WHERE TO WRITE FOR VITAL RECORDS

(UPDATED 08-14-00)

National Center for Health Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jack R. Anderson., Deputy Director

Jack R. Anderson, Acting Associate Director for International

Statistics

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Lester R. Curtin, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Research and Methodology 

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Analysis and Epidemiology, and Health Promotion 

P. Douglas Williams, Acting Associate Director for Data

Standards, Program Planning, and Extramural Programs 

Edward L. Hunter, Associate Director for Planning, Budget,

and Legislation

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Vital and Health Statistics Systems

Douglas L. Zinn, Acting Associate Director for Management

Charles J. Rothwell, Associate Director for Data Processing

and Services

Division of Vital Statistics

Mary Anne Freedman, Director 

James A. Weed, Ph.D., Deputy Director 

Vacant, Special Assistant for Registration Methods 

Division of Data Services

Phillip R. Beattie, Director 

Vacant, Deputy Director 

Linda Beam, Acting Chief, Data Dissemination Branch 

Richard L. Welch, Chief, Publications Branch 
1

Introduction

As part of its mission to provide access to data and

information relating to the health of the Nation, the National

Center for Health Statistics produces a number of publications

containing reference and statistical materials. The purpose of this

publication is solely to provide information about individual

vital records maintained only on file in State or local vital

statistics offices. 

An official certificate of every birth, death, marriage, and

divorce should be on file in the locality where the event

occurred. The Federal Government does not maintain files or

indexes of these records. These records are filed permanently

either in a State vital statistics office or in a city, county, or other

local office.

To obtain a certified copy of any of the certificates, write

or go to the vital statistics office in the State or area where the

event occurred. Addresses and fees are given for each event in

the State or area concerned.

To ensure that you receive an accurate record for your

request and that your request is filled expeditiously, please

follow the steps outlined below for the information in which you

are interested:

! Write to the appropriate office to have your request filled.

! Under the appropriate office, information has been

included for birth and death records concerning whether

the State will accept checks or money orders and to whom

they should be made payable. This same information would

apply when marriage and divorce records are available

from the State office. However, it is impossible for us to

list fees and addresses for all county offices where

marriage and divorce records may be obtained.

! For all certified copies requested, make check or money

order payable for the correct amount for the number of

copies you want to obtain. Cash is not recommended

because the office cannot refund cash lost in transit.

! Because all fees are subject to change, a telephone

number has been included in the information for

each State for use in verifying the current fee. 

! Some States have provided their home page address

for obtaining current information.

! Type or print all names and addresses in the letter.

! Give the following facts when writing for birth or

death records:

1. Full name of person whose record is being

requested.

2. Sex.

3. Parents' names, including maiden name of

mother.

4. Month, day, and year of birth or death.

5. Place of birth or death (city or town, county,

and State; and name of hospital, if known).

6. Purpose for which copy is needed.

7. Relationship to person whose record is being

requested.

! Give the following facts when writing for marriage

records:

1. Full names of bride and groom.

2. Month, day, and year of marriage.

3. Place of marriage (city or town, county, and

State).

4. Purpose for which copy is needed.

5. Relationship to persons whose record is being

requested.

! Give the following facts when writing for divorce

records:

1. Full names of husband and wife.

2. Date of divorce or annulment.

3. Place of divorce or annulment.

4. Type of final decree.

5. Purpose for which copy is needed.

6. Relationship to persons whose record is being

requested.
2

Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

Alabama

Birth or Death $12.00 Center for Health Statistics

State Department of Public

 Health

P.O. Box 5625

Montgomery, AL 36103-5625

State office has had records since January 1908.

Additional copies at same time are $4.00 each.

Fee for special searches is $10.00 per hour. 

Check or money order should be made payable to

Center for Health Statistics. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (334) 206-5418. This will be a

recorded message. Information on how to obtain

certificed copies is also available via the internet

at http://www.alapubhealth.org.

Marriage $12.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has records since August 1936.

Varies See remarks Contact Probate Court in county where license

was issued.

Divorce $12.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has records since January 1950.

Varies See remarks Contact Clerk of Circuit Court in county where

divorce was granted.

Alaska

Birth or Death $10.00 Department of Health and

Social

 Services

Bureau of Vital Statistics

P.O. Box 110675

Juneau, AK 99811-0675

State office has had records since January 1913.

Money order should be made payable to Bureau

of Vital Statistics. Personal checks are not

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (907) 465-3391. This will be a

recorded message.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since 1913.

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since 1950.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court in judicial district where

divorce was granted. Juneau and Ketchikan (First

District), Nome (Second District), Anchorage

(Third District), Fairbanks (Fourth District).

American Samoa

Birth or Death $2.00 Registrar of Vital Statistics

Vital Statistics Section

Government of American

Samoa

Pago Pago, AS 96799

Registrar has had records since 1900. Money

order should be made payable to ASG Treasurer.

Personal checks are not accepted. To verify

current fees, the telephone number is (684) 633-

1222,

 ext. 214.

Personal identification required before record will

be sent.

Marriage $2.00 Same as Birth or Death
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

3

Divorce $1.00 High Court of American Samoa

Tutuila, AS 96799
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

4

Arizona

Birth (long form)

Birth (short form)

Death

$9.00 

$6.00

$6.00

Vital Records Section

Arizona Department of

 Health Services

P.O. Box 3887

Phoenix, AZ 85030

State office has had records since July 1909 and

abstracts of records filed in counties before then.

Birth certificate prior to 1950 $9.00 and 1950 to

the present $6.00 (certified computer copies).

Check or money order should be made payable to

Office of Vital Records. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (602) 255-3260. This will be a

recorded message.

Applicants must submit a copy of picture

identification or have their request notarized.

Marriage Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court in county where license

was issued.

Divorce Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Arkansas

Birth 

Death 

$5.00

$4.00 

Division of Vital Records

Arkansas Department of Health

4815 West Markham Street

Little Rock, AR 72201 

State office has had records since February 1914

and some original Little Rock and Fort Smith

records from 1881. Additional copies of death

record, when requested at the same time, are

$1.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Arkansas Department of Health. Personal

checks are accepted. To verify current fees, the

telephone number is (501) 661-2336. This will be

a recorded message.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Coupons since 1917.

Varies See remarks Full certified copy may be obtained from County

Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Coupons since 1923.

Varies See remarks Full certified copy may be obtained from Circuit

or Chancery Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

5

California

Birth 

Death 

$12.00

$8.00 

Office of Vital Records

Department of Health Services

P.O. Box 730241

Sacramento, CA 94244-0241 

State office has had records since July 1905. For

earlier records, write to County Recorder in

county where event occurred.

Check or money order should be made payable to

State Registrar, Department of Health Services

or Office of Vital Records. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (916) 445-2684.

Marriage $12.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since July 1905. For

earlier records, write to County Recorder in

county where event occurred.

Divorce $12.00 Same as Birth or Death Fee is for search and identification of county

where certified copy can be obtained (years 1962

thru 1984 only). For all other years or for a copy

of the decree, write to County Clerk in County

where event occured. Certified copies of decrees

are not available from State Health Department.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Canal Zone

(Effective

December 1,

1999)

Birth or Death $20.00 Correspondence Branch

Passport Services

U.S. Department of State

1111 19th Street NW, Suite 510

Washington, DC 20522-1705

Records available from May 1904 to September

1979. Additional copies of the same record

requested at the same time are $10.00 each.

