Sign InVital Records & Genealogy
Vital records, which are also known as civil registration in some countries, are official documents kept by the government to document the status of an individual. These vital records can include birth certificates, death records, marriage certificates, and divorce records. For genealogists, vital records can shed valuable light on the history of their ancestors. Beyond the name and dates of birth recorded in these documents, vital records can also provide information about parents' names, the number of children in the family, cause of death, socioeconomic status, and even occupation.
Certified, Uncertified and Indexed Vital Records
Certified copies of official vital records contain all information available for the record type, and have a raised seal of authenticity. These records can be used for legal purposes, such as for obtaining passports, or issuing other identification documents. Because of the sensitive nature of certified copies, most states have laws that restrict their access to the individual it belongs to, or the individual's nearest family members. Proof of identification is required.
Uncertified copies of official vital records contain the same information as the certified copies, but do not have a raised seal of certification by the state. They cannot be used for obtaining identification documents like passports, and people besides the corresponding individual and immediate family members may have access to them, depending on the state laws. Because of the growing concerns over identity theft, some states have restricted access to their vital records. However, some official records are less sensitive than others, and most states will generally give the public more access to marriage and divorce records than birth and death certificates.
Indexed vital records are publicly made available and can be accessed online. Like uncertified copies, they do not have a stamped certification by the state, but they can nonetheless provide you with accurate, useful information in your genealogy search. Indexed records may leave out sensitive information, such as social security numbers or any other non-public information, in order to protect the individuals they belong to.
Where to Access Vital Records
Depending upon your state and the type of vital record you are seeking, there are several ways to find the information:
- State Level: For the particular state you are investigating, start with the Department of Health and Vital Records. Most states charge anywhere from $12 to $20 to access these records.
- County Level: If you cannot find the information at the state level, then begin divulging into the county levels, starting with the County Clerk and Recorder. Most of these records can be obtained for $12 to $15.
- Online Resources: To skip all of the bureaucracy of the state and county departments, you can also utilize authoritative online resources that compile municipal, county, and state records into one source. While some are free, the accuracy of this information can be debated. However, by accessing authoritative website such as Archives.com , you can easily research your ancestors right from your home. Additional online resources include OnlineSearches.com and CourtReference.com.
Any History Begins With Vital Records
Whatever the depth of your genealogy research, your use of vital records will broaden and expand your information to make your family genealogy fuller and more interesting. Taking a journey into your past begins with birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Illinois Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Illinois and all Illinois counties. Search through Illinois marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Find marriage and divorce records by state. Search through each state's marriage and divorce vital records to get the documents you need for your genealogical research.
Birth and Death Records
Find birth and death records by state. Search through each state's birth and death vital records to get the documents you need for your genealogical research.
Wyoming Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Wyoming and all Wyoming counties. Search through Wyoming marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Wisconsin Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Wisconsin and all Wisconsin counties. Search through Wisconsin marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
West Virginia Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from West Virginia and all West Virginia counties. Search through West Virginia marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Washington Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Washington and all Washington counties. Search through Washington marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Virginia Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Virginia and all Virginia counties. Search through Virginia marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Vermont Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Vermont and all Vermont counties. Search through Vermont marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Utah Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Utah and all Utah counties. Search through Utah marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Oregon Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Oregon and all Oregon counties. Search through Oregon birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Texas Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Texas and all Texas counties. Search through Texas marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Tennessee Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Tennessee and all Tennessee counties. Search through Tennessee marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
South Dakota Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from South Dakota and all South Dakota counties. Search through South Dakota marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
South Carolina Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from South Carolina and all South Carolina counties. Search through South Carolina marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Rhode Island Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Rhode Island and all Rhode Island counties. Search through Rhode Island marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Pennsylvania Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Pennsylvania and all Pennsylvania counties. Search through Pennsylvania marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Oregon Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Oregon and all Oregon counties. Search through Oregon marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Oklahoma Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Oklahoma and all Oklahoma counties. Search through Oklahoma marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Mississippi Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Mississippi and all Mississippi counties. Search through Mississippi birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Capitol: ColumbusMost Populous City: ColumbusTotal Area: 44,825 sq mi Total Population (2010): 11536504Website: http://www.ohio.govSource: WikipediaThe Office of Vital Statistics maintains only abstracts of marriages, with an index for marriages after 1950 and for divorces after 1954. Certified copies of these Ohio...
