Introduction to Virginia Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Virginia birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Virginia birth certificates have been maintained by the Virginia Division of Vital Records and Health Statistic for individuals born in the state of Virginia, between 1853 to 1896 and every birth certificate since 1912.  Only the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond have records between 1896 and June 14, 1912.

Virginia Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Virginia state law, Virginia birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Virginia Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Virginia Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Virginia Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Virginia Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Virginia Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Virginia birth certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Virginia Birth Certificate

Virginia Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Virginia Birth Certificate, 100 years or later from the date of the birth for genealogy or other reasons.

Virginia Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Virginia Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Virginia Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Virginia Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Virginia Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Virginia birth certificate online.  It usually takes 10-15 days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Virginia birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Virginia birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Virginia birth certificate
• Sex on the Virginia birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Virginia birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Virginia birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Virginia birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Virginia birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Virginia birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Division of Vital Records

P. O. Box 1000

Richmond, VA 23218-1000

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Virginia: You may go to any county health department in the State of Virginia to obtain a certified copy of a Virginia birth certificate. Most Virginia birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Virginia Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Virginia birth certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the Virginia birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Virginia birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Virginia State Health Department." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.