West Virginia Birth Records

West Virginia began recording births at the county level as early as 1853. However, statewide registration that centralized access to birth records began in 1917. West Virginia birth records are the official legal documents that validate the birth of an individual within the state. Birth records in West Virginia are issued as:

• Authorized Copies: Authorized copies of a West Virginia birth certificate are the original, certified true copy of the birth record. Usually, they have the official seal of the issuing office and are valid for all legal use. The authorized copy of a birth certificate, also called the certified copy, is typically issued as the long-form or short-form birth certificate in West Virginia.
• Long-Form Birth Certificate: This is a detailed certificate of a live birth containing comprehensive information from the original birth record. It is a comprehensive document and includes the full name of the individual, date and place of birth, names of both parents, parents' birthplace, the facility of birth, and the attending physician's information. It also includes information about the document's legitimacy, such as the date the certificate was filed, the state file number, the signature of the state registrar, and the official state seal. The long-form birth certificate is required for all official processes where birth identification is required.
• Short-Form Birth Certificate: The short-form birth certificate is a condensed, abstract version of the birth record. Generally, the short-form birth record includes basic information about the record holder, such as full names, gender, and date of birth. It omits detailed information, such as the parents' birthplace and the attending physician's information. The short-form birth certificate may not be acceptable for all official purposes, and is ideal for use where informal proof of identity or age is required.
• Informational Copies: The informational copies of birth certificates are uncertified copies of the birth record, typically marked "Informational". It contains detailed information about the registrant; however, it is printed on plain paper and usually watermarked as not valid for official use. To this end, informational copies of birth records are not accepted for legal identification or government transactions and are best suited for genealogy research, personal records, or family history.

How to Order a West Virginia Birth Certificate?

The West Virginia Health and Human Resources Bureau of Public Health Vital Registration Office makes available certified copies of West Virginia birth certificates issued from 1917 to the present. Persons eligible to obtain the document may do so by mail, in person, or online. Online requests for birth certificates are through an independent service provider, which charges an extra fee for processing and shipping.

Persons ordering the birth certificate by mail or in person may download and complete the Application for Certified Copy of West Virginia Birth Certificate form. If ineligible to order the document under state law, include the Permission Slip form with the record request.

Generally, all requests for birth certificates in West Virginia may include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. Certified copies of West Virginia birth certificates cost $12 per copy, with additional copies charged at the same rate. Visit the state office to submit the request, or mail the documents to:

For births before 1917, you may access the birth certificate at the county clerk's office where the live birth was reported or at the West Virginia Archives and History.

Are Birth Records Public in West Virginia?

Under West Virginia law, birth records are confidential records closed to the public for a predetermined period set by state law. During that period, the general public cannot view or obtain copies of the birth certificate; only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in West Virginia?

Per state law, only persons with a direct, legal, or familial relationship with the record holder may order certified copies of a birth certificate. In West Virginia, these individuals include:

• The registrant named on the birth certificate
• The parents listed on the birth record
• Immediate family members, including spouse, children, siblings, or grandparents
• Legal representatives
• Others with direct and tangible interest, such as insurers or the court

How Long Does it Take to Get A West Virginia Birth Certificate?

The standard processing time for mail orders for birth certificates through the West Virginia Vital Registration Office is 5-15 business days. The office does not offer expedited processing for mail requests. However, for faster service, you may walk into the office in Charleston to order the document. The office provides same-day issuance for birth certificates.

Online orders are typically processed within 1-2 weeks after the agency receives the order. Online requests offer expedited processing. However, the timeline for delivery depends on the courier choice.

Where Can I Find West Virginia Birth Records Free?

Although certified copies of West Virginia birth certificates are restricted to authorized individuals, persons eligible to obtain the document from governmental sources may use other resources to view and obtain informational copies of birth records from the state at no cost.

The National Vital Records Archives, although not a repository for birth records, provides a "Where to Write for Vital Records" portal that lists contact information for every state's vital records office. For West Virginia, it points users to the county recorder's list of births from 1853 to 1916 and the State Vital Registration for births from 1917 to the present.

FamilySearch.org provides searchable indexes and, where digitized, the original image of birth records from counties across West Virginia from 1853 to 1930. The platform also houses West Virginia births and christening records, including baptismal registers and supplementary early civil records from 1853 to 1928.

Ancestry.com is a genealogy website that offers free access to searchable indexes and original image access to county registers of birth from 1853 to 1875. In addition, record seekers may view statewide birth indexes extracted from multiple sources from 1804 to 1938.

PublicRecords.us, a reputable third-party platform, aggregates data from multiple government resources to provide access to birth records across the U.S., including West Virginia birth records. The platform offers free access to basic birth information, such as a child's name and date, and county of birth. PublicRecords.us is ideal for starting your research for both old and current birth records.

When Would I Need My West Virginia Birth Records?

A certified West Virginia birth certificate is the primary document that proves your U.S. citizenship, identity, and age. There, you will need to present the document for various personal, legal, and governmental processes, including:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining a driver's license and a state-issued ID
• Obtaining a marriage license
• Determining employment suitability
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, or universities
• Enlisting in the U.S Armed Forces
• Obtaining or replacing your Social Security card
• Claiming insurance and tax benefits
• Processing veterans' benefit claims
• Changing your legal name
• Proving lineage for inheritance claims
• Establishing parental rights during custody

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in West Virginia?

If your birth certificate is missing, becomes illegible, torn, or stolen, you may need a replacement birth certificate. Replacing birth certificates follows the same process as ordering a certified copy.

To replace the document, complete the Application for Certified Copy of West Virginia Birth Certificate form. Include a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees with the application form. Mail the replacement birth certificate request to the West Virginia Vital Registration Office or in person at the Charleston office. It costs $12 to replace your birth certificate in West Virginia.

When Can the Public Access West Virginia Birth Certificates?

West Virginia birth records are confidential vital records for the first 100 years from the birth date. During the confidentiality period, only eligible persons may access certified copies of the birth certificate. After the mandatory confidentiality period elapses, the birth record becomes a public record, available to anyone to view and obtain informational copies.

How To Correct an Error on a West Virginia Birth Certificate?

You may correct the following errors on your West Virginia birth certificate:

• Misspelled names
• Incorrect dates
• Wrong place names
• Additions and omissions in middle names or titles, and parent information

To amend your birth certificate, download and complete the Affidavit to Correct Birth Record form for adults and the Affidavit to Correct Birth Certificate of Minor for children. Detail the incorrect information on the form and specify the accurate data. Include documents that support the correct information, such as a state-issued ID, court orders, or hospital records. Notarize the application form and include the fees. It costs $10 to amend a birth certificate issued after one year. The fee is waived if the birth certificate is issued within one year. Mail the correction request to the West Virginia Vital Registration Office.

Does West Virginia Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

West Virginia does not offer a non-binary "X" option on birth certificates; only the binary markers "Male" and "Female" are permitted. The state position is codified in House Bill 4233, which explicitly prohibits the term "non-binary" on birth certificates. While the state permits changing birth markers on birth certificates, it only permits changing from male to female or vice versa. Therefore, there is no legal framework supporting individuals to amend their birth certificates to reflect the "X" gender marker.