Find Virginia Vital Records Online
Are Virginia Vital Records Available to the Public?
Virginia vital records are initially closed to the public. Birth records become accessible after 100 years, while death, marriage, and divorce records become available after 25 years. Once these periods have elapsed, the records can be accessed by interested parties. These records are managed in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
What Information is Included in Virginia Vital Records?
Virginia vital records contain essential details about life events. These records include:
- Birth records
- Death certificates
- Marriage certificates and licenses
- Divorce statements
- Stillbirth documentation
How to Access Virginia Vital Records Online?
To access Virginia vital records online, the requester must provide specific information. This includes:
- The name on the record
- Date of the event
- Location of the event
- Mother's maiden name (if applicable)
- Father's name (if applicable)
- Relationship to the person on the record
Publicly available vital records can also be found on third-party sites. These sites may require additional details, such as the city, county, or state where the event occurred, and the name of someone involved. However, availability may differ from official channels.
What Do I Need to Access Virginia Vital Records?
To obtain Virginia vital records, the requester must be an immediate family member or a legal representative. The following steps are required:
- Complete an application form for the certification of a vital record.
- Submit the form to the Office of Vital Records with:
- Appropriate fees (check or money order)
- A photocopy of a state-approved photo ID
Eligible parties include parents, adult siblings, spouses, and adult children. Legal guardians or attorneys may also request records.
Certified vs. Informational Copies: Key Differences
Certified copies are long-form documents printed on security paper with an embossed seal, used for legal and identification purposes. Informational copies, or verifications, are available for non-family member requests and cannot be used for legal identification.
Are Virginia Birth Records Available to the Public?
Birth records in Virginia are not initially public. They become accessible after 100 years. Until then, only eligible individuals, such as immediate family members or legal representatives, can obtain them.
How to Access Virginia Birth Records?
To access Virginia birth records, requesters must provide:
- The registrant's name
- Date and place of birth
- Parents' names
Eligible persons can order birth certificate replacements online or by mail. For mail requests, complete the application form and send it with a check/money order and a valid ID photocopy to the Office of Vital Records.
Are Birth Certificates Public in Virginia?
Birth certificates in Virginia are not public records. They are only available to eligible individuals, including immediate family members and legal representatives, until 100 years have passed since the birth date.
Are Virginia Death Records Available to the Public?
Death records in Virginia are closed for the first 25 years. After this period, they become public and can be accessed by anyone. Before this time, only eligible individuals can obtain them.
How to Access Death Records in Virginia?
To access death records, requesters must provide:
- The deceased's name
- Date and place of death
- Relationship to the deceased
Requests can be made online or by mail. For mail requests, complete the application form and send it with a check/money order and a valid ID photocopy to the Office of Vital Records.
Are Virginia Marriage Records Available to the Public?
Marriage records in Virginia are closed for 25 years. After this period, they become public and can be accessed by anyone. Before this time, only eligible individuals can obtain them.
How to Access Marriage Records in Virginia?
To access marriage records, requesters must provide:
- Names of the married individuals
- Date and place of marriage
Requests can be made online or by mail. For mail requests, complete the application form and send it with a check/money order and a valid ID photocopy to the Office of Vital Records.
How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate in Virginia
To obtain a marriage certificate, requesters must provide:
- Names of the married individuals
- Date and place of marriage
- Valid identification
Requests can be made to the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records or the county clerk's office where the marriage occurred.
Are Virginia Divorce Records Available to the Public?
Divorce records in Virginia are closed for 25 years. After this period, they become public and can be accessed by anyone. Before this time, only eligible individuals can obtain them.
How to Get Divorce Records in Virginia?
To get divorce records, requesters must provide:
- Names of the divorced individuals
- Date and place of divorce
Requests can be made online or by mail. For mail requests, complete the application form and send it with a check/money order and a valid ID photocopy to the Office of Vital Records.
How to Obtain a Certified Divorce Certificate in Virginia
To obtain a certified divorce certificate, requesters must provide:
- Names of the divorced individuals
- Date and place of divorce
- Valid identification
Requests can be made to the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records or the county clerk's office where the divorce was granted.