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Finding West Virginia Birth Records

There are many restrictions to making births available in the 1900s because of privacy laws in each state. One state may have some available to the public and some may have limited access to living relatives.

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.

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:


 * Born before 1863 – go to: Births before 1863
 * Between 1863 to 1930 – go to: Births between 1863 to 1930
 * Between 1931 to 1969 – go to: Births between 1931 to 1969
 * Between 1969 to the present – go to: Births between 1969 to the present
 * I don't know – go to: Estimating birth information

West Virginia became a state in 1863. Before 1863, it was a part of Virginia. Virginia began recording births on the county level starting in 1852. Not every birth was registered in each county leaving gaps in the records. Before 1852, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Before 1853
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. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.
 * 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 can give birth, marriage and death information. In addition, soldiers' homes records can include this same information.

Between 1853 to 1863
Not all births were recorded for every county. For those that exist, there is a free online index and digital images of birth records that were recorded on FamilySearch.org:West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930

Another version of this index is on the West Virginia Division of Culture and History website.

TIPS: If you can’t find your individual, try the following:


 * 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.
 * If you did not get results, type in less information about the person. Try only search for the first and last name of the person.
 * If you have too many hits, try adding information including approximate birth date and the county.
 * Try a different index. Different indexes use different search parameters and your ancestor may be located in one but not the other.

Between 1863 to 1930
Index and certificates available

There is a free online index and digital images of birth records on FamilySearch.org:

Another version of this index is on the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

TIPS: If you can’t find your individual, try the following:


 * 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.
 * If you did not get results, type in less information about the person. Try only search for the first and last name of the person.
 * If you have too many hits, try adding information including approximate birth date and the county
 * Try a different index. Different indexes use different search parameters and your ancestor may be located in one but not the other.

Step ONE: Find the birth in the Index
An online birth index from 1931 to 1969 is available on the subscription database, Ancestry.com. This subscription is free for Family History Centers: West Virginia, Births Index, 1853–1969

TIPS: If you can’t find your individual, try the following:


 * If you did not get results, type in less information about the person. Try only search for the first and last name of the person.
 * If you have too many hits, try adding information including approximate birth date and the county

Step TWO: Obtain the Certificate
If you find a match for your individual in the index and the birth is less than 100 years old, you can order a copy of the certificate from the state of West Virginia, 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
 * Anyone who has Legal interest in the Certificate

A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone else until after 100 years from the date of the birth.

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
 * Anyone who has Legal interest in the Certificate

A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone else until after 100 years from the date of the birth.

To 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. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.
 * 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 can give birth, marriage and death information. In addition, soldiers' homes records can include this same information.