U.S. Vital Records Overview: Difference between revisions

This article is designed to provide a basic understanding of U.S. vital records, including the various types of records, the civil jurisdictions that have responsibilities for the records, and the regional differences in the availability of those records.  

Civil governments have created records of births, marriages, and deaths. Records containing this information are commonly called “vital records,” because they refer to critical events in a person’s life. These are the most important documents for genealogical research, but the births, marriages, and deaths of many people have never been recorded by civil authorities. ''Normally'' a vital record is recorded at or near the time of the event.  

The practice of recording civil vital statistics developed slowly in the United States. Early vital information was sometimes recorded in brief entries in register books until the twentieth century, when it became more common to create certificates. Some town clerks in colonial America (especially New England) recorded vital information, but these records are incomplete. The federal government has not registered vital records, except for some Americans born outside the country who were recorded in embassy or consulate records.  

Each state eventually developed its own laws and created a statewide registration system. Unfortunately until the early 1900s, these records do not exist in most states. Local offices did not always comply immediately with the registration laws. But usually within 20 years after registration laws were enacted, most states were recording at least 90 percent of the births and deaths.  

'''''New England.''''' These states have kept good vital records. The town clerks kept register books as early as the 1600s. Most of these states have statewide indexes of the existing records. Most New England states began statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths between 1841 and 1897. Vermont began centralized registration in 1919, but individual town records go back to the 1700s. Except for New Hampshire (which began recording marriages as early as 1640), many New England marriages in colonial times were not recorded because of the laws and religious customs of the region.  

'''''West.''''' The western states vary greatly in their registration of vital records due to their different settlement patterns. Most area began statewide registration of births and deaths between 1903 and 1920. While most counties were keeping marriage records by 1890, or the date the county was created, statewide registration generally began between 1905 and 1978. Hawaii’s records of births, marriages, and deaths start as early as the 1840s.  

Birth records generally give the child’s name, sex, date and place of birth, and the names of the parents. Records of the twentieth century provide additional details such as the name of the hospital, birthplace of parents, occupation of the parents, marital status of the mother, and the number of other children born to the mother.  

If no record was filed at the time of an individual’s birth, he may have arranged for a ''delayed registration of birth'' by showing proof of his birth as recorded in a Bible, school, census, or church record, or by testimony from a person who witnessed the birth. These registrations generally start in 1937, yet the birth may have occurred many years earlier. The registration is usually in the state where the birth occurred. The Family History Library has acquired copies of many delayed certificates, especially for the Midwestern states.  

Marriages were usually recorded by the clerk of the town or county where the bonds or licenses were issued (generally where the bride resided). You may find records that show a couple’s intent to marry and records of the actual marriage.  

Various records may have been created that show a couple’s intent to marry.  

'''''Applications and licenses''''' are the most common types of records showing intent to marry. These gradually replaced the use of banns, intentions, and bonds. A bride and groom obtained a ''license'' to be married by applying to the proper civil authorities, usually a town or county clerk. These records have the most information of genealogical value, including the couple’s names, ages, and residence. Later records also provide their race, birth dates, occupations, and usually the names of the parents. The license was presented to the person who performed the marriage and was later returned to the town or county clerk. ''Applications'' for a license are primarily a twentieth century record. These often contain more detailed information than the license.  

In most cases it can be assumed that the couple married a short time after announcing their intent, even though you may not find proof of the actual marriage. A minister, justice of the peace, military officer, a ship captain, or state official could legally marry a couple. You may find the following records that document the actual marriage.  

Twentieth-century marriages are still registered by the county or town, but most states now require the counties to report the marriage to the state office of vital records. Many counties keep duplicates of the records they send to the state.  

Death records are especially helpful because they may provide important information on a person’s birth, spouse, and parents. Some researchers look first for death records because there are often death records for persons who have no birth or marriage records.  

Death certificates may be filed in the state where an individual died and the state where he is buried.  

The Family History Library has copies of many vital records, primarily before 1950. However, if a record was never kept, was not available in the courthouse at the time of microfilming, was not microfilmed, or is restricted from public access by the laws of the state, the Family History Library ''does not have a copy''. You may use the records at the library for your family research, but the library does not issue or certify certificates for living or deceased individuals.  

:[STATE], [COUNTY], [TOWN] – VITAL RECORDS

Birth, marriage, and death records may be obtained by contacting or visiting state offices of vital records or the appropriate clerk’s office in a town or county courthouse. Genealogical societies, historical societies, and site archives may also have copies or transcripts. To protect the rights of privacy of living persons, most modern records have restrictions on their use and access.  

A companion site for death records is entitled: ''Online Searchable Death Indexes for the USA''. It includes obituaries, cemeteries, and the Social Security Death Index. The website address is: [http://www.deathindexes.com/ http://www.deathindexes.com/].  

''Ancestry.com'' is a subscription website that contains hundreds of vital record databases, mostly indexes that can lead you to obtaining a copy of the actual record. Their website is: [http://www.ancestry.com www.ancestry.com].