Check or money order must be signed, dated and

made payable to U.S. Department of State. 

Remittance must be payable in U.S. dollars

through a U.S. Bank. No credit cards or cash

accepted. Telephone or facsimile requests are not

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (202) 955-0307.

Marriage $20.00 Same as Birth or Death Records available from May 1904 to September

1979.

Colorado
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

6

Birth or Death $15.00 Vital Records Section

Colorado Department of Public 

 Health and Environment

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South

HSVRD-VS-A1

Denver, CO 80246-1530 

State office has had death records since 1900 and

birth records since 1910. State office also has

birth records for some counties for years before

1910. Additional copies of the same record

ordered at the same time are $6.00. Pocket size

birth cards are available for birth years 1960 to

present and contain name, sex, date, place of

birth, state file number, date filed, and date issued.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Colorado Department of Public Health and

Environment. Personal checks are accepted. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is (303)

756-4464. This will be a recorded message. 

Information on how to obtain certified copies is

also available via the Internet at

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/cshom.html.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

7

Marriage See remarks Same as Birth or Death Certified copies are not available from State

Health Department. Statewide index of records

for 1900–39 and 1975 to present. Fee for

verification is $12.00.

Varies See remarks Copies available from County Clerk in county

where license was issued.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Certified copies are not available from State

Health Department. Statewide index of records

for 1900–39 and 1968 to 1995. Fee for

verification is $12.00.

Varies See remarks Copies available from Clerk of District Court in

county where divorce was granted.

Connecticut

Birth or Death $5.00 See remarks Certified copies are not available from State

Office. Request must be submitted to town where

event occurred.

PLEASE NOTE: A photocopy of picture

identification must be submitted with any request

for a birth certificate..

Check or money order should be made payable to

town where the event occurred.

 Marriage $5.00 See remarks Same as above

Divorce See remarks Applicant must contact Clerk of Superior Court

where divorce was granted. State office does not

have divorce decrees and cannot issue certified

copies.

Delaware

Birth or Death $6.00 Office of Vital Statistics

Division of Public Health

P.O. Box 637

Dover, DE 19903 

State office has death records since 1958 and birth

records since 1926. Additional copies of the same

record requested at the same time are $4.00 each.

For previous years, write to Archives Hall of

Records, Dover, DE (302) 739-5318. 

Check or money order should be made payable to

Office of Vital Statistics. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (302) 739-4721.

Marriage $6.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1958. Additional copies of the

same record requested at the same time are $4.00

each.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

8

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Records since 1935. Inquiries will be forwarded

to appropriate office. Fee for search and

verification of essential facts of divorce is $6.00

for each 5-year period searched. Certified copies

are not available from State office.

$2.00 See remarks Prothonotary in county where divorce was granted

up to 1975. For divorces granted after 1975 the

parties concerned should contact Family Court in

county where divorce was granted.

District of Columbia

Birth or Death $12.00 Vital Records Branch

825 North Capitol Street NE

Washington, DC 20002

Office has had death records since 1855 and birth

records since 1874 but no death records were filed

during the Civil War.

Cashiers check or money order should be made

payable to DC Treasurer. To verify current fees,

the telephone number is (202) 442-9009. This

will be a recorded message.

Marriage $10.00 Marriage Bureau

515 5th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

Divorce $2.00 Clerk, Superior Court

 for the District of Columbia

Family Division

500 Indiana Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20001 

Records since September 16, 1956.

Varies Clerk, U.S. District Court

 for the District of Columbia

Washington, DC 20001

Records before September 16, 1956.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

9

Florida

Birth 

Death 

$9.00

$5.00 

Department of Health and

 Rehabilitative Services

Office of Vital Statistics

P.O. Box 210

1217 Pearl Street

Jacksonville, FL 32231 

State office has some birth records dating back to

April 1865 and some death records dating back to

August 1877. The majority of records date from

January 1917. (If the exact date is unknown, the

fee is $9.00 (births) or $5.00 (deaths) for the first

year searched and $2.00 for each additional year

up to a maximum of $50.00. Fee includes one

certification of record if found or certified

statement stating record not on file.) Additional

copies are $4.00 each when requested at the same

time.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Office of Vital Statistics. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (904) 359-6900. This will be a

recorded message.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since June 6, 1927. (If the exact date is

unknown, the fee is $5.00 for the first year

searched and $2.00 for each additional year up to

a maximum of $50.00. Fee includes one copy of

record if found or certified statement stating

record not on file.) Additional copies are $4.00

each when requested at the same time.

Divorce $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since June 6, 1927. (If the exact date is

unknown, the fee is $5.00 for the first year

searched and $2.00 for each additional year up to

a maximum of $50.00. Fee includes one copy of

record if found or certified statement stating

record not on file.) Additional copies are $4.00

each when requested at the same time. 

Georgia
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

10

Birth or Death $10.00 Georgia Department of Human

 Resources

Vital Records Service

Room 217-H

47 Trinity Avenue, SW

Atlanta, GA 30334

State office has had records since January 1919.

For earlier records in Atlanta or Savannah or

other cities or counties, write to the Vital Records

Office in county where event occurred. 

Additional copies of same record ordered at same

time are $5.00 each except birth cards, which are

$10.00 each.

Money order should be made payable to Vital

Records, GA. DHR. Personal checks are not

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (404) 656-4900. This is a recorded

message. Information on how to obtain certified

copies is also available via the internet at

http://www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us/org/vitalrecords.

htm.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Centralized State records since June 9, 1952.

Certified copies of marriage documents up to

1996 are issued at State office. Inquiries about

marriages occurring before June 9, 1952, will be

forwarded to appropriate Probate Judge in county

where license was issued.

The state office does not record marriage license

or applications after July 1, 1997.

Varies See remarks Probate Judge in county where license issued.

Divorce $2.00 for

certification plus

$0.50 per

page

See remarks Centralized State records since June 9, 1952.

Certified copies are not issued at State office.

Inquiries will be forwarded to appropriate Clerk

of Superior Court in county where divorce was

granted.

See remarks Clerk of Superior Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Guam

Birth or Death $5.00 Office of Vital Statistics

Department of Public Health

 and Social Services

Government of Guam

P.O. Box 2816

Agana, GU, M.I. 96910

Office has had records since October 16, 1901.

Money order should be made payable to

Treasurer of Guam. Personal checks are not

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (671) 734-4589.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death

Divorce Varies Clerk, Superior Court of Guam

Agana, GU, M.I. 96910

Hawaii
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

11

Birth or Death $10.00 State Department of Health

Office of Health Status

 Monitoring

Vital Records Section

P.O. Box 3378

Honolulu, HI 96801-9984 

State office has had records since 1853. 

Additional copies ordered at the same time are

$4.00 each.

Cashier’s check or money order should be made

payable to State Department of Health. Personal

checks are not accepted. To verify current fees,

the telephone number is (808) 586-4533. This is a

recorded message. Information on how to obtain

certified copies is also available via the Internet at

http://www.hawaii.gov.health/sdohpg02.htm.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1951.

Varies See remarks Circuit Court in county where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

12

Idaho

Birth

Death

$10.00

$10.00

Vital Statistics Unit

Center for Vital Statistics

 and Health Policy

450 West State Street, 1st Floor

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 83720-0036 

State office has had records since July 1911. For

records from 1907 to 1911, write to County

Recorder in county where event occurred.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Idaho Vital Statistics. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (208) 334-5988. This is a recorded

message.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death

Applicants must provide a copy of their drivers

license or other state picture identification. If this

is not available, the applicant must provide a copy

of two other forms of identification with a

signature.

