Are District of Columbia Vital Records Public?
Vital records in Washington DC may be open or closed to the public depending on the type of record and the year the life event happened. However, the provisions for the dissemination of these records are as outlined in Chapter 2A of the Code of the District of Columbia. Vital records of public interest include marriage records, divorce records, birth records, and death records.
What Information Shows Up in Vital Records in Washington, DC?
Vital records in Washington, DC, are documents that provide an official account of vital events occurring within the jurisdiction. This includes records of deaths, births, marriages, divorces, separations, and related occurrences.
How to Search for Washington DC Vital Records Online
While there are no remote search options provided by state agencies, inquirers can request Washington DC vital records through the Washington DC Archives. To search District of Columbia vital records, interested parties may need to provide related information such as:
- Biodata including the full names of the persons named in the record
- The reason for the record request
- The date the life event was filed/registered
- A government-issued ID (if applicable)
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a reliable jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
How Do I Obtain Vital Records in Washington, DC?
Requestors searching for birth records and death records must provide an identity card proving their eligibility to see and obtain a copy of the vital record. Accepted forms of identification include government-issued photo IDs, such as driver’s licenses and international passports. Persons who do not have these identification documents must often provide two minor identity documents such as utility bills, deeds or titles to real property, mortgage bills, and insurance documents.
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
Certified copies can be used to prove identity and for legal reasons. On the other hand, uncertified copies of vital records are only acceptable for non-legal purposes such as genealogy research and other personal purposes.
Are Marriage Records Public Information in Washington, DC?
Yes. Washington, DC marriage records are available to individuals who can provide the necessary details to facilitate a records search. However, certified copies of public marriage records, marriage records containing sensitive information, and sealed marriage records are not available to unauthorized requestors. Marriage license lookup can be done online or in person at the District of Columbia Superior Court. Contact the Court to know if a free marriage license records search is possible.
How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in Washington, DC?
Requestors who wish to obtain public marriage records may search online or visit the Marriage Bureau at the Superior Court. These requestors may also submit mail requests. Either way, a requester must present the record custodian with the necessary information needed to facilitate the record request. Generally, this includes the couple’s full names and the marriage date. Next, the requester must present a money order or a check payable to the “Clerk, DC Superior Court”. Mail requests must contain the application letter and payment enclosed in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mailed to:
Washington DC Superior Court
Marriage Bureau - JM 690
500 Indiana Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
How to Get a District of Columbia Marriage Certificate
The Marriage Bureau of the District of Columbia Courts issues marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage certificates. Requests for marriage certificates can be made online by providing the couple's full and maiden names and the marriage date. Online requests cost $10, and the marriage certificate will be sent to the requester via mail. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Marriage Bureau in person to request marriage certificates at:
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20001
Are Divorce Records Public in Washington, DC?
Yes. Washington DC divorce records are considered public records in Washington DC and are thus available for anonymous viewing. However, divorce records containing confidential information, e.g., information pertaining to minors and victims of domestic violence, are exempt from this rule. Only authorized persons may obtain such divorce records.
How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in Washington, DC?
The DC Superior Court maintains records of divorces filed from September 16, 1956, to date. Requestors who wish to obtain copies of these records can either search the official online database, visit, or send a mail request to the courthouse. Reputable third-party websites also provide this information.
Either way, a requester must provide basic information to help administrative staff retrieve the divorce record of interest. Some of these include the divorce date, the divorcees’ full names, and the divorce case number. The court charges a $6.50 fee for obtaining each certified copy of a divorce certificate. Eligible requestors may visit or send a mail request to:
DC Superior Court
500 Indiana Avenue, Northwest, Room 4335
Washington, DC 20001
Are Birth Records Public Information in Washington, DC?
Birth records in Washington DC become public information in Washington DC after 125 years. Pending the expiration of this period of confidentiality, only pre-authorized individuals such as the persons named on the birth certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons armed with a court order may obtain a birth certificate.
How Do I Obtain Birth Records in Washington, DC?
The Washington DC Vital Records Division (DCVRD) maintains birth records that occurred from August 1874 to date. Eligible persons can order birth certificates and replacement birth certificates by visiting the DCVRD with payment for the applicable fees and documents indicating proof of eligibility.
Vital Records Department
899 North Capitol Street
NE First Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Public birth records may be obtained by record seekers at the DC Office of Public Records and Archives during public and research hours at:
Office of Public Records and Archive
1300 Naylor Court, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 671-1105
Fax: (202) 727- 6076
Is a Birth Certificate a Public Record in the District of Columbia?
According to the District of Columbia confidentiality code § 7–231.24, a birth certificate can only become a public record when it is 125 years old and above. Therefore, only individuals who are legally entitled and present the required personal documentation may obtain certified copies of birth records less than 125 years old. However, birth certificates become accessible to the general public when 125 years elapse. