Adams County Vital Records
Asotin County Vital Records
Benton County Vital Records
Chelan County Vital Records
Clallam County Vital Records
Clark County Vital Records
Columbia County Vital Records
Cowlitz County Vital Records
Douglas County Vital Records
Ferry County Vital Records
Franklin County Vital Records
Garfield County Vital Records
Grant County Vital Records
Grays Harbor County Vital Records
Island County Vital Records
Jefferson County Vital Records
King County Vital Records
Kitsap County Vital Records
Kittitas County Vital Records
Klickitat County Vital Records
Lewis County Vital Records
Lincoln County Vital Records
Mason County Vital Records
Okanogan County Vital Records
Pacific County Vital Records
Pend Oreille County Vital Records
Pierce County Vital Records
San Juan County Vital Records
Skagit County Vital Records
Skamania County Vital Records
Snohomish County Vital Records
Spokane County Vital Records
Stevens County Vital Records
Thurston County Vital Records
Wahkiakum County Vital Records
Walla Walla County Vital Records
Whatcom County Vital Records
Whitman County Vital Records
Yakima County Vital Records

Vital Records Facts

Vital records are legal documents that create a physical record of the important milestones in a persons life.   The day a baby is born, their first vital record is created.  Other vital records include marriage, divorce and death records.  These documentation are kept on file in hospitals and the courts. Many states have a separate department  or registrars office where these vital statistics are kept.  One of the main purposes of vital records are the ultimate legal documentation  to prove  you are who you say you are. You need these at various points in your life  before you are allowed to do things like enroll in school, get a drivers license, or get a passport or receive death beneficiary benefits.

Here is a description of the some of these documents and what they are used for.

Birth Certificate

What it is:

It is the official record of the day, time and place of birth of each individual.  Anyone born in a medical facility, it is issued by them and certified by the attending physician. For those not born in a hospital or other medical facility, they can get a blank birth certificate from the state registrar’s office and have it certified by a doctor, midwife, doula are other approved certifying professional.

Most birth certificates issued in the United States are administered and the records are stored by the individual states, but they use a form that has been standardized by the US Public Health Service.  States can create their own form, but must just use the standardized form.
Whichever form, you need the original official copy that includes the raised seal stamped on it, or else it will not be accepted as proof of identification.

The state certified birth certificate includes the following information:

1.Full name sex, date, time of birth
2.City, county, specific location of birth ( hospital, home etc)
3.Official state approved certifier or attendant
4.Mother’s information, including maiden name
5.Father’s information
6.Demographics- race, marriage status,pregnancy history

Why a birth certificate is important:

1.It is the ultimate proof of who you are
2.Provides states with updated population data
3.Proof of identification for drivers license
4.Proof of identification for passports
5.Proof of identification for social security number
6.Proof of age and identification to enroll in school.
7.Records will provide documentation for genealogy research

Marriage Licenses

What it is:

This legal document can be called a license or a certificate. It  is a vital record issued by the state.   It provides the official record  proving that the state has recognized that these two people are eligible for marriage.  It is most often filed with the county or city clerks office and becomes an official government document.

Official marriage certificates  includes the following information:

1.Full names and information for the two people getting married
2.Signatures of both parties
3.Name and signature of the legal officiant,
4.Date and county in the state that the marriage took place.

Marriage certificates can be useful for:

1.Is the official verification of the union of marriage
2.Provides documentation for genealogy research
3.Getting spousal insurance benefits
 
Divorce Records

What it is:

The Divorce record is not a a  simple certificate like the marriage license.  It is a full legal document that an attorney creates.  There can’t be a standard divorce form like there is for birth and marriage certificates because each divorce has different and unique to each marriage.

It is filed with the county clerks office. It not only is the legal record of what they call dissolution of a marriage, but it also states the specifics on financial and property dissolution as well. any financial arrangements, visitation schedules for children.

Official divorce documents Includes  the following information:

1.The complete names of the two parties
2.The date and location  where the marriage took place
3.The date the divorce was finalized in the court and signed by a judge.
4.Divorce documents may also contain sensitive information such as tax records, income records, criminal records, and lists of assets.

Divorce records can be used for:

1.Official documentation of divorce status
2.To reveal criminal history of an individual
3.Provides documentation for genealogy research
4.To verify  the last known address of either party

Death Certificate

Death certificates, complete the circle of viral records.  They are used in conjunction with the birth certificates for keeping accurate population and morbidity information When a death occurs, a certificate of death is issued by a coroner, or other government official

Official Death certificates include the following:

1.The full name and sex of the person
2.The date, time and location of death
3.The official cause of death
4.Official signatures and seals

Death certificates are important to be used for:

1.Verifying the death of an individual
2.Provided documentation for genealogy research
3.The estate probate process
4.Official documentation to verify a life insurance claim