Records since May 1947. Earlier records are with

County Recorder in county where license was

issued.

Varies See remarks County Recorder in county where license was

issued.

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since May 1947. Earlier records are with

County Recorder in county where divorce was

granted.

Varies See remarks County records in county where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

13

Illinois

Birth or Death $15.00

certified

copy 

$10.00

certification 

Division of Vital Records

Illinois Department of Public

 Health

605 West Jefferson Street

Springfield, IL 62702-5097

State office has had records since January 1916.

For earlier records and for copies of State records

since January 1916, write to County Clerk in

county where event occurred (county fees vary).

The fee for a search of the State files is $10.00. If

the record is found, one certification is issued at

no additional charge. Additional certifications of

the same record ordered at the same time are

$2.00 each. The fee for a full certified copy is

$15.00. Additional certified copies of the same

record ordered at the same time are $2.00 each.

Money orders, certified checks, or personal

checks should be made payable to Illinois

Department of Public Health. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (217) 782-6553.

This will be a recorded message. Information

on how to obtain certified copies is also available

via the Internet at http://www.idph.state.il.us.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Marriage Index since January 1962. Selected

items may be verified (fee $5.00). Certified copies

are NOT available from State office.

For certified copies, write to the County Clerk in

county where license was issued.

Divorce $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Divorce Index since January 1962. Selected items

may be verified (fee $5.00). Certified copies are

NOT available from State office.

For certified copies, write to the Clerk of Circuit

Court in county where divorce was granted.

Indiana

Birth

Death 

$6.00

$4.00 

Vital Records Section

State Department of Health

2 North Meridian Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

State office has had birth and death records since

October 1907. Additional copies of the same

record ordered at the same time are $1.00 each.

For earlier records, write to Health Officer in city

or county where event occurred.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Indiana State Department of Health. Personal

checks are accepted. To verify current fees, the

telephone number is (317) 233-2700. Information

on how to obtain certified copies is also available

via the Internet at

http:// www.in.us/doh/index.html.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

14

Marriage See remarks Same as Birth or Death Marriage index since 1958, for some counties.

Certified copies are not available from State

Health Department or State Library but must be

obtained from county where event occurred..

Varies See remarks Clerk of Circuit Court or Clerk of Superior Court

in county where license was issued.

Divorce Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.

Iowa

Birth or Death $10.00 Iowa Department of Public

 Health

Vital Records Section

Lucas Office Building

321 East 12th Street

Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 

State office has had records since July 1880.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Iowa Department of Public Health. To verify

current fees, the telephone number is (515) 281-

4944. This will be a recorded message. 

Information on how to obtain certified copies is

also available via the Internet at

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/pa/vr.htm.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since July 1880.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Brief statistical record only since 1906. Inquiries

will be forwarded to appropriate office. Certified

copies are not available from State Health

Department.

$10.00 See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where divorce

was granted. 

Kansas

Birth or Death $10.00 Office of Vital Statistics

Kansas State Department of

 Health and Environment

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson Street,

 Rm. 151

Topeka, Kansas 66612-2221

State office has had records since July 1911. For

earlier records, write to County Clerk in county

where event occurred. Additional copies of same

record ordered at same time are $5.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to 

Vital Statistics. Personal checks are accepted. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is (785)

296-1400. This will be a recorded message with

the option to speak with a Customer Service

Representative.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since May 1913. 

Additional copies of the same record ordered at

the same time are $5.00 each.

Varies See remarks Write to: District Judge in county where license

was issued.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

15

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since July 1951. 

Additional copies of the same record ordered at

the same time are $5.00 each.

Varies See remarks Write to: Clerk of District Court in county where

divorce was granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

16

Kentucky

Birth

Death

$10.00

$6.00 

Office of Vital Statistics

Department for Health Services

275 East Main Street

Frankfort, KY 40621 

State office has had records since January 1911.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Kentucky State Treasurer. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (502) 564-4212.

Marriage $6.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since June 1958.

Varies See remarks Clerk of County Court in county where license

was issued.

Divorce $6.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since June 1958.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Circuit Court in county where decree was

issued.

Louisiana

Birth (long form)

Birth (short form)

Death

$15.00

$9.00

$5.00 

Vital Records Registry

Office of Public Health

325 Loyola Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70112 

State office has had records since July 1914. Birth

records for City of New Orleans are available

from 1892. Death records are available since

1942. Older birth, death, and marriage records are

available through the Louisiana State Archives,

P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. 

Check or money order should be made payable to

Vital Records. Personal checks are accepted. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is

(504) 568-5152.

Marriage

 Orleans Parish

 Other Parishes

$5.00

Varies

Same as Birth or Death 

See remarks

Certified copies are issued by Clerk of Court in

parish where license was issued.

Divorce Varies See remarks Clerk of Court in parish where divorce was

granted.

Maine

Birth or Death Certified

$10.00

Uncertified

$6.00

Office of Vital Statistics

Maine Department of Human

 Services

State House Station 11

Augusta, ME 04333-0011

State office has had records since 1892. Records

for 1892–1922 are available at the Maine State

Archives. For earlier records, write to the

municipality where the event occurred. Additional

copies of same record ordered at same time are

$4.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Treasurer, State of Maine. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (207) 287-3184.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Same as Birth or Death.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

17

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Same as Birth or Death.

Divorce Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in judicial division where

divorce was granted.

Maryland

Birth or Death $6.00 Division of Vital Records

Department of Health and

 Mental Hygiene

6550 Reistertown Avenue

P.O. Box 68760

Baltimore, MD 21215-0020 

State office has had records since August 1898.

Records for City of Baltimore are available from

January 1875. Fee for Commemorative Birth

Certificates is $25.00.

Will not do research for genealogical studies.

Must apply to State of Maryland Archives, 350

Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401,

(410) 974-3914.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Division of Vital Records. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (410) 764-3038. This will be a

recorded message.

Marriage $6.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since June 1951.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Circuit Court in county where license

was issued or Clerk of Court of Common Pleas of

Baltimore City (for licenses issued in City of

Baltimore).

Divorce

 Verification

only

No fee Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1961. Certified copies are

not available from State office. Some items may

be verified.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Circuit Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Massachusetts

Birth or Death $6.00 (In

person)

$11.00

(Mail

request)

$3.00 (State

Archives) 

Registry of Vital Records and

 Statistics

470 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor

Boston, MA 02210-2224

State office has records since 1906. For earlier

records, write to The Massachusetts Archives at

Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Boulevard,

Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-2816.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Registry of Vital Records. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (617) 753-8600. This will be a

recorded message.

Marriage Same as

Birth or

Death 

Same as Birth or Death Records since 1906.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

18

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Index only since 1952. Inquirer will be directed

where to send request. Certified copies are not

available from State office.

Divorce $3.00 See remarks Registrar of Probate Court in county where

divorce was granted.

Michigan

Birth or Death $13.00 Vital Records

3423 North Martin Luther King

Blvd.

P.O. Box 30195

Lansing, MI 48909 

State office has records of births and deaths that

occurred and were filed with the state since 1867.

Some of the records (especially pre-1906 births

and pre-1897 deaths) were not filed with the state. 

Check or money order should be made payable to

State of Michigan. Personal checks are accepted.

