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About United States Birth Records

 * Most states began recording births between 1900 and 1930, but they started in different years.
 * New England states started recording births on the town level starting as early as the first residents of the town. New England states consist ofConnecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont,and New Hampshire.
 * Some states began recording births on the county level as early as the 1860s.
 * Restrictions: Births after 1900 often have restrictions on who can see them. Each state has its own laws. One state may have births for some years available to everyone while other states may limit access to relatives.

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

How to Start: Where Did the Birth Occur?
To find a birth record, choose the state the birth occurred:


 * What if you don't know the state? — Go to Estimating Birth Information

Finding United States Birth Records Finding West Virginia Birth Records

Finding West Virginia Birth Records
West Virginia was created in 1863 from Virginia. Statewide registration of births began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.

The current law for the state registration of births in West Virginia is a restriction on births to only immediate family members for births within the last 100 years. However, the counties of West Virginia also recorded birth records, and their records are online up to 1930.

When did the birth occur?
Choose one of the following:


 * Births before 1853
 * Births between 1853 to 1930
 * Births between 1931 to 1969
 * Births after 1969 to the present
 * I don't know when the birth is

Births Before 1853
Before 1853, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Substitutes for birth record information:


 * Church Records: Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.
 * Cemetery Records: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information. These records may also reveal family relationships.
 * Census: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information.
 * Newspapers: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.
 * Military Records: Military pension records may give birth, marriage and death information. In addition, soldiers' homes records may include this same information.

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Births Between 1853 to 1930
In 1863, West Virginia was created a state from Virginia. Earlier in 1853, Virginia passed a law requiring counties to record births although not all counties complied or continued to record them on a consistent basis. Statewide registration of births began in 1917.

For birth records that exist, use the following:

Index and Records


 * 1853-1930 West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930 at West Virginia Division of Culture and History website - free, index and digital version of birth records, not all counties are complete to 1930


 * 1853-1930 at FamilySearch.org - Free, index and digital version of birth records, not all counties are complete to 1930

Can't find your person in the index? Top of Page

Births Between 1931 to 1969
Between 1931 and 1969, It is a two-step process to get the birth certificate.

Step ONE: Find the birth in the Index
Index Only


 * 1853-1969 West Virginia, Births Index, 1853–1969 at Ancestry.com
 * -Ancestry Subscription version - $
 * -Ancestry Library edition - free at FamilySearch Centers and Library

Can't find your person in the index?

Step TWO: Obtain the Certificate
Persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you are one of those listed above, order a copy of the birth certificate from the Vital Registration office.

If you do not know the exact date of death: For a fee, the Vital Registration office will do a 3 year search. Top of Page

Births After 1969
If you know the exact date of birth, you can order a copy of the certificate if you are:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
 * The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
 * The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
 * The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE:A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you are one of those listed above, order a copy of the birth certificate from the Vital Registration office.

If you do not know the exact date of death: For a fee, the Vital Registration office will do a 3 year search.

Substitutes for birth record information:


 * Church Records: Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.
 * Cemetery Records: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information. These records may also reveal family relationships.
 * Census: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information.
 * Newspapers: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.

Top of Page