death records ONLY for deaths that occurred in Louisiana. If you need a certified copy of a death certificate from another state, you must contact that state's vital records office.
Under Louisiana law, death records are strictly confidential until 50 years after the year of death. Currently, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains death records from 1957 to the present. Death records older than 50 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives. Under Louisiana law, the Louisiana Vital Records Registry maintains Orleans Parish marriage records from 1957 to the present. Orleans Parish marriage records older than 50 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives.
The Louisiana Vital Records Registry can not issue a certified copy of a divorce decree. You must obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was granted.
Maine Vital Records Main Vital Records from 1892-1922:
Birth, death and marriage records from 1892-1922 are available in the Maine State Archives research room or can be ordered by mail from the Archives.
Records from 1922-1955:
Microfilm copies of birth, marriage, and death records from 1922-1955 are available for viewing by patrons in the State Archives research room.
Records from 1923 - Present:
Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage records from 1923 to the present are available from the Office of Vital Records. Divorce records from 1892 through the present may be obtained from the Office of Vital Records.
Maryland Vital Records The Maryland State Archives maintains many records that are invaluable for biographical and genealogical research. These include birth records, adoption records, marriage records, divorce records, and death records, and some indices to these records. It is important to note that access to some of these records is restricted by law to protect the rights of the individuals named in the documents. Birth certificates from 1925 to the present are only available from the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The State Archives can provide certified copies of restricted birth certificates (where available) before the year 1925 for legal purposes only with proper identification or legal authority. There are no restrictions on ordering birth records over 100 years old. The Archives is custodian of Maryland death records for Maryland's 23 counties from 1898-1998, and for Baltimore City from 1875-1998.
Massachusetts Vital Records The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Massachusetts from 1916 to the present.
The Registry also maintains an index of divorces from 1952 to the present. Copies of the divorce records are available from the probate court where the divorce was obtained.
Michigan Vital Records The State of Michigan vital records office has records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred in Michigan and were filed with the state as early as 1867, and divorce records as early as 1897. You can order a record online using a debit or credit card, print an application to order by mail or to change a record
Minnesota Vital Records Since MDH no longer handles in-person requests, you must go to a local registrar office to obtain a birth or death certificate or non-certified copy of a birth or death record in person. It is no longer necessary to go to the registrar's office of the county where the birth or death took place. You may go to a registrar's office in any county in Minnesota for births that took place during or after 1900 and for deaths that took place during or after 1997.
For deaths that took place before 1997, order by mail or fax from MDH or go to the local registrar office in the county where the death took place.
For births that took place before 1900, go to the local registrar office in the county where the birth took place.
If you go to a local registrar office to request the certificate, you will be asked to complete and sign an application stating that you have tangible interest in the certificate. You will be asked to show identification.
If you do not have identification, according to Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600, subpart 6, you may have a witness attest to your identity.
Non-certified copies of birth and death records do not require demonstration of tangible interest.
Mississippi Vital Records The Vital Records office is located in the Underwood Building, 571 Stadium Drive, just off North State Street near Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson, Mississippi. The Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Public counter closes at 4:30 p.m.
Missouri Vital Records Missouri birth, death, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records.
Services include:
* Maintaining a central registry of Missouri births, deaths and fetal deaths reported from January 1, 1910 to the present (some delayed filings from births and deaths prior to 1910 are available)
* Preparing new certificates for adoptions and legitimations
* Maintaining a central registry of Missouri marriages and divorces (since July 1, 1948)
* Correcting vital records as authorized by state law
* Issuing certified copies of vital records
* Maintaining the Putative Father Registry
Montana Vital Records Montana Dpartment of Health provides information for Montana vital records such as Montana birth records, Montana Death Certificates, Montana Marriage and Divorce Records.
Nevada Vital Records This Office is the legal custodian of birth and death certificates filed in the state of Nevada from July 1, 1911 to the present. For events prior to 1911, records are usually held in the county Recorder's office where the event occurred. A list of the county Recorder's offices can be found on our application for a marriage or divorce record. Birth and death records are confidential in the State of Nevada and may only be released to a qualified applicant. A qualified applicant is defined as the registrant, or a direct family member by blood or marriage, his or her guardian, or his or her legal representative.
New Hampshire Vital Records The Division of Vital Records Administration has released new, web-based software that anyone can use to look at Vital Records statistical information ONLY (derived from records of birth, death, marriage and divorce). The "New Hampshire Vital Records Information Network web" (NHVRINweb), is a real-time web-based data query system for accessing Vital Records statistical data. This web-based tool allows access to de-identified Vital Records that date back to 1995. You can also produce data reports in either a spreadsheet format or as a document, so that you can include this data in your own reports if desired.
New Jersey Vital Records The State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration registers vital events and maintains the following vital records:
* Birth, marriage and death records back to 1901
* Domestic partnership records back to 2004
* Civil union records back to 2007
* Adoptions – foreign and domestic
* Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth data back to 1969
Vital Records are also available from Local Vital Records Offices in the municipality where the event occurred.
For information about vital records from May 1848 – 1900 visit the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Archives and Records Management web page. The Archives also holds microfilm copies of births from 1901-1923, marriages from 1901-1940 and deaths from 1901-1940. These materials are available for in-person use only.
New Mexico Vital Records In 1919, Vital Records and Health Statistics was created to register births and deaths that occurred in New Mexico.
Prior to this time, birth and death records were collected by a variety of institutions which were not health-related, including counties and churches. For the most part these statistics are not currently available from Vital Records and Health Statistics.
Today, Vital Records receives its data from hospitals, midwives, funeral directors, physicians, the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), tribal authorities and other sources. New Mexico data is shared with the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in order to assess the health of the United States.
New York Vital Records The Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health files certificates for births and deaths that occur in New York State outside of New York City and for marriage licenses issued in New York State outside of New York City. Also on file are divorce records for all of New York State since 1963. The Vital Records Section provides qualified applicants with certified copies of the certificates associated with these events. Uncertified copies of older certificates are available for genealogy research.
Birth and Death records are also available from the Local Registrar of the municipality where the event occurred. Marriage records are available from the Town or City Clerk of the municipality where the Marriage License was issued. For further information about these services, please contact the appropriate office of the municipality involved. Telephone numbers are available from the local phone directory or telephone information.
Ohio Vital Records Local Vital Statistics Office - You can obtain birth and death records from the city or county health department office where the event occurred, provided there is no court or legal action. Fees and operating hours vary. This service option may be faster, due to the higher volume processed in the state office. Please check the listing of local offices to see if you can obtain your record from the county.
Tennessee Vital Records The Tennessee Office of Vital Records registers and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages and divorces that occur in Tennessee. Certified copies of the original records are available to the person named on the record and to certain family members or legal representatives.
Vital Records requires identification for all requests for birth and death records. A photocopy of a government issued form of identification, which includes the requestor's signature, must accompany all requests.
Texas Vital Records Birth certificates for births within the past 75 years are considered protected records, and Texas.gov has the following requirements for requesting these records:
* If you reside in Texas, you can order your own record or the records of your immediate family members. If you live outside of Texas, you can order your own record or the record of your child, if you are listed as a parent on the record.
* You must have a valid state-issued driver's license or government-issued ID card.
* You must be ordering a record that is to be delivered within the United States, to U.S. territories or U.S. commonwealths, or to U.S. military addresses (APO, FPO).
* You must have a valid credit card.
Utah Vital Records Certificates for Utah births that occurred in Utah since 1905 are on file in this office.
Vermont Vital Records Statewide vital registration in Vermont began in 1857, when the General Assembly passed legislation requiring towns to report all births, marriages, and deaths to the Secretary of State. Prior to that time, some towns kept such records in order to resolve questions concerning the distribution and inheritance of property.
Vital records - particularly death records - became recognized as an important tool for studying the location and spread of epidemics. In 1896, the Legislature transferred responsibility for the vital statistics system to the newly formed Board of Health, the forerunner of the Vermont Department of Health. The Health Department has retained responsibility for vital statistics to the present day.
Since 2000, the Vermont vital records system includes nine types of vital events: births, deaths, marriages, divorces, civil unions, dissolutions, reciprocal beneficiaries, fetal deaths, and abortions.
Vital records for events that occurred within the past five years are maintained by the Department of Health. All others are with the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration
Virginia Vital Records Virginia Birth records are public information 100 years after the date of the event; death, marriage, and divorce records, 50 years after the event. Virginia Vital Records are available to immediate family members only- mother, father, husband, wife, child, brother, sister and grandparents with valid ID. Virginia Birth records can be issued to the legal guardian with proof of custody papers. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, etc. cannot obtain a Virginia Vital Record.
Washington Vital Records Washington Department of Health Services provides more information regarding Washington vital records
West Virginia Vital Records West Virginia Department of Health provides vital records such as Birth and Death records.
Wisconsin Vital Records Wisconsin Vital Records Services
The Wisconsin Vital Records Office is responsible for filing, preserving, protecting, changing, and issuing copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, and records of declaration of domestic partnership and termination of domestic partnership for events that occur in Wisconsin. This Web site provides information on obtaining copies of vital records, searching our records in person, and other available services.
Wyoming Vital Records Wyoming Department of Health is only able to issue certified copies of certificates for events that occurred in the state of Wyoming.
What is Vital Records?
Birth Certificates, Death Records, Marriage Certificates in United States
Vital records usually contain the full name of the individual involved in the event, the date of the event, and the county, state, or town where the event took place. ital records usually contain the full name of the individual involved in the event, the date of the event, and the county, state, or town where the event took place.
Public Record Site provides you with Free Vital Records Links