Additional copies of the same record, ordered at

the same time are $4.00 each. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (517) 335-8656.

This will be a recorded message. Information on

how to obtain certified copies is also available via

the Internet at http://

www.mdch.state.mi.us/pha/osr.

Copies of records may also be obtained from the

County Clerk in county where event occurred. 

Fees vary from county to county. Records of

Detroit births occurring since 1893 and deaths

since 1897 may be obtained from the city of

Detroit Health Department.

Marriage $13.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1867. Some marriages (especially

pre-1926) were not filed with the state.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce $13.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1897. Some divorces (especially

pre-1924) were not filed with the state.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

19

Minnesota

Birth

Death

$14.00

$11.00

Minnesota Department of

Health

Section of Vital Statistics

717 Delaware Street, SE

P.O. Box 9441

Minneapolis, MN 55440

State office has had birth records since January

1900 and death records since January 1908.

Copies of earlier records may be obtained from

Local Registrar in county where event occurred.

Additional copies of the birth record when

ordered at the same time are $8.00 each.

Additional copies of the death record when

ordered at the same time are $5.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Treasurer State of Minnesota. Personal checks

are accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (612) 676-5120. Information on how

to obtain certified copies is also available via the

Internet at http://www.health.state.mn.us.

Marriage See remarks Same as Birth or Death Statewide index since January 1958. Inquiries will

be forwarded to appropriate office. Certified

copies are not available from State Department of

Health.

$8.00 See remarks Local Registrar in county where license was

issued. Additional copies of the marriage record

when ordered at the same time are $2.00 each.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Index since January 1970. Certified copies are not

available from State office.

$10.00 See remarks Local Registrar in county where divorce was

granted.

Mississippi

Birth 

Birth (short form)

Death 

$12.00

$7.00

$10.00

Vital Records

State Department of Health

2423 North State Street

Jackson, MS 39216

State office has had records since 1912. Full

copies of birth certificates obtained within 1 year

after the event are $7.00. Additional copies of

same record ordered at same time are $3.00 each

for birth; $2.00 each for death and marriage. For

out-of-State requests only bank or postal money

orders are accepted and should be made payable

to Mississippi State Department of Health.

Personal checks are accepted only for in-State

requests. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (601) 576-7981. A recorded message

may be reached on (601) 576-7450.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Statistical records only from January 1926 to July

1, 1938, and since January 1942.

$3.00 See remarks Circuit Clerk in county where license was issued.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

20

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1926. Certified copies are

not available from State office. Index search only

available at $6.00 for each 5-year increment.

Book and page number for county record

provided.

Divorce Varies See remarks Chancery Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.

Missouri

Birth or Death $10.00 Missouri Department of Health

Bureau of Vital Records

930 Wildwood

P.O. Box 570

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

State office has had records since January 1910. 

Certified copies of most Missouri birth and death

records are also available from local county health

department or the St. Louis City or Kansas City

Health Departments. For details, please contact

these offices directly. If event occurred in St.

Louis (City), St. Louis County, or Kansas City

before 1910, write to the City or County Health

Department. Copies of these records are $10.00

each in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. In

Kansas City, for city certified copies the fee is

$6.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each

additional copy ordered at same time. Computer

issued copies containing the state certification are

$10.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Missouri Department of Health. Personal

checks are accepted. To verify current fees on

birth and death records, the telephone number is

(573) 751-6400. Information on how to obtain

certified copies is also available via the Internet at 

http://www.health.state.mo.us/cgi-bin/uncgi/

birthand deathrecords.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Indexes since July 1948. Correspondent will be

referred to appropriate Recorder of Deeds in

county where license was issued.

Varies See remarks Recorder of Deeds in county where license was

issued.

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Indexes since July 1948. Certified copies are not

available from State Health Department. Inquiries

will be forwarded to appropriate office.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Circuit Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Montana
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

21

Birth or Death $10.00 MT Dept of Public Health

 and Human Services 

 Vital Statistics Bureau

 P.O. Box 4210

Helena, MT 59604 

State office has had records since late 1907.

Photocopy of picture ID and signature required.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Montana Department of Public Health and

Human Services. Personal checks are accepted.

To verify current fees, the telephone number is

(406) 444-4228. Information on how to obtain

certified copies is also available via the Internet at 

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov.

Marriage See remarks Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1943. Some items may be

verified. Inquiries will be forwarded to

appropriate office. Apply to county where license

was issued if known. Certified copies are not

available from State office.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where license

was issued. 

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1943. Some items may be

verified. Inquiries will be forwarded to

appropriate office. Apply to court where divorce

was granted if known. Certified copies are not

available from State office.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Birth 

Death 

$8.00

$7.00 

Bureau of Vital Statistics

Department of Health 

 and Human Services

301 Centennial Mall South

P.O. Box 95065

Lincoln, NE 68509-5065 

State office has had records since late 1904. If

birth occurred before then, write the State office

for information. Check or money order should be

made payable to Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Personal checks are accepted. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (402) 471-2871.

This is a recorded message.

Marriage $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1909.

Varies See remarks County Court in county where license was issued.

Divorce $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1909.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Nebraska
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

22

Birth 

Death 

$8.00

$7.00 

Bureau of Vital Statistics

Department of Health 

 and Human Services

301 Centennial Mall South

P.O. Box 95065

Lincoln, NE 68509-5065 

State office has had records since late 1904. If

birth occurred before then, write the State office

for information. Check or money order should be

made payable to Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Personal checks are accepted. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (402) 471-2871.

This is a recorded message.

Marriage $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1909.

Varies See remarks County Court in county where license was issued.

Divorce $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1909.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Nevada

Birth

Death

$11.00

$8.00

Division of Health—Vital

 Statistics

Capitol Complex

505 East King Street #102

Carson City, NV 89710 

State office has records since July 1911. For

earlier records, write to County Recorder in

county where event occurred.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Section of Vital Statistics. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (775) 684-4280. This will be a

recorded message.

Marriage See remarks Same as Birth or Death Indexes since January 1968. Certified copies are

not available from State Health Department.

Inquiries will be forwarded to appropriate office.

Varies See remarks County Recorder in county where license was

issued.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Indexes since January 1968. Certified copies are

not available from State Health Department.

Inquiries will be forwarded to appropriate office.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where divorce was

granted. 

New Hampshire
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

23

Birth or Death $10.00 Bureau of Vital Records

Health and Welfare Building

6 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03301 

State office has had records since 1640. Copies of

records may be obtained from State office or from

City or Town Clerk in place where event

occurred. Additional copies ordered at the same

time are $6.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Treasurer, State of New Hampshire. Personal

checks are accepted. To verify current fees, the

telephone number is (603) 271-4654. This will be

a recorded message.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1640.

$10.00 See remarks Town Clerk in town where license was issued.

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1880.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court where divorce was

granted.

New Jersey

Birth or Death $4.00 New Jersey State Department

 of Health and Senior Services

Bureau of Vital Statistics

P.O. Box 370

Trenton, NJ 08625-0307

 

State office has had records since June 1878.

Additional copies of same record ordered at same

time are $2.00 each. If the exact date is unknown,

the fee is an additional $1.00 per year searched.

New Jersey Department of State

Division of Archives and 

Records Management

P.O. Box 307

Trenton, NJ 08625-0307

For records from May 1848 to May 1878.

Check or money order should be made payable to

New Jersey State Department of Health.

Personal checks are accepted. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (609) 292-4087.

