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