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Guides for
Guide: Requesting Vital Records
When requesting vital records information from various federal, state, or local agencies, you should be careful to follow these guidelines. The quality and completeness of the information provided will ensure the best possibility of a favorable response.
General Guidelines
Processing
Requesting vital records, especially by mail, can be a long process. You should be prepared to wait many weeks (typically 6-8) for the information. Most local agencies are required to provide vital record information but don't have dedicated resources to the task. A little understanding to this fact will help when dealing with these state and town employees.
Fees
Most agencies charge fees for processing vital records requests. Check with the local agency for their fee structure. You may submit a blank check with your request if you are not sure of the exact cost of your request.
Identification
Some agencies require a photo identification of the applicant. Check with the agency to ensure that you do or do not require a photo id with your forms.
Birth Records
Most agencies will only provide a birth certificate to the person or the parents of the person on the certificate.
The following information is typically needed to file for a birth certificate:
- Full name as it appears on the birth certificate
- Date of birth
- Town, city or village where the birth occurred
- Father's name
- Mother's first and maiden name
- Your relationship to the person named on the birth certificate
Death Records
Most agencies will only provide a death certificate to a family member of the person on the certificate.
The following information is typically needed to file for a death certificate:
- Full name as it appears on the death certificate
- Date of death
- Town, city or village where the death occurred
- Reason for requesting the certificate
- Your relationship to the person named on the death certificate
Marriage Certificate
Many agencies will only provide a marriage certificate to the bride or groom.
The following information is typically needed to file for a marriage certificate:
- Husband's first and last name
- Wife's first and maiden name
- Town, city or village where the marriage occurred
- Date of Marriage
- Reason for requesting the certificate
- Your relationship to the person(s) named on the certificate
Divorce Certificate
The following information is typically needed to file for a divorce certificate:
- Husband's first and last name
- Wife's first and maiden name
- Date of divorce/dissolution
- Town, city or village where divorce/dissolution occurred
- Reason for requesting the certificate
- Your relationship to the person(s) named on the certificate
For information on contacting the local agencies, check the regional guides for the United States..
Websites for Vital Records
Vital Records (General Resources)
Genealogy FindsFree genealogy database of scanned and transcribed documents containing ancestor's names
http://genealogyfinds.com/
Yorkshire and Tasmania Birth, Deaths and Marriage Recordssheffield birth, death and marriage records, tasmania birth death and marriage records genealogy records for both, convicts, census, pioneers, wills and more
http://www.webspawner.com/users/angel7025/index.html
Awesome GenealogySearch vital records for your family, including census images, birth records, marriage records and death records. Free offers and tips on genealogy.
http://www.awesomegenealogy.com
Before the Needles: Executions in America Before Lethal InjectionThe following is a detailed State by State listing of 14,490 executions that occurred under civil authority in the United States or within territory that later became the United States. From George Kendal being shot for espionage in Virginia (1608) until Gary Gilmore met his maker for murder in Utah (1977), it includes (when known) the convict's name, age, race, sex, occupation, crime, date of execution, method of execution and whether it was a single or multiple execution.
http://users.bestweb.net/~rg/execution.htm
CCR: Colonial Connecticut Records 1636-1776Colonial Connecticut Records is the digital version of the printed volumes of the Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut.
http://www.colonialct.uconn.edu/default.cfm
Charlestown, Sullivan County, NH Family Historieshttp://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nh/sullivan/charlestown.htm
Church RecordsRootsWeb presents Church Records. Searchable database contains records of baptisms, marriages, deaths plus a whole lot more!
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/churchrecords/
City DirectoriesRootsWeb presents City Directories. Searchable database contains over 25,000 names.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/citydir/
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the InternetMore than 126,450 links! 118,200 links, categorized & cross-referenced, in over 150 categories. Another 8,200+ uncategorized new links in the works.
http://www.cyndislist.com
Death RecordsRootsWeb presents Death Records Database. Searchable database of user-contributed data.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/deaths/
Deed RecordsRootsWeb presents a searchable database of Passenger Lists and Related Data for passengers sailing to or from the United States.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/deeds/
Discover Your AncestorsFor ordering English and Welsh Vital Records (birth, marriage and death certificates).
http://www.discoveryourancestors.com
Divorce RecordsRootsWeb presents Marriage Records. Searchable database contains over 25,000 names.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/divorces/
Early Birth RecordsRootsWeb presents Early Birth Records. Searchable database.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/births/
inGeneas Canadian GenealogyWe're inGeneas and we want to help you find your Canadian roots! Search one of our on-line databases -- including the only electronic version of the National Archives of Canada Miscellaneous Immigration Index and the inGeneas Passenger List and Immigration databases -- or request a free, no obligation, customized inGeneas research plan.
http://www.ingeneas.com/index.html
Land RecordsRootsWeb presents Land Records (deeds, grants, GLO, BLM). Searchable database.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/landrecords/
Mortality SchedulesRootsWeb presents Mortality Schedules. Searchable database.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/mortality/
National Archives and Records Administration Home PageNational Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA is an independent Federal agency that helps preserve our nation's history by overseeing the management of all Federal records. Our mission is to ensure ready access to the essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of Federal officials, and the national experience. We must make it easy for citizens to access this essential evidence regardless of the location of the documentation or of the people using it. We hope that by providing electronic public access to more and more of our records and services, we will better meet your information needs.
http://www.nara.gov/
Naturalizations - Rockland Co., NY 1812 - 1996RootsWeb presents Naturalization records recorded at Rockland Co., NY between 18XX and 19XX. Searchable database contains over 24,000 names and includes source citations and place of origin for all persons listed.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/naturalization/
NCHS - How to Obtain Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce CertificatesNational Center for Health Statistics information on locating vital records.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm
Old Directory SearchA free collection of digitally scanned old city directories.
http://olddirectorysearch.com/
Sassytazzys Genealogy Research -- Online Genealogy RecordsOnline transcriptions, extracts & images of bible, cemetery, census, court, military, religious & vital records; letters, documents, manuscripts, research notes, etc.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~sassytazzy/index.html
Scituate, MA, Births Marriages & Deathshttp://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/source_files/scituate_ma_vr.htm
Search vital birth, church, death, and marriage records onlineVital genealogical records such as church and marriage records, birth certificates, cemetery and death records all online for easy research
http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/main.htm
Tax and Voter ListsRootsWeb presents searchable Tax and Voter Lists.
