West Virginia ranks 14th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#10of 51
Speed#26 (tie)of 51
Ease of ordering#16of 51
Birth certificates #12 of 51
Cost
$12 first copy, $12 each extra copy
Processing time
In person: same day, about 15 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
Not published
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1917
Marriage records #8 of 51
Cost
$12 first copy, $12 each extra copy
Processing time
In person: same day, about 15 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
Not published
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1964; also from the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by county
Processing time
Varies by county
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by county
Where to order
County only: the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Records available
State divorce index from 1967 (index only); certified copies from the Circuit Clerk
Death certificates #12 of 51
Cost
$12 first copy, $12 each extra copy
Processing time
In person: same day, about 15 minutes
Time until the copy is in hand
Not published
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1917
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order West Virginia birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a West Virginia birth certificate?
A certified West Virginia birth certificate costs $12 per copy from the state Vital Registration Office in Charleston. The fastest way is in person, with same-day service in about 15 minutes. You can also order by mail or online through VitalChek, which adds its own fee.
West Virginia birth records: ordering details
Who can order
You (18 or older, or an emancipated minor with a court order), your parents or grandparents, adult children or grandchildren, adult siblings, spouse, or a legal guardian or representative (with proof). A third party can pick up a copy at the walk-in office with a faxed birth permission slip. Birth records open to the public after 100 years.
Fee
$12 per copy, including additional copies. The fee includes a nonrefundable search of the year you give plus the year before and after; extra searches are $12 per three-year period. Cards are accepted only at the walk-up counter, with a 4% surcharge. Online orders go through third-party vendors such as VitalChek, which charge their own fees; the state receives $12 per copy.
How to order
In person: Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston (walk-up counter on the right side of the main lobby). Same-day service; allow at least 15 minutes, longer from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pay by cash, check, money order or card. Filling out the form in advance shortens the wait. By mail: send the Application for Certified Copy of West Virginia Birth Certificate, a color copy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to “Vital Registration” to Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301-3701 (304-558-2931). Online:VitalChek or another third-party vendor; contact the vendor about order problems.
ID needed
One of: a state driver’s license (can be expired), a U.S. or foreign passport, a military ID, or a photo ID card from a government program. Or two of: a major credit card, a vehicle registration card, a state social services program card, or a recent utility bill in your name. Exceptions may be made case by case. Include proof of relationship if the certificate isn’t your own.
Processing time
In person: same day, usually within about 15 minutes. Mail and online: not published.
Older and local records
The state has birth records from 1917, plus delayed birth records filed for births from around 1850. For births before 1917, check with the county clerk in the county of birth first. The WV Archives and History Library also holds county birth records.
Tip: If you can get to Charleston, go in person. It’s the only option with a posted turnaround, and most requests take under 15 minutes.
A certified West Virginia death certificate costs $12 per copy from the state Vital Registration Office in Charleston, which has deaths from 1917 on. Walk in for same-day service, or order by mail or online through VitalChek.
West Virginia death records: ordering details
Who can order
The informant listed on the death certificate, parents or grandparents, adult children or grandchildren, adult siblings, the spouse, or a legal representative (with proof). Death records open to the public after 50 years.
Fee
$12 per copy, including additional copies. The fee includes a nonrefundable search of the year you give plus the year before and after; extra searches are $12 per three-year period. Cards are accepted only at the walk-up counter, with a 4% surcharge. Online orders go through third-party vendors such as VitalChek, which charge their own fees; the state receives $12 per copy.
How to order
In person: Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston (walk-up counter on the right side of the main lobby). Same-day service; allow at least 15 minutes, longer from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pay by cash, check, money order or card. Filling out the form in advance shortens the wait. By mail: send the Application for Copy of West Virginia Death Certificate, a color copy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to “Vital Registration” to Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301-3701 (304-558-2931). Online:VitalChek or another third-party vendor; contact the vendor about order problems.
ID needed
One of: a state driver’s license (can be expired), a U.S. or foreign passport, a military ID, or a photo ID card from a government program. Or two of: a major credit card, a vehicle registration card, a state social services program card, or a recent utility bill in your name. Exceptions may be made case by case. Include proof of relationship if the certificate isn’t your own.
Processing time
In person: same day, usually within about 15 minutes. Mail and online: not published.
Older and local records
The state has deaths from January 1917. For earlier deaths, contact the county clerk in the county where the death occurred, or the WV Archives and History Library.