This will be a recorded message.

Marriage $4.00 Same as Birth or Death If the exact date is unknown, the fee is an

additional $1.00 per year searched.

$4.00 New Jersey Department of State 

 Division of Archives and 

 Records Management

P.O. Box 307

Trenton, NJ 08625-0307

For records from May 1848 to May 1878.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

24

Divorce $10.00 Public Information Center

CN 967

Trenton, NJ 08625

The fee is for a certified Blue Seal copy. Make

check payable to Clerk of the Superior Court. 

New Mexico

Birth 

Death

$10.00

$5.00

Vital Statistics

New Mexico Health Services

 Division

P.O. Box 26110

Santa Fe, NM 87502

State office has had records since 1920 and

delayed records since 1880.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Vital Statistics. Personal checks are accepted. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is (505)

827-2338. This will be a recorded message.

Marriage Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

25

New York

(except New York City)

Birth or Death $15.00 Certification Unit 

Vital Records Section

P.O. Box 2602

Albany, NY 12220-2602

State office has had records since 1880. For

records before 1914 in Albany, Buffalo, and

Yonkers, or before 1880 in any other city, write to

Registrar of Vital Statistics in city where event

occurred. For the rest of the State, except New

York City, write to State office.

Check or money order should be made payable to

New York State Department of Health.

Personal checks are accepted. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (518) 474-3075.

This will be a recorded message.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Records from 1880 to present.

$5.00 See remarks For records from 1880–1907 and licenses issued

in the cities of Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers, apply

to—Albany: City Clerk, City Hall, Albany, NY

12207; Buffalo: City Clerk, City Hall, Buffalo,

NY 14202; Yonkers: Registrar of Vital Statistics,

Health Center Building, Yonkers, NY 10701.

Divorce $15.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1963.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.

New York City

Birth or Death $15.00 Office of Vital Records

New York City Department of

 Health

125 Worth Street, Box 4

New York, NY 10013 

Office has birth records since 1910 and death

records since 1949 for those occuring in the

boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx,

Queens, and Staten Island. For birth records prior

to 1910 and death records prior to 1949, write to

Municipal Archives, Department of Records and

Information Services, 31 Chambers Street, New

York, NY 10007.

Check or money order should be made payable to

New York City Department of Health. A 24-

hour automated telephone system is available that

provides detailed information. The telephone

number is (212) 788-4520. Information on how

to obtain certified copies is also available via the

Internet at http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/health.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

26

Marriage

 Bronx Borough 

 Brooklyn

 Borough

 Manhattan

 Borough

 Queens Borough

 Staten Island

 Borough 

 (no longer called

 Richmond) 

$10.00

$10.00

$10.00

$10.00

$10.00 

City Clerk's Office

1780 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10457

City Clerk's Office

Municipal Building

Brooklyn, NY 11201

City Clerk's Office

Municipal Building

New York, NY 10007

City Clerk's Office

120-55 Queens Boulevard

Kew Gardens, NY 11424

City Clerk's Office

Staten Island Borough Hall

Staten Island, NY 10301

Records from 1847 to 1865. Archives Division,

Department of Records and Information Services,

31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007,

except Brooklyn records for this period, which are

filed with County Clerk's Office, Kings County,

Supreme Court Building, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Additional copies of same record ordered at same

time are $5.00 each. Records from 1866 to 1907.

City Clerk's Office in borough where marriage

was performed. Records from 1908 to May 12,

1943. New York City residents write to City

Clerk's Office in the borough of bride's residence;

nonresidents write to City Clerk's Office in

borough where license was obtained. Records

since May 13, 1943. City Clerk's Office in

borough where license was issued.

Divorce See New York State

North Carolina

Birth or Death $10.00 NC Vital Records

P.O. Box 29537

Raleigh, NC 27626-0537

State office has had birth records since October

1913 and death records since January 1, 1946.

Death records from 1913 through 1945 are

available from NC State Archives, 109 East Jones

Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-2807

Additional copies of the same record ordered at

the same time are $5.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

NC Vital Records. Personal checks are accepted.

To verify current fees, the telephone number is

(919) 733-3526. Information on how to obtain

certified copies is also available via the Internet at

http://www.schs.state.nc.us/SCHS/

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1962.

$3.00 See remarks Register of Deeds in county where marriage was

performed.

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1958.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Superior Court where divorce was

granted. 
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

27

North Dakota

Birth

Death 

$7.00

$5.00 

Division of Vital Records

State Capitol

600 East Boulevard Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58505-0200

State office has had some records since July 1893.

Years from 1894 to 1920 are incomplete.

Additional copies of birth records are $4.00 each.

Copies are generally mailed within 2-3 working

days after request is received.

Money order should be made payable to ND

Dept. of Health. To verify current fees, the

telephone number is (701) 328-2360. This is an

automated attendant with a recorded message. 

Information on how to obtain certified copies is

also available via the Internet at http://

www.health.state.nd.us. Records can be ordered

online at the website.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1925. Requests for earlier

records will be forwarded to appropriate office.

Additional copies are $2.00 each.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where license

was issued.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Index of records since July 1949. Some items may

be verified. Certified copies are not available from

State Health Department. Inquiries will be

forwarded to appropriate office.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Northern Mariana

 Islands

Birth or Death $3.00 Superior Court

Vital Records Section

P.O. Box 307

Saipan, MP 96950 

Office has had records for birth and death since

1945 and records for marriage since 1954. Years

from 1945 to 1950 are incomplete.

Marriage $3.00 Same as Birth or Death Money order or Bank Cashiers Check should be

made payable to Superior Court. Personal

checks are not accepted. To verify current fees,

the telephone number is (670) 234-6401, ext. 15.

Divorce $0.50 per

page for

Divorce

Decree plus

$2.50 for

certification

Same as Birth or Death Office has had records for divorce since 1960. 
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

28

Ohio

Birth or Death $9.00 Bureau of Vital Statistics

Ohio Department of Health

35 East Chestnut St., 6th Floor

P.O. Box 15098

Columbus, OH 43215-0098 

State office has had birth records since December

20, 1908. For earlier birth and death records, write

to the Probate Court in the county where the event

occurred. The State Office has death records

which occurred after December 31, 1936. Death

records which occurred December

1908–December 1944, can be obtained from the

Ohio Historical Society, Archives Library

Division, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH

43211-2497. A searchable index to records from

1913 to 1937 is also available via the Internet at

http://www.ohiohistory.org.

Check or money order should be made payable to

State Treasury. Personal checks are accepted. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is (614)

466-2531. This will be a recorded message. 

Information on how to obtain certified copies is

also available via the Internet at

http://www.odh.state.oh.us.

Marriage See remarks Same as Birth or Death Records since September 1949. All items may be

verified. Certified copies are not available from

State Health Department. Inquiries will be

referred to appropriate office.

Varies See remarks Probate Judge in county where license was issued.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Records since September 1949. All items may be

verified. Certified copies are not available from

State Health Department. Inquiries will be

forwarded to appropriate office.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Court of Common Pleas in county where

divorce was granted.

Oklahoma

Birth

Death 

 

$5.00

$10.00

Vital Records Section

State Department of Health

1000 Northeast 10th Street

P.O. Box 53551

Oklahoma City, OK 73152

State office has had records since October 1908.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Personal checks are accepted. To verify current

fees, the telephone number is (405) 271-4040.

Marriage Varies See remarks Clerk of Court in county where license was

issued.

