West Virginia Public Records /Find West Virginia Vital Records Online

Find West Virginia Vital Records Online

Are West Virginia Vital Records Available to the Public?

West Virginia is a "closed records" state. Vital records become publicly accessible after specific periods: 100 years for birth records and 50 years for death, marriage, and divorce records. Until these periods expire, only individuals named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives can access certified copies.

What Information is Included in West Virginia Vital Records?

Vital records in West Virginia document significant life events, including:

Births
Deaths
Marriages
Divorces

These records are maintained by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, specifically the Vital Registration Office.

How to Access West Virginia Vital Records Online?

To access West Virginia Vital Records online, requesters must provide specific details to facilitate the search. This information generally includes:

Names of the individuals on the record
Date of the life event
Location of the life event

Requests can be made through various online platforms. However, access is limited to eligible individuals, such as those named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. Proper identification and a processing fee are typically required to complete the request.

What Do I Need to Access West Virginia Vital Records?

To obtain West Virginia vital records, requesters must provide sufficient information for a record search. This includes:

Full names of the individuals involved
Date and place of the event
Purpose of the request

Requesters must also complete a certificate request form and submit it along with:

An acceptable form of identification
A processing fee

Requests can be submitted to the Vital Registration Office of the Department of Health and Human Resources either online, by mail, or in person.

Certified vs. Informational Copies: Key Differences

A certified copy of a West Virginia vital record is issued by the Department of Health and Human Resources or a court and is valid for identification and legal purposes. An informational copy, on the other hand, provides the same data but is not valid for legal or identification purposes.

Are West Virginia Birth Records Available to the Public?

Birth records in West Virginia become public information after 100 years. Until then, only the individuals named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives may access certified birth records.

How to Access West Virginia Birth Records?

To access West Virginia birth records, requesters must provide:

Full name of the individual on the record
Date and place of birth
Relationship to the person named on the record

Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. A completed application form, a fee, and acceptable identification are required. Mail requests should be sent to the Vital Registration Office, Department of Health & Human Resources, Room 165, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301-3701.

Are Birth Certificates Public in West Virginia?

Birth certificates in West Virginia are not public records. Access is restricted to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives.

Are West Virginia Death Records Available to the Public?

Death records in West Virginia become public after 50 years. Until this period expires, only immediate family members and authorized legal representatives can access them.

How to Access Death Records in West Virginia?

To access West Virginia death records, requesters must provide:

Full name of the deceased
Date and place of death
Relationship to the deceased

Are West Virginia Marriage Records Available to the Public?

Marriage records in West Virginia become public information after 50 years. Until then, only the individuals named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives can access them.

How to Access Marriage Records in West Virginia?

To access West Virginia marriage records, requesters must provide:

Full names of the individuals on the record
Date and place of the marriage
Relationship to the individuals on the record

How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate in West Virginia

To obtain a marriage certificate in West Virginia, requesters must provide:

Full names of the individuals on the record
Date and place of the marriage
Relationship to the individuals on the record

Are West Virginia Divorce Records Available to the Public?

Divorce records in West Virginia become public after 50 years. Until this period expires, only the individuals named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives can access them.

How to Get Divorce Records in West Virginia?

To obtain West Virginia divorce records, requesters must provide:

Full names of the individuals on the record
Date and place of the divorce
Relationship to the individuals on the record

Requests can be made through the Clerk of the Circuit Court where the divorce occurred. A completed application form, a fee, and acceptable identification are required.

How to Obtain a Certified Divorce Certificate in West Virginia

To obtain a certified divorce certificate in West Virginia, requesters must provide:

Full names of the individuals on the record
Date and place of the divorce
Relationship to the individuals on the record

Requests can be made through the Clerk of the Circuit Court where the divorce occurred. A completed application form, a fee, and acceptable identification are required.

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