Tip: Give the most exact date you can. The $12 fee covers a three-year search, and each extra three-year search costs another $12.
How do I get a West Virginia marriage certificate?
The state Vital Registration Office issues certified West Virginia marriage certificates for marriages from 1964 on, for $12 per copy. For earlier marriages, or as an alternative, contact the county clerk in the county where the license was issued.
West Virginia marriage records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
The state issues certified marriage certificates from 1964 and keeps marriage indexes from 1924. County clerks keep the license records for their county.
Who can order
The people named on the certificate, adult children of the marriage, or a legal representative (with proof). A third party can pick up a copy at the walk-in office with a faxed marriage permission slip. Marriage records open to the public after 50 years.
Fee
State: $12 per copy, including additional copies. The fee includes a nonrefundable search of the year you give plus the year before and after; extra searches are $12 per three-year period. Cards are accepted only at the walk-up counter, with a 4% surcharge. Online orders go through third-party vendors such as VitalChek, which charge their own fees; the state receives $12 per copy. County clerk copies: fees vary by county.
How to order
State (1964 on):In person: Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston (walk-up counter on the right side of the main lobby). Same-day service; allow at least 15 minutes, longer from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pay by cash, check, money order or card. Filling out the form in advance shortens the wait. By mail: send the Application for Certified Marriage Certificate, a color copy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to “Vital Registration” to Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301-3701 (304-558-2931). Online:VitalChek or another third-party vendor; contact the vendor about order problems. County: the county clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued.
ID needed
One of: a state driver’s license (can be expired), a U.S. or foreign passport, a military ID, or a photo ID card from a government program. Or two of: a major credit card, a vehicle registration card, a state social services program card, or a recent utility bill in your name. Exceptions may be made case by case. Include proof of relationship if the certificate isn’t your own.
Processing time
State: In person: same day, usually within about 15 minutes. Mail and online: not published. County clerks: contact the office.
Older records
For marriages before 1964, contact the county clerk in the county where the license was issued. The state’s marriage indexes start in 1924.
Tip: Married before 1964? Skip the state office and go straight to the county clerk where you got the license.
West Virginia divorce records are held by the counties. For a certified copy of the divorce order, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The state Vital Registration Office keeps divorce indexes only and does not issue certified divorce copies.
West Virginia divorce records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
Certified copies of divorce orders come from the circuit clerk. The state keeps divorce indexes from 1967 but does not issue certified copies.
Who can order
Set by the circuit clerk; contact the office.
Fee
Varies by county; contact the circuit clerk.
How to order
Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Ask how they take requests (in person, by mail or otherwise).
ID needed
Varies by county; contact the circuit clerk.
Processing time
Varies by county; contact the circuit clerk.
Older records
Contact the circuit clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. The WV Archives and History Library also holds county court documents.
Tip: Know the county where the divorce was granted before you call. Each circuit clerk only has its own county’s cases.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other West Virginia records people search for
Official West Virginia sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official West Virginia sites for other records
Court case lookup
WV Judiciary There is no public statewide case search; records are kept by each circuit clerk.
Inmate search
Offender Search West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About West Virginia public records
Certificate Information
The Health Statistics Center in Charleston West Virginia is responsible for archiving and issuing vital records for the state.
Searches by mail or in person cost $12 dollars and include one certified copy. Additional searches incase of no results are $12
dollars each for a three year period. Phone, internet and fax orders are all run through the VitalChek system and cost a minimum
of $30 dollars plus shipping, with additional fees for rush orders.
Health Statistics Center
Room 165, 350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Telephone: (304) 558-9100
Fax: (304) 558-1787
Birth and death records are available from the state department from 1917 to present while marriage records date back to 1964
to present. Older records and divorce records can be obtained from the Clerk of Court from the county where the record was
originally filed.
The West Virginia also maintains a vital records database available to the public for geneological searches.
Non-identifying information is available to adult aged (18) adoptees, their guardians or legal kin of a deceased adoptee. Only
a court order may allow a person to open sealed adoption records and original birth certificates.
West Virginia Mutual Consent Registry
Office of Social Services
350 Capitol Street Room 691
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.558.2891
Property Records
Property information is handled by many of the departments in the county government. The sheriff's department handle tax information,
the auditor provide tax valuation and gis department provides maps.