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/tax_voter/
The National ArchivistDigital images of original registers, entry books and indexes, reproduced under license from The National Archives. . Estate Duty Office Indexes to Death Duty Registers 1796 to 1903 . Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths at Sea 1854 to 1890 . Index to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes 1858 to 1903
http://www.nationalarchivist.com
US Genealogy Research StationGenealogy In US census records, Texas death records, Texas census records & US birth records.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Birth Certificates
Learn how to obtain birth certificates from any state.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
BMD Project
Birth, marriage and death records submitted by you, our readers. We are especially hoping that readers will submit data from family Bibles, church records, and other sources that aren't readily available as public records. At present the database contains marriage data for North Carolina and Virginia. The other record categories and additional states will be added soon.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Early Birth Records
RootsWeb presents Early Birth Records. Searchable database.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
USGenWeb Archives: Ohio Births, Deaths, and Marraiges
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
BMD Project
Birth, marriage and death records submitted by you, our readers. We are especially hoping that readers will submit data from family Bibles, church records, and other sources that aren't readily available as public records. At present the database contains marriage data for North Carolina and Virginia. The other record categories and additional states will be added soon.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Online Searchable Death Indexes & Records
Directory of online death indexes listed by state and county.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Divorce Records
RootsWeb presents Marriage Records. Searchable database contains over 25,000 names.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
BMD Project
Birth, marriage and death records submitted by you, our readers. We are especially hoping that readers will submit data from family Bibles, church records, and other sources that aren't readily available as public records. At present the database contains marriage data for North Carolina and Virginia. The other record categories and additional states will be added soon.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Marriage Records
RootsWeb presents Marriage Records. Searchable database contains over 25,000 names.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Marriage Records
How to obtain marriage certificates for any state in the United States, including links to other marriage records sites.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
USGenWeb Archives: Ohio Births, Deaths, and Marraiges
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
4Obituaries
A guide to obituaries from 4anything.com - Search newspaper obituary listings, read noteworthy epitaphs or add an entry to one of the many online memorial services.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
An Obituary Links Page
Thousands of links to online obituaries, marriage, birth, and death records, mortality schedules, cemetery inscriptions, etc., arranged by state, county, or Canadian province.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Arrangements
Obituaries are posted for 30 days by participating funeral homes. After 30 days obituaries are archived.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Canadian Obituary Links Page
Links to Canadian obituary sources (and other vitals), arranged by province.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Cemetery Junction: Obituaries Directory
Links to regional newspapers and a variety of other online resources.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Cyndi's List - Obituaries
Category Index: General Resource Sites and Locality or Topic Specific.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
E-Obit.com
Showing respect and honoring the deceased is an integral part of our social fabric. Remembering what made a person's life touch their family, friends, business and social contacts.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Family Surname Obituary Archives
Links to surname-specific obituary archives across the web.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Free Obituaries Online
A collection of links to obituaries on the web.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Global Cemetery Online
Cemetery listings, general genealogical information and memorials.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Goodbye! The Journal of Contemporary Obituaries
An archive of celebrity obituaries and memorials.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Internet Obituary Network
An archive of contributed obituaries and memorials.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Legacy.com ObitFinder
Search engine enabling users to locate recent online obituaries in more than 1,000 U.S. newspapers. Users may search by name, city, school, or club affiliation and more.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Memorial Center
The place for those who wish to create a memorial for their loved ones online. This is a free service.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituaries
RootsWeb presents Obituary Indexes. Searchable database.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituaries and Death Notices
From the Owingsville Outlook and The Bath County News in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituaries for Genealogical Research
Searchable compilation of approximately 10,000 obituaries for the United States.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituary Central
The headquarters for finding obituaries on the web.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituary Central
Contains search engines of obituary archives. Other sections include a cemetery search and a ship search.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituary Daily Times
Mailing list index of published obituaries across the world. Intended mostly for family historians, researchers and compilers.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituary Page
Birth and Death dates and brief description of Famous people who died recently.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Obituary Registry
A searchable, national database of current and archived death notices and obituaries. Thousands of current records added daily.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
OKbits
Oklahoma obituaries past and recent.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
The Boston Public Library Obituary Database
A database of obituaries from the Boston Public Library.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
The Obituary Link Page
Hundreds of links to current and archived obituaries arranged by surname, state, and county
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Vermont Obituary Links
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Wulkan's Online Obituaries
An archive of contributed obituaries and memorials.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
1813 Invalid Pensioners
1813 U.S. Pensioners
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
1883 Pensioners Online
Links to 1883 Pensioners on the roll
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Our Social Security Death Index database allows easy ancestry research
Research your ancestry with the most powerful Social Security Death Index (SSDI) online, created from the Social Security Administrations (SSA) Death Master File
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Social Security Death Index
Perform a search from the massive SSDI database.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
Social Security Death Index
Search the Social Security Death Index online, and learn how to obtain copies of archived SS-5 forms.
http://usgenealogyresearchstation.com
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