Divorce Varies See remarks Clerk of Court in county where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

29

Oregon

Birth or Death $15.00 Oregon Health Division

Vital Statistics Section

P.O. Box 14050

Portland, OR 97293-0050 

State office has had records since January 1903.

Some earlier records for the City of Portland since

approximately 1880 are available from the Oregon

State Archives, 1005 Broadway, NE, Salem, OR

97310.

Additional copies of the same record ordered at

the same time are $12.00 each.

Money order should be made payable to Oregon

Health Division. To verify current fees, the

telephone number is (503) 731-4095. This will be

a recorded message. Information on how to

obtain certified copies is also available via the

Internet at http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us.

Heirloom Birth $28.00 Same as Birth or Death Presentation style calligraphy certificate suitable

for framing.

Marriage $15.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1906.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

County Clerks also have some records before

1906.

Divorce $15.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1925.

Varies See remarks County Circuit Court Clerk in county where

divorce was granted. County Clerks also have

some records before 1925.

Pennsylvania

Birth 

 Wallet card

Death

$4.00

$5.00

$3.00 

Division of Vital Records

State Department of Health

Central Building

101 South Mercer Street

P.O. Box 1528

New Castle, PA 16103

 State office has had records since January 1906. 

For earlier records, write to Register of Wills,

Orphans Court, in county seat of county where

event occurred. Persons born in Pittsburgh from

1870 to 1905 or in Allegheny City, now part of

Pittsburgh, from 1882 to 1905 should write to

Office of Biostatistics, Pittsburgh Health

Department, City—County Building, Pittsburgh,

PA 15219. For events occurring in City of

Philadelphia from 1860 to 1915, write to Vital

Statistics, Philadelphia Department of Public

Health, 401 North Broad Street, Room 942,

Philadelphia, PA 19108.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Division of Vital Records. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (724) 656-3100.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

30

Marriage Varies See remarks Make application to the Marriage License Clerks,

County Court House, in county where license was

issued.

Divorce Varies See remarks Make application to the Prothonotary, Court

House, in county seat of county where divorce

was granted.

Puerto Rico

Birth or Death $2.00 Department of Health

Demographic Registry

P.O. Box 11854

Fernández Juncos Station

San Juan, PR 00910

Central office has had records since July 22,

1931. Copies of earlier records may be obtained

by writing to local Registrar (Registrador

Demografico) in municipality where event

occurred or by writing to central office for

information.

Money order should be made payable to

Secretary of the Treasury. Personal checks are

not accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (787) 728-7980.

Marriage $2.00 Same as Birth or Death

All applications must be accompanied by a

photocopy of an identification card with picture. 

Example: Driver’s license or Passport (not

expired).

Divorce $2.00 Same as Birth or Death

See remarks Superior Court where divorce was granted.

Rhode Island

Birth or Death $15.00 Division of Vital Records

Rhode Island Department of

 Health

3 Capitol Hill, Room 101

Providence, RI 02908-5097

State office keeps birth and marriage records for

100 years and keeps death records for 50 years. 

For earlier records, write to the city/town clerk

where the event occurred or to the Rhode Island

State Archives, 337 Westminster Street,

Providence, RI 02903. Additional copies of the

same record ordered at the same time are $10.00

each. 

Check or money order should be made payable to

General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is (401)

222-2811. This will be a recorded message.

Marriage $15.00 Same as Birth or Death

Divorce $3.00 Clerk of Family Court

1 Dorrance Plaza

Providence, RI 02903
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

31

South Carolina

Birth or Death $12.00 Office of Public Health

Statistics

 and Information Systems 

South Carolina Department of

 Health and Environmental

 Control

2600 Bull Street

Columbia, SC 29201 

State office has had records since January 1915.

City of Charleston births from 1877 and deaths

from 1821 are on file at Charleston County Health

Department. Ledger entries of Florence City

births and deaths from 1895 to 1914 are on file at

Florence County Health Department. Ledger

entries of Newberry City births and deaths from

the late 1800's are on file at Newberry County

Health Department. These are the only early

records obtainable. Additional copies of the same

birth records ordered at the same time of

certification are $3.00.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Department of Health and Environmental

Control. Personal checks are accepted. To verify

current fees, the telephone number is (803) 898-

3630.

Marriage $12.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1950.

Varies See remarks Records since July 1911. Probate Judge in county

where license was issued.

Divorce $12.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1962.

Varies See remarks Records since April 1949. Clerk of county where

petition was filed.

South Dakota

Birth or Death $10.00 Vital Records

State Department of Health

600 East Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 57501-2536 

State office has records filed after July 1905. 

Money order should be made payable to South

Dakota Department of Health. Personal checks

are accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (605) 773-4961. This will be a

recorded message. Information on how to obtain

certified copies is also available via the Internet at

 http://www.state.sd.us/doh/vitalrec/vital.htm.

Marriage $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1905. Marriages can also be

obtained from the County Register of Deeds

where the marriage occurred.

Divorce $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since July 1905. Divorces can also be

obtained from the Clerk of Courts in the county

where the divorce was granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

32

Tennessee

Birth (long form)

Birth (short form)

Death

$10.00

$5.00

$5.00

Tennessee Vital Records

Department of Health

Central Services Building

421 5th Avenue, North

Nashville, TN 37247-0450 

State office has had birth records for entire State

since January 1914, for Nashville since June

1881, for Knoxville since July 1881, and for

Chattanooga since January 1882. State office has

had death records for entire State since January

1914, for Nashville since July 1874, for Knoxville

since July 1887, and for Chattanooga since March

6, 1872. Birth and death enumeration records by

school district are available for July 1908 through

June 1912. Vital Records Office keeps death,

marriage and divorce records for 50 years; older

records are maintained by Tennessee Library and

Archives, Archives Division, Nashville, TN

37243-0312. For Memphis birth records from

April 1874 through December 1887 and

November 1898 to January 1, 1914, and for

Memphis death records from May 1848 to

January 1, 1914, write to Memphis—Shelby

County Health Department, Division of Vital

Records, Memphis, TN 38105. Additional copies

of the same birth, marriage, or divorce record,

requested at the same time, are $2.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Tennessee Vital Records. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (615) 741-1763. Information on how

to obtain certified copies is also available via the

Internet at

http://www.state.tn.us/health/vr/index.html.

Marriage $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Vital Records Office keeps marriage records for

50 years. Older records are maintained by

Tennessee Library and Archives, Archives

Division, Nashville, TN 37243-0312.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce $10.00 Same as Birth or Death Vital Records Office keeps divorce records for 50

years. Older records are maintained by Tennessee

Library and Archives, Archives Division,

Nashville, TN 37243-0312.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Court in county where divorce was

granted.

Texas
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

33

Birth 

Death

$11.00

$9.00

Bureau of Vital Statistics

Texas Department of Health

P.O. Box 12040

Austin, TX 78711-2040 

State office has had birth and death records since

1903. Additional copies of the birth record

ordered at same time are $11.00 each. Additional

copies of the death record ordered at the same

time are $3.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Texas Department of Health. Personal checks

are accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (512) 458-7111. This is a recorded

message. Information on how to obtain certified

copies is also available via the Internet at

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/bvs.

Marriage See remarks Records since January 1966. Certified copies are

not available from State office. Fee for search and

verification of essential facts of marriage is $9.00

each.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce See remarks Records since January 1968. Certified copies are

not available from State office. Fee for search and

verification of essential facts of divorce is $9.00

each.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court in county where divorce

was granted.

