In general, vital records weren't kept in the United States until the early 1900s. Vital records usually contain the full name of the individual involved in the event, the date of the event, and the county, state, or town where the event took place. Many vital records contain much more information. For example, marriage records often record the names and birthplaces of each individual's parents. Divorce records usually list the names of the couple's children. Death certificates often mention where the individual will be buried, and also give the name of the individual who reported the death.

Alaska Vital Statistics - Information regarding obtaining Alaska vital records as well as heirloom copies of marriage certificates and birth certificates.

Arkansas Department of Health - Information to obtain birth and death certificates for Arkansas as well as general information about the Division of Vital Records.

Arizona Bureau of Public Health Statistics - Basic information and instructions for requesting vital records in Arizona as well as adoption information.

California Center for Health Statistics - How to order certified copies of California vital records from the state.  Requests must be mailed due to the fact that the office does not have a public counter fro requests.

Colorado Certificates and Vital Records - Instructions for ordering birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates from the state of Colorado as well as information on heirloom certificates.

Connecticut Vital Records - Information regarding Connecticut vital records made available through the state of Connecticut.

Delaware Office of Vital Statistics - Instructions for obtaining individual copies of birth, death, adoptee and marriage licenses.

District of Columbia Department of Health - Obtain birth, death, and other vital records from the DC Department of Health.  Site includes applications and fee amounts.

Florida's Health - Information for obtaining Florida certificates including birth, stillbirth, commemorative birth or marriage certificates, death or marriage certificates and divorce certificates.

Georgia Vital Records - General information regarding vital records, the records that are available, the history of vital records in Georgia and an FAQ.

Hawaii Department of Health - Information about vital records, who is eligible to receive certified copies and how to ensure authentication of certified copies.

Idaho Bureau of Health Policy and Vital Statistics - The Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Health Policy and Vital Statistics has housed birth and death records since July 1911 with divorce records beginning in May 1947.

Illinois Department of Public Health - The Illinois Department of Public Health preserves all state records regarding adoption, births, deaths, divorces, marriages and surrogate parentage.

Indiana Birth and Death Certificates - Instructions for accessing certified birth and death certificates for the state of Indiana.

Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics - Instructions for receiving Iowa vital records through the mail.

Kansas Office of Vital Statistics - The Kansas Office of Vital Statistics receives and preserves all Kansas births, deaths, marriages and divorces.

Kentucky Vital Records and Genealogy Information - The Vital Statistics Law of Kentucky established the Office of Vital Statistics and legalized the registration of births and deaths in the state of Kentucky in 1911.

Louisiana Vital Records Registry - Louisiana parish offices provide walk-in services fro individuals who are seeking Louisiana vital records and requests may also be mailed.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Contact information regarding the retrieval of birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates for the state of Maine.

Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene - Information regarding life events including births, deaths, marriages and divorces as well as annual vital statistics reports.

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics - Maintains birth, death and marriage records that have occurred in Massachusetts dating back to 1916.  The Registry also holds divorce information dating back to 1952.

Michigan Department of Community Health - Birth, death, marriage and divorce record information including how to order online, by mail as well as eligibility requirements.

Minnesota Dept. of Health - Information on how to obtain a birth or death certificate or a non-certified copy of Minnesota vital records.

Mississippi Public Health Statistics - Rules and regulations regarding the ordering of birth, death and marriage certificates. 

Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services - Instructions for ordering birth, death, marriage and divorce information.

Montana Dept. of Public Health & Human Services - Instructions for obtaining Montana vital records through the mail including applications for each.

Nebraska Certificates & Reports - Information on ordering New Jersey vital records as well as submitting death certificates electronically.

Nevada Index of Health Division Forms - Vital statistics, records and instructions for ordering Nevada vital records.

New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration - Information for obtaining certified copies of vital records in New Hampshire.

New Jersey Vital Records - The State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration of New Jersey has maintained New Jersey vital records since 1878.

New Mexico Vital Records - Information regarding the history of the vital records office as well as how to obtain birth and death records in New Mexico.

New York State - Birth, death, marriage and divorce records information.  Divorce records are available since 1963.

North Carolina Vital Records - Information on the North Carolina Vital Records Unit registers all births, deaths, fetal deaths, divorce and marriages.

North Dakota Division of Vital Records - Offers registration and certification of life events in North Dakota.

Ohio Dept. of Health - Birth, death, stillbirth, marriage and divorce certificate information as well as adoption information for Ohio.

Oklahoma State Dept. of Health - Births and death records have been filed since October 1908.  The records prior to 1940 may be somewhat sketchy as it was not always mandatory to file births and deaths in the state.

Oregon Center for Health Statistics - Frequently asked questions regarding vital records and ordering vital records in the state of Oregon.

Pennsylvania Vital Records - Vital records information including frequently asked questions as well as birth, death, marriage and divorce records information.

Rhode Island Dept. of Health - Rhode Island vital records information including applications, listings of cities and towns as well as annual reports of vital statistics.

South Carolina Vital Records Services - The Division of Vital Records is the official keeper of life event certificates in the state of South Carolina including births, deaths, marriages and divorces.

South Dakota Dept. of Health - Instructions for ordering South Dakota vital records including birth, marriage and death records.  Also contains information on how to order records for genealogy purposes.

Tennessee Office of Vital Records - The Office of Vital Records maintains original certificates relating to births, deaths and marriages in Tennessee.

Texas Dept. of State Health Services - Instructions on how to order vital records through TexasOnline and who is eligible to do so.

Utah Dept. of Health - Information regarding marriages, divorces, abortions, vital statistics and how to obtain life event certificates.

Vermont Department of Health - Vermont vital records include births, deaths, marriages, divorces and the establishment of civil unions in Vermont.

Virginia Department of Health - Instructions on how to obtain vital records in Virginia including information on marriage requirements, kindergarten requirements, vital record applications, stillbirth certificates and foreign authentication.

Washington Center for Health Statistics - History and instructions for each type of vital record including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates.

West Virginia Health Statistics Center - Instructions for vital registration as well as how to obtain copies of birth and death certificates and who may obtain these certificates.

Wisconsin Vital Records - The Wisconsin Vital Records Office requires written applications as well as fees to obtain vital records from the state.

Wyoming Vital Records Instructions - Information on how to request copies or certificates for birth, death, marriage and divorce records.