State Vital Records in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Virginia. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records
State Vital Records in Virginia: key facts
- Administering office
- Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 804-662-6200.
- Office location
- 8701 Park Central Dr, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
- Mail orders
- VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000.
- Certificate fee
- $15 for the first certified copy.
- Processing time
- 2 weeks (8 business days by mail, 5 business days online). Expedited: Next day processing with express delivery; 2-5 days via VitalChek.
- Who may order
- Immediate family only: mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, grandparents; Grandchild or great-grandchild of the decedent (mandatory for death certificates, Va. Code 32.1-271(F)); Legal representative, including any Virginia-licensed attorney and the licensed funeral director in charge of final disposition (Va. Code 32.1-272(D)); Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws NOT eligible.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 25 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1912.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Virginia — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VDH online Vital Records Application (launched April 2022)
- By mail: Mail completed application to Office of Vital Records
- In person: Visit any local health department or DMV for current vital records
- By phone: Expedited ordering through the VitalChek network (vendor fees apply)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Allow the office's processing time (2 weeks (8 business days by mail, 5 business days online)); expedited handling is available.
Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records
Phone: 804-662-6200
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail completed application to Office of Vital Records. in person: Visit any local health department or DMV for current vital records. by phone: Expedited ordering through the VitalChek network (vendor fees apply). Mail orders go to VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Virginia primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records