Official-resource guides

Vital Record Guides by State and Certificate Type

Explore 80 guides covering birth, death, marriage and divorce records in the same 20 states.

These guides summarize official state resources. Requirements can change, so each guide links to the issuing agency and shows when its sources were checked. Start with the state where the event was recorded.

Birth Certificate Guides

Choose your state for official birth-record offices, document choices and request instructions.

Death Certificate Guides

Choose your state for official death-record offices, document choices and request instructions.

Marriage Certificate Guides

Choose your state for official marriage-record offices, document choices and request instructions.

Divorce Certificate Guides

Choose your state for official divorce-record offices, document choices and request instructions.

Need a different record type? Compare certificate types or find your state.