Talk:How to Find West Virginia Death Records

In West Virginia, counties recorded deaths from 1853 through 1916, and the state has recorded deaths from 1917 to the present.

Online West Virginia death records


 * 1853-1960s - West Virginia Division of Culture and History

Deaths before 1853
Before 1853, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1960
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

Restrictions for persons born who died within the last 50 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:


 * 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
 * Funeral director
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

'''If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another death year

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