North Dakota Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from North Dakota and all North Dakota counties. Search through North Dakota marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
North Carolina Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from North Carolina and all North Carolina counties. Search through North Carolina marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New York Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from New York and all New York counties. Search through New York marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New Mexico Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from New Mexico and all New Mexico counties. Search through New Mexico marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New Jersey Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from New Jersey and all New Jersey counties. Search through New Jersey marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New Hampshire Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from New Hampshire and all New Hampshire counties. Search through New Hampshire marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Nevada Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Nevada and all Nevada counties. Search through Nevada marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Nebraska Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Nebraska and all Nebraska counties. Search through Nebraska marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Montana Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Montana and all Montana counties. Search through Montana marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Missouri Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Missouri and all Missouri counties. Search through Missouri marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Mississippi Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Mississippi and all Mississippi counties. Search through Mississippi marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Minnesota Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Minnesota and all Minnesota counties. Search through Minnesota marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Michigan Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Michigan and all Michigan counties. Search through Michigan marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Massachusetts Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Massachusetts and all Massachusetts counties. Search through Massachusetts marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Wyoming Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Wyoming and all Wyoming counties. Search through Wyoming birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Wisconsin Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Wisconsin and all Wisconsin counties. Search through Wisconsin birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
West Virginia Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from West Virginia and all West Virginia counties. Search through West Virginia birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Washington Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Washington and all Washington counties. Search through Washington birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Maryland Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Maryland and all Maryland counties. Search through Maryland marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Maine Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Maine and all Maine counties. Search through Maine marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Louisiana Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Louisiana and all Louisiana counties. Search through Louisiana marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Kentucky Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Kentucky and all Kentucky counties. Search through Kentucky marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Virginia Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Virginia and all Virginia counties. Search through Virginia birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Kansas Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Kansas and all Kansas counties. Search through Kansas marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Iowa Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Iowa and all Iowa counties. Search through Iowa marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Indiana Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Indiana and all Indiana counties. Search through Indiana marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Vermont Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Vermont and all Vermont counties. Search through Vermont birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Idaho Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Idaho and all Idaho counties. Search through Idaho marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Utah Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Utah and all Utah counties. Search through Utah birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Hawaii Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Hawaii and all Hawaii counties. Search through Hawaii marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Texas Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Texas and all Texas counties. Search through Texas birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Georgia Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Georgia and all Georgia counties. Search through Georgia marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Florida Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Florida and all Florida counties. Search through Florida marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Tennessee Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Tennessee and all Tennessee counties. Search through Tennessee birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Delaware Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Delaware and all Delaware counties. Search through Delaware marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Connecticut Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Connecticut and all Connecticut counties. Search through Connecticut marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Colorado Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Colorado and all Colorado counties. Search through Colorado marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
South Dakota Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from South Dakota and all South Dakota counties. Search through South Dakota birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
California Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from California and all California counties. Search through California marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Arkansas Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Arkansas and all Arkansas counties. Search through Arkansas marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
South Carolina Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from South Carolina and all South Carolina counties. Search through South Carolina birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Arizona Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Arizona and all Arizona counties. Search through Arizona marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Alaska Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Alaska and all Alaska counties. Search through Alaska marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Rhode Island Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Rhode Island and all Rhode Island counties. Search through Rhode Island birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Alabama Marriage & Divorce Vital Records
