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West Virginia · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

West Virginia Department of Health, Vital Registration Office (state level - Charleston) / County Clerk (county level - for locally-held records)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: WV birth records restricted (WV is NOT an "open record" state for vital records). Eligible: the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardian, legal representative, and others with documented legal interest. Birth records public after 100 years.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON - WV Vital Registration Office (FASTEST - Charleston):
  4. 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301
  5. Walk-in service at a walk-up counter in the main lobby (right side); same-day service available
  6. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM (busy time: 11:30 AM-1:00 PM, plan for longer wait)
  7. Bring valid photo ID; pay fee of $12 per copy; check or money order ONLY (no cash, no credit/debit cards for mail orders; some in-person options may vary)
  8. Complete birth certificate application
  9. ONLINE - VitalChek (authorized third-party vendor):
  10. Order through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by calling VitalChek; $12 state fee + VitalChek processing fee; faster than mail; credit card accepted through VitalChek
  11. BY MAIL - WV Vital Registration Office:
  12. Complete application (available at dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/VR/CR); include color photocopy of valid photo ID; check or money order payable to "Vital Registration"; mail to: Vital Registration, Room 165, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301-3701; $12 per certified copy; NO debit/credit cards by mail; mail processing takes longer
  13. LOCAL COUNTY CLERK: Some county Clerks (Jefferson County: $5/copy) maintain local vital records; check with your specific county Clerk; local county records may predate state records
  14. Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship
  15. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application
  • Color photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting for another person
  • Payment: check or money order (mail); various options for in-person and VitalChek
Fee
$12 per certified copy (nonrefundable search fee, includes one certified copy if record found); each additional 3-year search period if not found: $12; VitalChek adds processing fee on top
Processing Time
In-person (Charleston): same day; VitalChek: faster than mail; mail: several weeks
Online Option
VitalChek only (authorized); WV DOH does NOT have its own direct online ordering system
Where to Go
WV Vital Registration Office (Charleston - walk-in, fastest); VitalChek (online); mail; some County Clerks for local records
County-specific variations apply

West Virginia County Clerks maintain some local vital records, especially older ones. Jefferson County Clerk has records dating to 1853 for births/deaths, 1801 for marriages. County Clerk copies are typically $5. State office has records from approximately 1917.

West Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

  • $12 fee (effective July 1, 2023 - increased from previous rate).
  • NO DIRECT ONLINE ORDERING at WV state website - use VitalChek for online orders.
  • NO CASH for mail orders; NO credit/debit by mail - check or money order ONLY for mail.
  • WV is NOT an "open record" state for vital records.
  • Birth records public after 100 years; death/marriage after 50 years.
  • Heirloom birth certificates also available; contact WV Vital Registration for details.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
WV Department of Health, Vital Registration - dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/VR | (304) 558-2931 | 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301-3701; VitalChek (authorized): vitalchek.com