Non-Genealogical Vital Records
Non-Genealogical vital records are documented records of birth, deaths, marriage, and divorces that have occurred within a certain number of years, which varies by record type.
Genealogical records, on the other hand, are records of these family history events which occurred outside of the year limitation and have typically become public records
Non-Genealogical vital records generally include records of:
- Births within the last 80 years
- Marriages, domestic partnerships, and civil unions within the last 50 years
- Deaths within the last 40 years
Non-Genealogical vital records are closed records in nearly every state since certified copies of them are considered legal documents that can be used to prove identity and/or citizenship. This means that they can only be accessed by specific individuals, usually the person on record and their immediate family members.
How to access non-genealogical records
If you need a non-genealogical record for someone other than yourself and you meet the requirements to apply, you can make an official request to the Vital Records Office in the state where the event occurred. You will need the following information to apply:
- The person(s) on records full name
- Place where the event occurred
- Date of the event
- For birth certificates: the parents’ full names, including the mother’s maiden name
You’ll need to submit your application, along with proof of ID, payment for the processing fees, and acceptable proof of your relationship to the person on record, if necessary.
