| Many sites like to imply that they can provide you | | | | additional fee for using one. In a few weeks, the |
| with free vital statistics documents. The fact is that | | | | certified copy will arrive. Of course, no government |
| you can only go so far with them before they want | | | | agency would ever imply they are giving you |
| to charge you for the information they provide. | | | | something free. |
| Truthfully, it is worthwhile paying for these | | | | The (not so) Free Version of Vital Records |
| documents, even if they aren’t certified copies. | | | | Online you can find many vendors of documents |
| Searching the State Vital Records Files | | | | suggesting that you can get something free. Just as |
| Each state keeps files, at either the state level or | | | | in the real world, there is no such thing as a free |
| the county level of vitals statistics documents like | | | | lunch. When you go to one of these sites, it will |
| birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, and | | | | suggest you enter a name. Once it verifies that the |
| decrees of divorce. They are available by application | | | | individual for whom your search has records, it will |
| to anyone who has a legitimate reason to request a | | | | take you to a page that requires payment to |
| certified copy. | | | | continue. |
| Although these are nominally public records, the | | | | I don’t like this kind of dishonesty. If I am told |
| government is somewhat protective of such | | | | that something is available free, I really resent it |
| documentation. To request a copy, if the document | | | | when I am then told I need to pay for it. It seems |
| doesn’t pertain directly to you, you need to be a | | | | very much like a bait and switch operation. |
| close family relative; parent, child, grandparent, sibling, | | | | The Best Online Option |
| etc. If you are conducting a genealogical search, | | | | Find a site that tells you upfront that you will need to |
| then you will need to show that you are in the direct | | | | pay for your data. After all, they paid for their |
| line of the individual you are searching. | | | | access to the state databases, they pay their |
| The Bureau of Vital Statistics Process | | | | technicians to compile the data, and they are |
| It is relatively simple to request a certified copy of a | | | | constantly updating the files. |
| document. Download the online application, fill it out, | | | | If you are searching for records and don’t need |
| and make a copy of your photo ID. Include your | | | | a certified copy, this is clearly the way to go. Feel |
| fee, the reason for your search and mail it in. | | | | free to search for all the vital statistics you want, for |
| If you chose to fax it in instead, you will need a | | | | any document you need. Free vital statistics data? |
| credit card number, and occasionally there is an | | | | I don’t think so. |