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      the most comprehensive resource for locating vital records on the internet

      West Virginia Birth Certificates, Death Records, Marriage Licenses and more

    • West Virginia Vital Records Office
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    • Find vital records online
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    • How to obtain copies of West Virginia vital records, such as West Virginia birth certificates, West Virginia death records, West Virginia marriage licenses & West Virginia divorce decrees. See the guidelines for general information on how to order vital records. Check the related links for additional vital records and genealogical information on West Virginia.

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      Please Note: The information contained on these pages is not guaranteed, as addresses and prices change frequently. It is recommended that you confirm the price and address by calling the vital records office before you place your order. This web site is not associated with any government office.

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      West Virginia State Vital Records Office Information

        Vital Registration, Division of Health
        350 Capitol St, Rm 165
        Charleston, WV 25301-3701
        (304) 558-2931
        Info: (304) 558-2931
        Fax: (304) 558-1051

        Birth and death records are only available to immediate family members. Make check or money order payable to Vital Registration. Be advised, there was a fire in 1921 that destroyed many records, , however, most counties have records from 1853. Some counties also have marriage records from 1870.

      • West Virginia Genealogy and Family History Resources
        search record collections, history and genealogy resources for West Virginia
      • Search the Social Security Death Index
      • Search for West Virginia birth, death and marriage records online

        Record Cost Dates Ordering
        Birth$12.00since Jan 1917Order OnlineMail Order
        West Virginia is not an "open record" state. Access to certified copies of birth certificates is restricted.
        For earlier records, write to the Clerk of County Court in the county where the birth occurred. Fees vary.

        Death$12.00since Jan 1917Order OnlineMail Order
        Certificates will only be issued to a direct relative or to persons with a legal right to the certificate.
      • Click here to search the Social Security Death Index

      • Marriage$12.00since 1921
        Records should be available from the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued.

        Marriage$12.00since 1964Mail Order
        from Vital Registration, Division of Health

        Divorcesince 1968
        Certified copies are not available from the State office.

        Census1790 through 1940Search U.S. Federal Census Records Online

        *** The mail order form can be downloaded and viewed by using Adobe Acrobat Software


      Index to West Virginia County Vital Records Offices

        Most counties have records from 1853. Some counties also have marriage records from 1870. Divorce records are kept by the county clerk of the circuit court. Probate records have been kept by the county courts and are found in deed books and court order books. Naturalization proceedings were recorded in the minutes and dockets of the courts until 1906, since any court could naturalize immigrants. After 1929, only federal courts handled naturalizations.

        Follow this link to determine what county a city or town is in.

          Barbour .   Berkeley .   Boone .   Braxton .   Brooke .   Cabell .   Calhoun .   Clay .   Doddridge .   Fayette .   Gilmer .   Grant .   Greenbrier .   Hampshire .   Hancock .   Hardy .   Harrison .   Jackson .   Jefferson .   Kanawha .   Lewis .   Lincoln .   Logan .   Marion .   Marshall .   Mason .   McDowell .   Mercer .   Mineral .   Mingo .   Monongalia .   Monroe .   Morgan .   Nicholas .   Ohio .   Pendleton .   Pleasants .   Pocahontas .   Preston .   Putnam .   Raleigh .   Randolph .   Ritchie .   Roane .   Summers .   Taylor .   Tucker .   Tyler .   Upshur .   Wayne .   Webster .   Wetzel .   Wirt .   Wood .   Wyoming .  



      The Utilization of West Virginia Vital Records for Genealogy Projects and Family Trees

        The growing number of family trees and genograms that are popping up these days is an indication of its popularity. The internet has proven to be a component in this pastime gaining ground among enthusiasts. You should be feeling pride as you attempt to keep your heritage alive with this project. It can be fun to even draft others in your fold to help you in your mission. The act of archiving your personal history can be a rewarding assignment, not a boring one. The preservation of your family culture can be a source for future family members to cherish.

        Family Trees Need Proper Seeding at the Start

        Amateur or professional, the genealogist of all levels starts with a very basic knowledge of his family. At the very beginning, this researcher can jot down on the fresh family tree the names of the family he shares a house with. Without looking at any notes, can you name the members of your family? If you cannot do this task, then you may need some assistance that a genealogy expert cannot give to you. The West Virginia vital records can indeed help the willing genealogy fan. If you have established that you know the members of your family who live with you, and you are ready to take some further steps in research, then you may be ready to look at the West Virginia vital records.

        Some people who want to make a family tree know very little about ancestral research. They must keep in mind that family trees have a different look with each family. A genogram is a kind of family tree that not only shows names and dates, but it also emphasizes hereditary traits within the family. Relationships based on medical factors can be focused on with this type of family tree.

        Family Trees Will Bloom with Detailed Research

        The design and creation of your family tree must have lots of evidence to be called authentic. You must think about perusing the West Virginia vital records for this proof that you so desperately need. The relevant data that will highlight your genealogical project is found here, and it is relatively simple to maneuver. Please memorize the names that you call your household members. After this material is engraved in your brain, seek out the birth certificates and death records of ancestors through the West Virginia vital records.

        Your venture into genealogical studies may be a tedious one at times. The temptation to feel exasperated may be great; however, you are not at a dead end. These valuable documents are available in a central locale. They are also there for the public to view, thanks to the Mountain State. Did you know that investigating your ancestors’ birth and death dates could be as simple as this? You never know: you could have found a lifelong passion in genealogy, and you may be able to help other prospective ancestral archivists on their journeys.


      Searchable Databases and other Helpful Links

      • West Virginia USGenWeb Project
        genealogical gateway to the state and counties
      • Search West Virginia Databases Online
        Search for birth, marriage, census, death, immigration, naturalization, military records and more at Ancestry
      • Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet - West Virginia
        your genealogy starting point online
      • Search WV Birth, Death, and Marriage certificates on-line
        from the West Virginia Division of Culture & History
      • Alleghany Regional Family History Society
      • West Virginia Cemetery Readings, 1941
        each entry provides the decedent's name, birth date, death date, living relative, and survey date
      • Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants
        dedicated to the history and genealogy of West Virginia concentrating on central West Virginia.
      • Archives.com - Search West Virginia Death Records
      • Archives.com - Search West Virginia Birth Records
      • USGenWeb - West Virginia Marriage Project
        Marriage Applications and other Marriage Records
      • West Virginia Genealogy and Family History Resources
        search record collections, history and genealogy resources for West Virginia
      • Search the Social Security Death Index
      • Search for West Virginia birth, death and marriage records online

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