How to Find West Virginia Birth Records
In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. Statewide registration of births began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.
- West Virginia State-wide, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records are online at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Archives and History. Beginning 1853.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Births before 1853[edit | edit source]
West Virginia did not exist at this time and was known as the state of Virginia. Before 1853, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births from 1853 thru 1912[edit | edit source]
- 1853 - Virginia law required counties to record births
- West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia in 1863
- From 1853-1879, 15% of the births were recorded
- From 1880-1920, 65% of the births were recorded
- 1917 - West Virginia Statewide birth registration began
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.
For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.
| West Virginia Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; most counties go to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
Births from 1913 thru 1930[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Department of Health office.
| West Virginia Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; most counties go to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1930 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of database county coverage (right side of the screen) on WV website; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Ancestry database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1969 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1969 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't access Ancestry? | Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From WV Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births from 1931 thru 1969[edit | edit source]
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Vital Registration office.
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]
| Ancestry Database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1969 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1969 - use your Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't access Ancestry? | Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From WV Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births after 1969[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From WV Dept. of Health State office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records[edit | edit source]
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born in West Virginia the following restrictions may apply. State law restricts who may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. A certified copy may be issued to:
- The person named on the record
- The current spouse of the person named on the record
- The current domestic partner of the person named on the record
- A parent of the person named on the record
- A sibling of the person named on the record
- A child of the person named on the record
- A grandparent of the person named on the record
- A person authorized in writing by one of the above. The written authorization must accompany the request and the relationship of the authorizing party to the subject of the record must be clearly explained.
- A person who can demonstrate that the record is required to protect a personal or property right.
- If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you cannot receive a certified copy of a birth certificate.
- An uncertified copy of a birth certificate is available to anyone who applies. An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but will not be acceptable for legal purposes, such as obtaining identification.
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
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