How to Find Nebraska Death Records
How to Find United States Deaths 
West Virginia Deaths
In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the death occur? |
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Deaths before 1853
Before 1853, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.
| Records that give death information: | ||
Deaths from 1853 thru 1916
In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. In 1853, Virginia law required counties to record deaths, although records are incomplete.
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.
For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen) | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen); click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1973 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1973 - use your Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free | |||
| Can't search the index listed above? | Try searching other records for death information. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
Deaths from 1917 thru 1970
The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.
STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen) | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen); click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1853-1973 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1853-1973 - use your Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free | |||
| Can't search the index listed above? | Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the index? | Tips for searching indexes | |||
| No death record for your ancestor? | Other records with death information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | 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 |
If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).
Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:
- The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
- The spouse of the person on the certificate
- The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
- The sibling of the person on the certificate
- Funeral director
- Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
- NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.
Deaths after 1970
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Death Certificates | |||
| From County of Death | 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 |
If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).
Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:
- The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
- The spouse of the person on the certificate
- The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
- The sibling of the person on the certificate
- Funeral director
- Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
- NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.