Vital Records in the United States

For genealogists, all family history research begins with Vital Records. Birth, Marriage, Death, and Divorce records contain virtually all the keys to discovering our ancestry. We all have many and varying reasons for researching our family history and it's easy to fall into the trap of relying on unverified and second-hand information. Just because you find someone who has published their family tree does not mean that they have verified that information. Paper documentation is in many cases the only thing that is recognized as proof of your ancestry. Genealogy and Family Heritage organizations, like the Mayflower Society have strict rules for admission, including marriage and birth certificates for each and every member of your lineage back to a mayflower passenger. Not a small feat, and in many cases impossible.

That is because unfortunately, in the United States, collection of vital records have been inconsistent at best, and in many cases absent or lost. Vital records prior to 1900 are difficult to come by and are kept in varying places from state to state. The resources on this web site can help point you in the right direction.

When beginning your search for an ancestors vital records, it's typically easiest to start with the death records. Each document you discover will provide you with clues for locating the next. As you piece together your family history from document to document, eventually the clues will add up to an accurate picture of your family tree. We wish you luck in your search.

Types of Vital Records

Vital Records Locations

VT NH DC MD DE NJ CT RI MA HI AK CA NV OR WA ID UT AZ NM CO WY MT ND SD NE KS OK TX MN IA MO AR LA IL WI MI IN OH KY WV TN MS AL FL GA SC NC VA MD DE NJ PA NY CT RI MA VT NH ME

Midwest
Illinois Vital Records Indiana Vital Records
Iowa Vital Records Kansas Vital Records
Michigan Vital Records Minnesota Vital Records
Nebraska Vital Records North Dakota Vital Records
Ohio Vital Records South Dakota Vital Records
Wisconsin Vital Records  
Northeast
Connecticut Vital Records Delaware Vital Records
District of Columbia Vital Records Maine Vital Records
Massachusetts Vital Records New Hampshire Vital Records
New Jersey Vital Records New York Vital Records
Pennsylvania Vital Records Rhode Island Vital Records
Vermont Vital Records  
South
Alabama Vital Records Arkansas Vital Records
Florida Vital Records Georgia Vital Records
Kentucky Vital Records Louisiana Vital Records
Mississippi Vital Records Missouri Vital Records
North Carolina Vital Records Oklahoma Vital Records
South Carolina Vital Records Tennessee Vital Records
Texas Vital Records Virginia Vital Records
West Virginia Vital Records  
Territories
American Samoa Vital Records Guam Vital Records
Northern Mariana Islands Vital Records Puerto Rico Vital Records
Virgin Islands Vital Records  
West
Alaska Vital Records Arizona Vital Records
California Vital Records Colorado Vital Records
Hawaii Vital Records Idaho Vital Records
Montana Vital Records Nevada Vital Records
New Mexico Vital Records Oregon Vital Records
Utah Vital Records Washington Vital Records
Wyoming Vital Records  
 
Vital Records Search
(sponsored by Genealogy Archives)
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