Arizona Vital Records: Difference between revisions

[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.azdhs.gov/vitalrcd/birth_index.htm Arizona Department of Health Services] or the [http://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/vital-records/index.php#fees-home County Clerk's Office] of the county where the event occurred.  

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Check [http://genealogy.az.gov/ Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates] for records of births that occurred from 1855 to at least 75 years ago. Arizona is one of the few states that has online free access to birth and death records.  

Check [http://genealogy.az.gov/ Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates] for records of a death that occurred from 1844 to at least 50 years ago. Arizona is one of the few states that has online free access to birth and death records.  

Also check [http://www.vitalrec.com/ VitalRecords.com] $ for current fees and latest information to obtain copies of Arizona state records.

When searching for birth, marriage, or death records for [[African American Research|African Americans]] in Arizona, check the record types listed above. Other sources have [[African American Slavery and Bondage|historical informatio...]] for African American research.  

To locate birth, marriage, or death information on [[Indians of the United States and Their Records|Native Americans]] living in Arizona you must know which tribe the individual belonged to. [[Indians of Arizona|Indians of Arizona...]] has more specific information about Indian tribes in Arizona.  

*[http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/Search.cfm Western States Marriage Index]  

*[[Arizona Church Records|Arizona Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.

*[[Arizona Census|Arizona Census Records]] :Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.

*[[Arizona Newspapers|Arizona Newspapers]]: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information. <br>Periodicals: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information  

*[[Arizona Military Records|Arizona Military Records]] Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information. In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information:

*[[Arizona Periodicals|Arizona Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.

Statewide archives, libraries, historical and genealogical societies of Arizona have collections that can be of great value in Arizona research. Individual counties usually have historical and genealogical societies as well. Contact the Arizona Archives, Societies and Libraries listed below for specific information on availability of records and how to access their collections online, in person or through a local agent that will search the records for a fee.  

*The information given on a birth or death certificate is given by an informant. Learn the relationship of the informant to determine the accuracy of the record.

*If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments; search for a church record of christening, marriage, death or burial. A family Bible may have been used to record family births, marriages and deaths.

*'''Privacy laws may '''restrict your access to some vital records. Copies of vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.

*If the survival of a baby was in question, the birth may not have been recorded. Search for a delayed birth record if the child survived.

*Search for Vital Records in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a '''Place Search '''and then choosing '''Vital Records'''. Search for '''Arizona''' to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county '''to locate records kept by the county.