User:Batsondl/Sandbox Strategy 3

Finding United States Births West Virginia Births

= Finding West Virginia Birth Records =

West Virginia was created in 1863 from Virginia. Statewide registration of births began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births before 1853
 * Births between 1853 and 1912
 * Births between 1913 and 1969
 * Births after 1969 to the present
 * I don't know when the birth is


 * }

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births Before 1853
Before 1853, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place. Substitutes for birth record information:

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births Between 1853 and 1912
In 1863, West Virginia was created a state from Virginia. Earlier in 1853, Virginia passed a law requiring counties to record births although not all counties complied or continued to record them on a consistent basis. Statewide registration of births began in 1917. From 1853-1879, about 15% of the births were recorded; from 1880-1920, coverage increased to about 65%. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Index and Images

Try First:


 * 1853-1930 at FamilySearch - Free; index and digital version of birth records; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of county coverage (right side of the screen); collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image

Try Second:


 * 1853-1930 West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930 at West Virginia Division of Culture and History website - free; index and digital version of birth records; most counties go to 1930: list of county coverage (right side of the screen); collection also contains delayed birth records

Can't find your person in the index?

Return to top: Choose another birth year
 * Tips for searching indexes
 * Other records with birth information

Births Between 1913 and 1969
If your ancestor was born in the following counties, use the database listed below:


 * Calhoun County - records online to 1937
 * Gilmer County - records online to 1937
 * Hardy County - records online to 1937
 * Harrison County - records online to 1928
 * Mineral County - records online to 1937
 * Pendleton County -records online to 1930


 * 1853-1930 at FamilySearch.org - Free; index and digital version of birth records; not all counties are complete to 1930: list of county coverage (right side of the screen); collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image

If your county is not covered in the above counties, use the following two-step process to obtain the birth record:

STEP ONE: Find the birth in the Index
Search for the birth in the following index:

Index Only


 * 1853-1969 West Virginia, Births Index, 1853–1969 at Ancestry.com
 * -Ancestry Subscription version - $
 * -Ancestry Library edition - free at FamilySearch Centers and Library

Can't find your person in the index?


 * Tips for searching indexes
 * Other records with birth information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
Most of the birth recorded during this time are NOT online and must be obtained from the West Virginia Vital Records office using the information you found in the index.

Use the following guidelines to order the birth:

Persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:


 * 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 of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you are one of those listed above, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee 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. Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births 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 of the person on the certificate
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE:A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

If you are one of those listed above, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee 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.

Return to top: Choose another birth year
 * Other records with birth information

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records