Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage)

Birth Certificates

All birth records for anyone born in the Commonwealth of Virginia are issued from the Division of Vital Records in Richmond, Virginia. The charge for each certificate is $12. There are three ways to obtain a birth record from Richmond.

  1. VitalChek System: This system allows you to receive your birth certificate via overnight express and to pay with one of the following credit cards: Mastercard, VISA, American Express or Discover. The processing time is three to four working days. Call 800-255-2414 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday – Friday.
  2. U.S. Mail: Send an Application for Certification of a Vital Record to the State Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, Virginia 23218.
  3. Go to Richmond: If you need the birth certificate right away, you can go to Richmond during normal business hours and receive the certificate the same day. For information that you need to supply and directions to the Office, call the Vital Records Office at 804-662-6200, or send a fax to 804-786-6200.

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Death Certificates

Death certificates are available from the Arlington County Department of Human Services for persons who have died in Arlington County. Funeral home personnel, members of the immediate family* and persons with legal authorization may obtain the death certificate from:

Effective February 1, 2016, Death Certificates will be issued at:

Department of Human Services
2110 Washington Blvd. (Sequoia 2), Suite 350
Arlington VA 22204
703-228-7400

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

* Immediate family includes mother, father (name must be shown on the certification), sibling, current spouse and adult children. Valid documentation that identifies the relationship between the deceased and the immediate family member is required for obtaining the death certificate. Call 703-228-7400 for a list of acceptable identification documents.

The charge for a death certificate is $12 per certificate. Make check payable to “Arlington County Treasurer.” Death certificates are available at this location for up to five years from the person’s date of death.

For all other death certificates, send an Application for Certification of a Vital Record to the State Division of Vital Records.

Marriage/Divorce Certificates

Marriage and divorce certificates may be obtained by sending an Application For Certification of a Vital Record to the VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, Virginia 23218.