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Vital records office in Virginia — birth, marriage, death certificates

CDC-listed vital records office for Virginia. How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates for immigration filings (I-130

Vital records office in Virginia

How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from Virginia for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.

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Birth Event: Birth Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Office of Vital Records P.O. Box 1000 Richmond, VA 23218-1000 Remarks: State office has records filed after June 14, 1912. The Library of Virginia  may be in possession of records prior to 1912. Online, expedited, telephone and mail-in request options can be found on Virginia’s Office of Vital Records website.   Online support can be accessed on the Contact Us section of the webpage or via phone at (804) 662-6200. Death Event: Death Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Office of Vital Records P.O. Box 1000 Richmond, VA 23218-1000 Remarks: State office has records filed after June 14, 1912. The Library of Virginia  may be in possession of records prior to 1912. Online, expedited, telephone and mail-in request options can be found on Virginia’s Office of Vital Records website.   Online support can be accessed on the Contact Us section of the webpage or via phone at (804) 662-6200. Marriage Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Office of Vital Records P.O. Box 1000 Richmond, VA 23218-1000 Remarks:  State office has records filed after June 14, 1912. The Library of Virginia  or the court where the marriage license was issued may be in possession of records prior to 1912. Online, expedited, telephone and mail-in request options can be found on Virginia’s Office of Vital Records website. Online support can be accessed on the Contact Us section of the webpage or via phone at (804) 662-6200.

Event: Marriage (county/city) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: Clerk of Court in county or city where license was issued. The court may be in possession of records which the Office of Vital Records and the Library of Virginia do not have. Divorce Event: Divorce (State) Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Office of Vital Records P.O. Box 1000 Richmond, VA 23218-1000 Remarks:  State office has records filed after 1918. The Library of Virginia  or the court that issued the divorce may be in possession of records prior to 1918. Online, expedited, telephone and mail-in request options can be found on Virginia’s Office of Vital Records website. Online support can be accessed on the Contact Us section of the webpage or via phone at (804) 662-6200.

Event: Divorce (county/city) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: Clerk of Court in county or city where divorce was granted. The court may be in possession of records which the Office of Vital Records and the Library of Virginia do not have.

Last Reviewed: April 23, 2026 Source: National Center for Health Statistics

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Virginia vital records office details

Why immigrants need certified vital records

USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:

  • I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
  • I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
  • N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
  • Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
  • School enrollment — proof of date of birth
  • Real ID applications — proof of identity

Apostille and authentication

If you need to use a Virginia vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the Virginia Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.


Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the Virginia office.

Order vital records in Virginia

Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get a US birth certificate from Virginia?
From the Virginia vital records office listed below. Requests can typically be submitted online, by mail, or in person. You’ll need to prove identity and pay a fee (~$15-30 for first copy, plus shipping). For immigration purposes (I-130 evidence, naturalization), you need a CERTIFIED COPY (original with raised seal), not a photocopy.
How do I get a marriage certificate from Virginia?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the county clerk where the marriage license was issued, not the state vital records office. The state office may have copies of older records. For recent marriages, contact the county clerk’s office in the county of the wedding.
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
If filing with USCIS, certificates in any language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translator must certify they are competent to translate and that the translation is accurate. See /procedures/translate-document-uscis/ for the standard certification language.
Can I order vital records for someone else?
Most states restrict access to vital records to: the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, children, siblings, or legal representatives. ID verification is required. For genealogical research, records become open to the public after a waiting period (usually 50-100 years).