Introduction to West Virginia Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a West 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.  

West Virginia birth certificates have been maintained by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for individuals born in the state of West Virginia since 1917. 

West Virginia Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

West Virginia Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

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

West Virginia Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order West Virginia Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your West Virginia Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your West 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 West Virginia Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your West Virginia birth certificate online.  It usually takes 5-19 business 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 West Virginia birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the West Virginia birth certificate
• Date of birth on the West Virginia birth certificate
• Sex on the West Virginia birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the West Virginia birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the West Virginia birth certificate
• Full name of father on the West Virginia birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose West Virginia birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the West 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:

 

West Virginia Vital Registration

Room 165

350 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301-3701

Option 3 – In Person

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

West Virginia Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

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