Find marriage and divorce vital records from Alabama and all Alabama counties. Search through Alabama marriage and divorce records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Pennsylvania Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Pennsylvania and all Pennsylvania counties. Search through Pennsylvania birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Oklahoma Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Oklahoma and all Oklahoma counties. Search through Oklahoma birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Ohio Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Ohio and all Ohio counties. Search through Ohio birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
North Dakota Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from North Dakota and all North Dakota counties. Search through North Dakota birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
North Carolina Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from North Carolina and all North Carolina counties. Search through North Carolina birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New York Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from New York and all New York counties. Search through New York birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New Mexico Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from New Mexico and all New Mexico counties. Search through New Mexico birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New Jersey Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from New Jersey and all New Jersey counties. Search through New Jersey birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
New Hampshire Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from New Hampshire and all New Hampshire counties. Search through New Hampshire birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Nevada Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Nevada and all Nevada counties. Search through Nevada birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Nebraska Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Nebraska and all Nebraska counties. Search through Nebraska birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Montana Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Montana and all Montana counties. Search through Montana birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Missouri Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Missouri and all Missouri counties. Search through Missouri birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Minnesota Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Minnesota and all Minnesota counties. Search through Minnesota birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Michigan Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Michigan and all Michigan counties. Search through Michigan birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Massachusetts Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Massachusetts and all Massachusetts counties. Search through Massachusetts birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Maryland Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Maryland and all Maryland counties. Search through Maryland birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Maine Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Maine and all Maine counties. Search through Maine birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Louisiana Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Louisiana and all Louisiana counties. Search through Louisiana birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Kentucky Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Kentucky and all Kentucky counties. Search through Kentucky birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Kansas Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Kansas and all Kansas counties. Search through Kansas birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Iowa Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Iowa and all Iowa counties. Search through Iowa birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Indiana Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Indiana and all Indiana counties. Search through Indiana birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Illinois Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Illinois and all Illinois counties. Search through Illinois birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Idaho Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Idaho and all Idaho counties. Search through Idaho birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Hawaii Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Hawaii and all Hawaii counties. Search through Hawaii birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Georgia Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Georgia and all Georgia counties. Search through Georgia birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Florida Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Florida and all Florida counties. Search through Florida birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Delaware Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Delaware and all Delaware counties. Search through Delaware birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Connecticut Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Connecticut and all Connecticut counties. Search through Connecticut birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Colorado Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Colorado and all Colorado counties. Search through Colorado birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
California Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from California and all California counties. Search through California birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Arkansas Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Arkansas and all Arkansas counties. Search through Arkansas birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Arizona Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Arizona and all Arizona counties. Search through Arizona birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Alaska Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Alaska and all Alaska counties. Search through Alaska birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Alabama Birth & Death Vital Records
Find birth and death vital records from Alabama and all Alabama counties. Search through Alabama birth and death records and contact your local vital record office to obtain a copy of the record you desire.
Marriage Records & Licenses
As a civil record, a marriage record can provide a genealogist and researcher with valuable data regarding birth dates, birth locations, family names, and even occupations. Most state and county departments have more flexible guidelines regarding releasing marriage records to the public. You may also find indexed marriage records through authoritative online databases.
Divorce Records
Also known as marriage dissolutions, divorce records can significantly help a genealogist or family tree researcher piece together parts of ancestral history. A divorce record sheds light on the age and birth dates of the husband and wife, and it may even outline the terms of the divorce. More importantly, the children of the couple may also be named in the document, which provides further insight into the family lineage. A researcher may access divorce records through
Death Records & Certificates
Genealogists utilize death records as an important part of their research process. While information regarding the date and cause of death can be ascertained, important data on relatives can also be derived from a death record. To find this civil record on your ancestors, visit county or state offices, as well as authoritative indexed resources online.
Birth Records & Certificates
Birth records provide an incredibly valuable tool to genealogists and those tracing their family tree. As a vital record, birth records can shed light on not only the date and location of birth, but provide family information and biological details. Researchers can access official birth records through the state and county offices, as well as online through authoritative indexing resources.
Put the knowledge you're learning to good use by signing up for a free trial
account and begin tracing your family history today.
