Search West Virginia Vital Records

Vital records in West Virginia — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by West Virginia DHHR Vital Registration Office. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the County Clerk.

What this page covers: West Virginia vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).

Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact West Virginia DHHR Vital Registration Office. For marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.

Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.