Virginia Genealogy Records

To begin, add a genealogy record or view a list of locations and resources for Virginia genealogy records.

The Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics is a part of the Virginia Department of Health and was created by Virginia State Code 32.1-276.1. The division is responsible for the collection and maintenance of information pertaining to vital events for the entire state. Virginia genealogy records become public record after a specified amount of time: 100 years for birth records, 50 years for all other records. Birth and death records are available for the years 1853 to 1896 and 1912 to the present. Marriage records are available from 1853 to the present, and death records are available from 1918 to the present.

Adoption records are sealed in Virginia and there are special procedures required to gain access to the original birth records of adoptees. When looking for genealogy records, Virginia adoptees must provide good cause to have the closed adoption records opened, and then a search for birth family members is initiated by the agency who originally handled the adoption.