Utah

Birth

Death

$12.00

$9.00

Bureau of Vital Records

Utah Department of Health

288 North 1460 West

P.O. Box 141012

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012 

State office has had records since 1905. If event

occurred from 1890 to 1904 in Salt Lake City or

Ogden, write to City Board of Health. For records

elsewhere in the State from 1898 to 1904, write to

County Clerk in county where event occurred.

Additional copies, when requested at the same

time, are $5.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Utah Department of Health. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (801) 538-6105. This is a recorded

message. Information on how to obtain certified

copies is also available via the Internet at

hlunix.ex.state.ut.us/bvr/home.html.

Marriage $9.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since 1978. Only

short form certified copies are available.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce $9.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since 1978. Only

short form certified copies are available.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

34

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

35

Vermont

Birth or Death $7.00 Vermont Department of Health

Vital Records Section

P. O. Box 70

108 Cherry Street

Burlington, VT 05402 

State office has records for the latest 10 years.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Vermont Department of Health. Personal

checks are accepted. To verify current fees, the

telephone number is (802) 863-7275.

Birth, Death,

Marriage or

Divorce

$7.00 Division of Public Records

US Route 2—Middlesex

Drawer 33 

Montpelier, VT 05633 

Records prior to the latest 10 years. Check or

money order should be made payable to General

Services. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (802) 828-3286.

$7.00 See remarks Town or City Clerk of town/city where birth or

death occurred.

Marriage $7.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has records for the latest 10 years.

$7.00 See remarks Town or City Clerk in town/city where license

was issued.

Divorce $7.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has records for the latest 10 years.

$7.00 See remarks Family court in county where divorce was

granted.

Virginia

Birth or Death $8.00 Office of Vital Records

 and Health Statistics

State Health Department

P.O. Box 1000

Richmond, VA 23218-1000 

State office has had records from January 1853 to

December 1896 and since June 14, 1912. Only the

cities of Hampton, Newport News and Norfolk

have records between 1896 and June 14, 1912. 

Check or money order should be made payable to

State Health Department. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (804) 225-5000. This is a recorded

message.

Marriage $8.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1853.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Court in county or city where license was

issued.

Divorce $8.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since January 1918.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Court in county or city where divorce

was granted. 
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

36

Virgin Islands

Birth or Death

 St. Croix $15.00 Registrar of Vital Statistics

Charles Harwood Memorial

 Hospital

Christiansted

St. Croix, VI 00820

Registrar has had birth and death records on file

since 1840.

 St. Thomas and

 St. John

$15.00 Registrar of Vital Statistics

Knud Hansen Complex

Hospital Ground

Charlotte Amalie

St. Thomas, VI 00802 

Registrar has had birth records on file since July

1906 and death records since January 1906.

Money order for birth and death records should be

made payable to Bureau of Vital

Statistics. Personal checks are not accepted.

To verify current fees, the telephone number is

(340) 774-9000 ext. 4621 or 4623.

Marriage See remarks Bureau of Vital Records and

 Statistical Services

Virgin Islands Department of

 Health

Charlotte Amalie

St. Thomas, VI 00801 

Certified copies are not available. Inquiries will

be forwarded to the appropriate office.

 St. Croix $2.00 Chief Deputy Clerk

Family Division

Territorial Court of the

 Virgin Islands

P.O. Box 929

Christiansted

St. Croix, VI 00820

 St. Thomas and

 St. John

$2.00 Clerk of the Territorial Court

 of the Virgin Islands

Family Division

P.O. Box 70

Charlotte Amalie

St. Croix, VI 00801

Divorce See remarks Same as Marriage Certified copies are not available. Inquiries will

be forwarded to appropriate office.

 St. Croix $5.00 Same as Marriage Money order for marriage and divorce records

should be made payable to Territorial Court of

the Virgin Islands. Personal checks are not

accepted.

 St. Thomas and

 St. John

$5.00 Same as Marriage
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

37

Washington

Birth or Death $13.00 Department of Health

Center for Health Statistics

P.O. Box 9709

Olympia, WA 98507-9709

Must have exact information for births.

State office has had records since July 1907. For

King, Pierce, and Spokane counties copies may

also be obtained from county health departments.

County Auditor of county of birth has registered

births prior to July 1907.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Department of Health. To verify current fees,

the telephone number is (360) 236-4300. 

Information on how to obtain certified copies is

also available via the Internet at

wxk0303@hub.doh.wa.gov.

Marriage $13.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since January 1968.

Varies See remarks County Auditor in county where license was

issued.

Divorce $13.00 Same as Birth or Death State office has had records since January 1968.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where divorce was

granted.

West Virginia

Birth or Death $5.00 Vital Registration Office

Division of Health State

350 Capitol Street, Rm. 157

Charleston, WV 25301-3701

State office has had records since January 1917.

For earlier records, write to Clerk of County

Court in county where event occurred.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Vital Registration. Personal checks are accepted.

To verify current fees, the telephone number is

(304) 558-2931.

Marriage $5.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since 1921. Certified copies available

from 1964.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce See remarks Same as Birth or Death Index since 1968. Some items may be verified

(fee $5.00). Certified copies are not available

from State office.

Varies See remarks Clerk of Circuit Court, Chancery Side, in county

where divorce was granted.
Place of event

Cost of

copy Address Remarks

38

Wisconsin

Birth

Death

$12.00

$7.00

Vital Records

1 West Wilson Street

P.O. Box 309

Madison, WI 53701 

State Office has scattered records earlier than

1857. Records before October 1, 1907, are very

incomplete. Additional copies of the same record

ordered at the same time are $2.00 each.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Vital Records. Personal checks are accepted. A

stamped, self-addressed business size (#10)

envelope should be included with the request. To

verify current fees, the telephone number is (608)

266-1371. This will be a recorded message. 

Information on how to obtain certified copies is

also available via the Internet at

http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/vitalrecords/

vitlindex.htm.

Marriage $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since April 1836. Records before

October 1, 1907, are very incomplete and cannot

be searched without a county of marriage. 

Additional copies of the same record ordered at

the same time are $2.00 each.

Divorce $7.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since October 1907. Additional copies of

the same record ordered at the same time are

$2.00 each. 

Wyoming

Birth

Death

$12.00

$9.00

Vital Records Services

Hathaway Building

Cheyenne, WY 82002

State office has had records since July 1909.

Check or money order should be made payable to

Vital Records Services. Personal checks are

accepted. To verify current fees, the telephone

number is (307) 777-7591. Information on how

to obtain certified copies is also available via the

Internet at http://wdhfs.state.wy.us/vital_

records.

Marriage $12.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since May 1941.

Varies See remarks County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Divorce $12.00 Same as Birth or Death Records since May 1941.

Varies See remarks Clerk of District Court where divorce took place.
39

Foreign, high-seas, or 

Panama Canal Zone

births and deaths and

certificates of citizenship

Birth records of persons born in

foreign countries who are U.S.

citizens at birth

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should

be reported to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy as soon

after the birth as possible. To do this, the child's parent or legal

guardian should file an Application for Consular Report of Birth

Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form FS579/SS-5). This form may also be used to apply for a Social

Security Number for the child. A $40.00 fee is charged for

reporting the birth.

