West Virginia Vital Records

State Records of Births and Deaths
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records. Because most of the state copies of the records from 1917 to 1921 were destroyed in a fire, it is best to request vital records through 1921 from the county clerk (see below).

The Family History Library has microfilms of:


 * Birth certificates 1852-1930 (FHL films beginning with 1992300)
 * Death certificates 1917-1994
 * Death indexes 1917-1991 (FHL films beginning with film 1984577).

You can also obtain state copies of birth and death records from 1917 to the present for a fee by writing to:

Vital Registration Office Room 165 350 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301-3701 Phone: 304-558-2931 FAX: 304-558-8001

The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed at: www.vitalrec.com

Some births and marriages and all deaths from 1917-1956 are online at: http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx

County Records of Births and Deaths
County birth and death records date from 1853 to the present for most counties. Copies may be obtained from the county clerk. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of all available birth and death records from 1853 to about 1900, and to about 1970 for many counties.

The birth, marriage, and death records from 1853 to 1860 are on ten microfilms (FHL film 034484-93) arranged by county and listed in the Family History Library Catalog under WEST VIRGINIA - VITAL RECORDS. Later records are listed under WEST VIRGINIA, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS.

Marriage Records
West Virginia marriages were recorded by the existing counties as early as 1780. For later counties, marriage records began when each county was organized. Marriage records can be obtained by writing to the county clerk of the county where the marriage took place.

For marriage records from 1853 to 1860 see the ten microfilms described above under birth and death records.

The Family History Library has copies of all available marriage records from 1780 to about 1900 and to about 1970 for some counties.

The state has copies of the county records since 1964 and an index for 1921-1963. Records prior to 1964 are kept at the County Clerk's office where they applied to be married. You may obtain copies from 1964 to the present by writing to the Division of Vital Statistics (address given above).

Divorces
Divorce proceedings are kept by the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted.