How to get a West Virginia death certificate

Ways to order

Not offered: online directly with the vital records office.²

What a West Virginia death certificate costs

First certified copy

$12²

Each additional copy

$12⁴

Expedite fee

$10⁵

Each extra year searched

$12²

If no record is found

The fee is kept as a search fee²

Fees in effect since

July 1, 2023 (memo: certified copies remain $12 per copy)¹¹

Types of copies

No-fee copies

• State agencies and organized charities, when certificates are needed for claims to the federal government or a state for public assistance¹²
• State Registrar may waive a fee for good cause, including legitimate charities and indigent persons⁵

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. They do not include shipping. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

Who can order a West Virginia death certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

• Informant listed on the death certificate⁴
• A parent named on the record and grandparent⁴
• Child and grandchild⁴
• Brother or sister⁴
• Spouse⁴
• Attorney or legal representative: Legal representatives (proof of legal representation also required).⁴
• Funeral director: The term “authorized representative” includes an attorney, physician, funeral director, or other designated agent acting on behalf of the registrant or his or her family.¹⁰
• Any immediate family member (64CSR32 §14.1.4, incl. in-laws, step-relatives), any surviving relative with a direct or tangible interest, or anyone proving a direct and tangible interest for a personal or property right¹⁰
• Records 50+ years old are open to anyone⁴

Records open to the public after

50 years⁴

ID you need

Photo ID

Required⁴

Accepted ID

• DMV-issued driver's license unexpired or expired for not more than five years
• DMV-issued learner's/instruction permit unexpired or expired for not more than five years
• DMV-issued photo identification card (excluding child ID cards) unexpired or expired for not more than one year
• Current Photo ID card, (school and employment). Check Cashing Cards are not acceptable
• Unexpired U.S. military ID card of an active duty or retired member (ID cards of military dependents are not acceptable as primary identity documents)
• U.S. Passport unexpired or expired for not more than five years
• West Virginia Criminal Justice Agency Offender Information Form
• United States Probation Offender Information Form⁴

Without that ID

• Social Security Card
• A utility bill (phone, electric, gas, water, etc.) with your name and current address
• Automobile registration with your name and current address
• Automobile insurance card with your name and current address
• Voter's Registration Card with your name and current address
• Checking account deposit slip or bank statement stating name and current address
• Paycheck stub or a W-2 form with your name and current address
• U.S. Selective Service Card
• U.S. military discharge papers (form DD214)
• Health care insurance card
• Unexpired welfare/social services identification card with photo, issued by a municipality
• Unexpired weapons or gun permit issued by federal, state or municipal government
• Veterans' Universal Access Identification Card

⁴

ID copy with a mail order

Include a copy of your ID²

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.⁴

• Name of person on the certificate (first, middle, last)
• Date of death
• City, county and state of death
• Sex
• Requestor's relationship
• Reason for request
• Signature and printed name
• Number of copies and amount enclosed
• Mailing address
• Daytime telephone number
• E-mail address

Forms

• Application for Copy of West Virginia Death Certificate revision Last Revised 01/06/09⁴

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds

1917 to today¹³

Older records

Clerk of the County Court (county clerk) in the county where the death occurred¹⁴

Special situations

Delayed registration

Delayed death registration through the Corrections Unit (304-558-2931)¹⁵ Details

Fetal death

Fetal death record or report: a parent listed on the record or their authorized representative¹⁰ Details

Use abroad

Apostille from the WV Secretary of State on a certified copy signed by the State Registrar or county clerk⁸ Details

Warnings from the office

• Previously issued copies are no longer replaced free after amendment (since July 1, 2023)¹¹
• Vendor orders: customer service is the vendor's responsibility; the state receives $12 per copy regardless of vendor fees²
• Misuse of vital records is a crime under W. Va. Code §16-5-38⁶

The state office

Office

Vital Registration Office (West Virginia Health Statistics Center)¹

Phone

(304) 558-2931⁷

Email

[email protected]⁷

Mailing address

Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301-3701

²

Walk-in address

Vital Registration Office (walk-up counter, right side of the main lobby, first floor), 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301

⁷

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM, except State holidays⁷

Website

Official website¹⁶

Questions people ask