The application must be supported by evidence to establish

the child's U.S. citizenship. Usually, the following documents

are needed:

1. the child's foreign birth certificate;

2. evidence of the U.S. citizenship of the parent(s) such as a

certified copy of a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship;

3. evidence of the parents' marriage, if applicable; and

4. affidavit(s) of the physical presence of the parent(s) in the

United States.

Each document should be certified as a true copy of the

original by the registrar of the office that issued the document.

Other documents may be needed in some cases. Contact the

nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for details on what evidence

is needed.

When the application is approved, a Consular Report of

Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form

FS-240) is given to the applicant. This document, known as the

Consular Report of Birth, has the same value as proof of

citizenship as the Certificate of Citizenship issued by the

Immigration and Naturalization Service.

A Consular Report of Birth can be prepared only at a U.S.

Embassy or Consulate overseas, and only if the person who is

the subject of the report is under 18 years of age when the

application is made. A person residing abroad who is now 18

years of age or over, and whose claim to U.S. citizenship has

never been documented, should contact the nearest U.S.

Embassy or Consulate for assistance in registering as a U.S.

citizen.

As of November 1, 1990, the U.S. Department of State no

longer issues multiple copies of the Consular Report of Birth.

However, a replacement Consular Report of Birth may be issued

if the original document is lost or mutilated. The U.S.

Department of State also issues certified copies of the

Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350), which

contains the same information as on the Consular Report

of Birth. The DS-1350 serves most needs and can be

issued in multiple copies. Documents are issued only to

the subject of the Consular Report of Birth, the subject's

parents or legal guardian, or a person who submits

written authorization from the subject.

To request copies of the DS-1350 or a replacement

FS-240, write to Passport Services, Correspondence

Branch, U.S. Department of State, 1111 19th Street NW,

Suite 510, Washington, DC 20522-1705. Please include

the following items: 

1. the full name of the child at birth (and any adoptive

name);

2. the date and place of birth;

3. the names of the parents;

4. the serial number of the FS-240 (if the FS-240 was

issued after November 1, 1990);

5. any available passport information; 

6. the signature of the requestor and the requestor's

relationship to the subject;

7. a check or money order for $40.00 for the FS-240,

$20.00 for the first DS-1350 and $10.00 for each

additional issued at the same time per document

requested, made payable to the U.S. Department of

State; and 

8. if applying for a replacement FS-240, a notarized

affidavit by the subject, parent, or legal

representative that states the name, date and place

of birth of the subject, and the whereabouts of the

original FS-240.

To obtain a Consular Report of Birth in a new

name, send a written request and fees as noted above, the

original (or replacement) Consular Report of Birth, or if

not available, a notarized affidavit about its whereabouts.

Also, send a certified copy of the court order or final

adoption decree which identifies the child and shows the

change of name with the request. If the name has been

changed informally, submit public records and affidavits

that show the change of name.

Birth records of alien children
40

adopted by U.S. citizens

Birth certifications for alien children adopted by U.S.

citizens and lawfully admitted to the United States may be

obtained from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

if the birth information is on file. (Address can be found in a

telephone directory.) To obtain the birth data, it is necessary to

provide the Immigration Office with proof of adoption or

legitimation.

Certificate of citizenship

Persons who were born abroad and later naturalized as U.S.

citizens or who were born in a foreign country to a U.S. citizen

(parent or parents) may apply for a certificate of citizenship

pursuant to the provisions of Section 341 of the Immigration and

Nationality Act. Application can be made for this document in

the United States at the nearest office of the Immigration and

Naturalization Service (INS). The INS will issue a certification

of citizenship for the person if proof of citizenship is submitted

and the person is within the United States. The decision whether

to apply for a certificate of citizenship is optional; its possession

is not mandatory because a valid U.S. passport or a Form FS-240

has the same evidentiary status.

Death records of U.S. citizens who

die in foreign countries

The death of a U.S. citizen in a foreign country may be

reported to the nearest U.S. consular office. If reported, and a

copy of the local death certificate and evidence of U.S.

citizenship are presented, the consul prepares the official Report

of the Death of an American Citizen Abroad' (Form OF-180). A

copy of the Report of Death is then filed permanently in the U.S.

Department of State (see exceptions below).

To obtain a copy of a report filed in 1963 or after, write to

Passport Services, Correspondence Branch, U.S. Department of

State, Washington, DC 20522-1705. The fee for a copy is

$20.00 for the first copy, $10.00 for each additional copy. Fee

may be subject to change.

Reports of Death filed before 1963 are maintained by the

National Archives and Records Service, Diplomatic Records

Branch, Washington, DC 20408. Requests for such records

should be sent directly to that office.

Reports of deaths of persons serving in the Armed Forces

of the United States (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast

Guard) or civilian employees of the Department of Defense are

not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. In these cases,

requests for copies of records should be sent to the National

Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 9700

Page Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100. 

Records of birth and death

occurring on vessels or aircraft

on the high seas

When a birth or death occurs on the high seas, whether in

an aircraft or on a vessel, the record is usually filed at the next

port of call. 

1. If the vessel or aircraft docked or landed at a

foreign port, requests for copies of the record may

be made to the U.S. Department of State,

Washington, DC 20522–1705.

2. If the first port of entry was in the United States,

write to the registration authority in the city where

the vessel or aircraft docked or landed in the United

States.

3. If the vessel was of U.S. registry, contact the local

authorities at the port of entry and/or search the

vessel logs at the U.S. Coast Guard Facility at the

vessel's final port of call for that voyage.

Records maintained by foreign

countries

Most, but not all, foreign countries record births

and deaths. It is not possible to list in this publication all

foreign vital records offices, the charges they make for

copies of records, or the information they may require to

locate a record. However, most foreign countries will

provide certifications of births and deaths occurring

within their boundaries.

Persons who need a copy of a foreign birth or death

record should contact the Embassy or the nearest

Consulate in the U.S. of the country in which the death

occurred. Addresses and telephone numbers for these

offices are listed in the U.S. Department of State

Publication 7846,Foreign Consular Offices in the United

States, which is available in many local libraries. Copies

of this publication may also be purchased from the U.S.

Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

If the Embassy or Consulate is unable to provide

assistance, U.S. citizens may obtain assistance by writing

to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, U.S.

Department of State, Washington, DC 20520–4818.

Aliens residing in the United States may be able to obtain

assistance through the Embassy or Consulate of their

country of nationality.

Records of birth, death, or marriage in

the Panama Canal Zone for U.S. citizens

and foreign nationals

From 1904 until 1979, the Canal Zone Government

registered all civil acts of birth, death and marriage in the

Canal Zone for U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. Since

1979, the Panama Canal Commission has issued certified

copies of these documents in response to requests from

the public. On December 31, 1999, the Panama Canal

Commission will no longer exist. On December 1, 1999,

those records were transferred to Passport Services in the

U.S. Department of State, which will provide the

certification service just as it does for similar records

issued by U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
41

To request copies, write to Correspondence Branch,

Passport Services, U.S. Department of State, 1111 19th Street

NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20522-1705. Please include

the following items for birth, death, or marriage:

1. the full name of subject at the time of event;

2. month, day and year of event;

3. place of event (city and country)

4. parents’ names, date and place of birth, and nationality for

birth record;

5. any available U.S. passport information;

6. signature of the requestor, parent or guardian, or legal

representative;

7. requestor address and telephone number;

8. a check or money order for $20.00 and $10.00 for each

additional copy issued at the same time, made payable to

U.S. Department of State. Do not send cash.