What are vital records?
Before you embark on a vital records search, it is essential to understand the meaning of the term. Vital records are the official documentation of significant life events that include:
Birth certificates and related records—Most commonly known as birth certificates, these documents record the official location (i.e., the state, city/town) where the birth occurred. Typically, they include the date and time of birth, the names of the birth parents, the name of the doctor who delivered the baby, and other critical information.
Marriage certificates and related records – These documents include marriage licenses and applications. For instance, documentation for civil unions and domestic partnerships is also included.
Divorce records – Divorce records document the legal dissolution of marriages, detailing the parties involved, the dates, the grounds, and sometimes the financial settlements or child custody arrangements. They are vital for legal and genealogical purposes, providing insights into social trends and individual histories. Access and use vary by jurisdiction, often requiring privacy protection and legal permissions.
Death certificates – The death certificate includes the decedent’s name, date and place of death, cause of death, names of surviving spouses or relatives, parents, and informant information, as well as the place of disposition, funeral facility information, and residence history. Other information may include whether an autopsy was performed and by whom.
Where to Find Vital Records
Vital records are usually managed under governmental authority at the federal, state, county, or city levels. In most states, the Office of Vital Statistics is responsible for managing these documents. In the United States, a county clerk or county recorder typically maintains these court documents under state law.
Fortunately, many states offer online access to some of the data, but in some cases, private detectives must visit the county clerk’s office in person. They may even need to file a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
The documents are not always public records, and access to them may not be available in some states. The records do not include police reports, arrest data, property ownership information, military service history, inmate and prison records, or other law enforcement reports.
To get access to billions of online public records, see BeenVerified.
What do private investigators need to know?
Private investigators are experts at uncovering essential client documents and public records. Private investigators often dig up court documents and vital records related to a person’s birth, death, marriage, or divorce. For example:
- An individual may be trying to track down their birth parents. Parents’ names are on a person’s birth certificate. However, many people are unaware of how to obtain a copy. That’s where a private investigator comes in to do a vital record search on their behalf.
- Another example is someone who has recently entered a relationship and wants to investigate their new partner’s background. They can hire a private investigator to verify their identity by checking official records, such as birth records. Additionally, they can investigate their past relationships by checking marriage and divorce records.
- In cases of missing persons, searching for a death certificate is a good idea to determine if the missing person is still alive.
- When private investigators conduct a comprehensive background check, they research and compile data to form a complete picture of an individual.
Online Access to Vital Records Search via Research Websites
As previously mentioned, many states, counties, cities, towns, and other localities provide online access to public records. We recommend starting with the state website and looking for the Office of Vital Statistics or the county clerk.
Additionally, some companies act as aggregators, providing access to public and vital records search documents for all states through a single site. Of course, access will incur a cost. Costs typically range from a flat fee for broad access to a per-item charge. Following are some aggregators to choose from:
BeenVerified
BeenVerified has a vast database consisting of billions of online public records. Use it to find a variety of information about people, their relatives, and others. For example, look up current and previous addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Intelius
Additionally, consider using Intelius for comprehensive people search reports, background checks, criminal records, court records, real estate information, and financial reports.
National Center for Health Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website contains information for private investigators and legal researchers. On this site, you’ll find state-by-state information on obtaining or requesting court documents and other information. The appropriate address, approximate cost, guidelines, and tips for submitting your request are provided for each type of documentation. This is an excellent site that we highly recommend for detectives and regular citizens.
TruthFinder
TruthFinder is an online public records research service that searches billions of records and compiles reports. For example, it searches data sources, including federal, state, and county records. Plus, it scours social media data and the deep web. Use it to quickly search for people, relatives, and other related individuals. Additionally, you can find information such as vital records, criminal history, employment credentials, and more. Feel free to read our review, but we do not recommend using Truthfinder. BeenVerified is a much better service.
VitalChek Network by Lexis Nexis
VitalChek Network – VitalChek, owned by LexisNexis, is an official, government-authorized service that helps citizens securely order certified birth certificates and other public records from official government agencies nationwide. It offers a simple ordering process designed to help ensure the accuracy of your order. Simply submit your order online, which is then routed electronically to the relevant government agency for processing. Processing fees range from $2.50 to $16.00.
U.S. Vital Records – This website helps you locate your ancestors in the United States. Use the site to search federal census records, obituary records, and old newspapers. The results lead you to Ancestry.com. However, we don’t recommend this particular search unless you do genealogy research.
Legal Forms
View our legal forms page for descriptions of legal documents related to this type of research. Related documents include divorce or separation forms, prenuptial agreements (also known as prenups), last will forms, and other miscellaneous records.
Please comment below if you have questions about conducting a vital records search.
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My husband has been leading a secret life. He is believed to be married to another woman and me at the same time. They went to Louisiana to marry. Since then she has begun taking my identity so they can hide their marriage. Documents in the data base on his and my property has been wiped clean no record. They are making me feel like I’m crazy. Can’t find any real proof anywhere. My husband was very careful in covering his tracks. I have wasted 3 months on this and need proof. Don’t know what to do.
I am desperately trying to get my divorce record in Illinois from over 40 years ago. I don’t have the exact dates. Everywhere I search I can’t get past the date(s) issue. What can I do ?
Visit the Illinois Department of Public Health and submit a request to the Circuit Court Clerk. You may want to visit in person.
I missed some info. I dont live in the US and both died in Uruguay, where I live. Thanks
Hi, my name is Diego Young. My parents got married in NY in 1965 and both are dead. How can I get a Marriage certificate? Their names were: Diego Young Cash & Ana Laura Faget Montero
To get a marriage certificate in New York, you must have a judicial or another proper purpose. You would need an official letter from the agency saying that you need the marriage record to process the claim. For more information, visit the New York State Department of Health website.
I do astrology charts. I would like to complete a chart for Joe Lando, the actor, who was born on 12/9/1961 in Illinois (either in Chicago or Prairie View, where he grew up). However, I need his TIME of birth. I’ve been informed that the only way to obtain his birth time is from his LONG birth certificate.
The problem is that not all states allow access to birth certificate information. (I live in California, where birth times are public information.) Would your company be able to access this information?
Unfortunately, since those records aren’t public, only the person named on the record, one of the parents named on the record, legal guardian or legal representative of the child can request a copy of the record.