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.
- 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:
- Full name of person whose record is being requested.
- Sex.
- Parents' names, including maiden name of mother.
- Month, day, and year of birth or death.
- Place of birth or death (city or town, county, and State; and name of hospital, if known).
- Purpose for which copy is needed.
- Relationship to person whose record is being requested.
- Give the following facts when writing for marriage records:
- Full names of bride and groom.
- Month, day, and year of marriage
- Place of marriage (city or town, county, and State).
- Purpose for which copy is needed.
- Relationship to persons whose record is being requested.
- Give the following facts when writing for divorce records:
- Full names of husband and wife.
- Date of divorce or annulment.
- Place of divorce or annulment.
- Type of final decree.
- Purpose for which copy is needed.
- Relationship to persons whose record is being requested.
