Virginia vital records
The Office of Vital Records is the vital records office for Virginia.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and divorce records12. Local offices also issue certified copies.3
On this page
Current notices from the office
- On Nov. 6, 2026 the portal was processing online applications submitted 11/03/2026; allow 20 days for mail delivery4
- Peak season February-September2
- Upcoming closures: Nov 11, Nov 25 (half day), Nov 26-27, Dec 24-25, 2026; Jan 1, 20271
- Surrogacy: from Dec 1, 2026 only the 10/2026 VS41 form is accepted5
Records and where to get them
| Record | Who issues it | Years held | First copy | Shortest published time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records1 | 1853 to today (except 1897-June 1912)2 | $156 | In person: Same day4 |
| Death certificate | Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records1 | 1853 to today (except 1897-June 1912)2 | $156 | In person: Same day4 |
| Marriage certificate | Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records1 | 1853 to today2 | $156 | In person: Same day4 |
| Divorce records | Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records1 | 1918 to today2 | $156 | In person: Same day4 |
Birth certificate
- Who holds it
- Also issued at local health departments and all DMV customer service centers from the statewide system7
- Older records
- The Library of Virginia (Archives Division) holds 1853-1896 birth and death registers on microfilm8
- Ways to order
- Online, online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers, at a local office (VDH health districts)
How to get a Virginia birth certificate
Death certificate
- Who holds it
- Also issued at local health departments and DMV customer service centers7
- Older records
- The Library of Virginia (Archives Division) holds 1853-1896 birth and death registers on microfilm8
- Ways to order
- Online, online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers, at a local office (VDH health districts)
How to get a Virginia death certificate
Marriage certificate
- Who holds it
- Marriage and divorce records are also available at the circuit court in which the event took place2
- Older records
- Library of Virginia: marriage registers 1853-1935 on microfilm; pre-1853 marriage records in county/city court records9
- Ways to order
- Online, online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers, at a local office (VDH health districts), at a local office (option 3)
How to get a Virginia marriage certificate
Divorce records
- Who holds it
- Divorce decrees come from the clerk of the circuit court that granted the divorce10
- Older records
- Pre-1918 divorces: county records or the Legislative Petition collection (Library of Virginia)9
- Ways to order
- Online, online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, in person, at a local office: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers, at a local office (VDH health districts), at a local office: Clerk of the circuit court where the divorce was granted
How to get Virginia divorce records
Local offices
- Local offices issue certified copies
- Yes3
- Which offices
- District health departments (local health departments) and DMV customer service centers7
- Any office for any county
- Yes10
- Directory
- Official list of local offices3
Access rules and the law
- Who may get certified copies
- Closed records: only people the law names may get certified copies1
Laws and rules the office cites
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-271 (disclosure; public after 100/25 years)11
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-272 (certified copies; DMV and district health departments may issue)7
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-273 (fee up to $15; DMV $2 processing fee; waivers)12
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-269 (amendments)13
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-258.1 (stillbirth certificate for parents)14
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-268 (divorce reports filed by the clerk with the State Registrar)15
- 12VAC5-550-500 (written application, ID, sworn statement)16
- 12VAC5-550-510 (how certified copies are prepared; seal impressed)17
- 12VAC5-550-470 (direct and tangible interest; legal representatives)18
- 12VAC5-550-520 (fees)19
The state office
- Office
- Office of Vital Records1
- Phone
- (804) 662-62001
- Contact
- Contact form20
- Mailing address
- VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-10001
- Walk-in address
- Office of Vital Records, 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 2322720
- Hours
- Walk-in Monday-Friday 7:00am-4:00pm; Customer Care Center phone Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm1
- Website
- Official website1
Questions people ask
How much do birth and death certificates cost in Virginia?
A certified birth certificate costs $15 for the first copy and a death certificate $15.6
What is the phone number of the Virginia vital records office?
Office of Vital Records: (804) 662-6200.1
Where do I get a marriage certificate in Virginia?
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.
- Office of Vital Records (home)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 16, 2026
- Vital Record Walk-In LocationsVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated April 16, 2026
- OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
- SurrogacyVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 5, 2026
- Online Application for a Vital RecordVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-272 (certified copies)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
- GenealogyVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 30, 2026
- Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: Marriage RecordsThe Library of Virginiadated April 13, 2026
- Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records)Fairfax County Health Department
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-271 (disclosure; records made public)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-273 (fees)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-269 (amending vital records)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-258.1 (Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
- Code of Virginia § 32.1-268 (reports of divorces and annulments)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia)
- 12VAC5-550-500 Application for recordsVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)
- 12VAC5-550-510 Certified copies; how preparedVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)
- 12VAC5-550-470 Individual requestsVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)
- 12VAC5-550-520 FeesVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)
- Virginia Department of Health: Contact usVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 30, 2026