Vital Records Services

We have made it easy for you to get copies of important legal documents, like birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates.

Who is eligible?

  • For death certificates, *immediate family member, grandchild, great grandchild or legally authorized individual may obtain a copy of death certificates for persons who died in the state of Virginia.
  • Marriage and divorce certificates can be issued to *immediate family. Information required for the search includes full name of groom, full maiden name of bride, exact date, and place in Virginia of the marriage or divorce
  • Birth certificates recorded in the state of Virginia can be issued to parents listed on the child’s certificate, *immediate family members or a legal guardian with proof of custody.
  • Acknowledgement of Paternity Information is obtained from the mother and father of the child that is born out of wedlock. The Vital Records Office in Richmond prepares a new birth certificate that will include the father’s name and mails a certified copy to the parents. Appointments are necessary. (757) 382-8677; (757)382-2694; CHDVitalRec@vdh.virginia.gov
    Acknowledgement_of_Paternity_Form VS22_07-04 with Instructions

*Immediate family members – mother, father, current spouse, adult child, brother, sister and grandparents.

Links to forms:

Valid ID required.

Please fill out this form and bring it to our offices. Each record search is $12.
Application For Vital Records.pdf

In Virginia, death, marriage and divorce data become “public” information 25 years after the event; birth data are “public” after 100 years.

Virginia Office of Vital Records

Chesapeake Health Dept – Vital Records Office
748 Battlefield Blvd N – 1st Floor counter
Chesapeake, VA 23320CHDVitalRec@vdh.virginia.gov

Walk -In Services 8:30am -3:30pm
Monday through Friday, except holidays,

Closed for Lunch 12:30pm-1:30pm 

Call Monica (757) 382-8677 or Becky (757)382-2694 for more information.

VDH, Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Open Mon-Fri, 8AM to 4:45PM and most Saturdays, from 8 AM to Noon, closed scheduled state holidays.
(804) 662-6200 [Richmond]