Vital records office in West Virginia
How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from West Virginia for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.
West Virginia
Minus
Related Pages
Birth
Event: Birth Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Vital Registration Office Room 165 350 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301-3701 Remarks: State office was established in 1917. Earlier records may be on file at the state office as “delayed certificates” if they were placed on file after 1917 and were not already on file in a county clerk’s office. Both offices may need to be queried but it is recommended that for births before 1917 that county offices be queried first. Personal check or money order should be made payable to Vital Registration . To verify current fees, the telephone number is (304) 558-2931. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Internet at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website . Death
Event: Death Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Vital Registration Office Room 165 350 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301-3701 Remarks: State office has records since January 1917. For earlier records, write to Clerk of County Court in county where event occurred. Personal check or money order should be made payable to Vital Registration . To verify current fees, the telephone number is (304) 558-2931. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Internet at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website . Marriage
Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: $12.00 Address: Vital Registration Office Room 165 350 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301-3701 Remarks: Marriage indexes from 1921 forward. Certified copies available from 1964 forward. Before 1964, see county below.
Event: Marriage (County) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: County Clerk in county where license was issued. Divorce
Event: Divorce (State) Cost of copy: See remarks Address: Vital Registration Office Room 165 350 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301-3701 Remarks: Indexes only since 1968. Certified copies are not available from state office. See county below.
Event: Divorce (County) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: Certified copies of divorce orders may be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
Last Reviewed: November 6, 2015 Source: National Center for Health Statistics
Syndicate
West Virginia vital records office details
- CDC W2W (Where to Write) page: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/west_virginia.htm
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 West Virginia vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — your home country’s transcription/legalization of US records
- Translate documents for USCIS — certified-translation standard
- Apostille (document legalization) — for use abroad
- USCIS Form I-130 — family petition — uses vital records as evidence
- USCIS Form N-400 — naturalization — vital records for marriage-based 3-year rule
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the West Virginia office.
Order vital records in West Virginia
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:
- West Virginia — how to order birth, death & marriage certificates (official CDC guide)
Birth certificate copy: about $12.00 (verify current fee)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a US birth certificate from West Virginia?
How do I get a marriage certificate from West Virginia?
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
Can I order vital records for someone else?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.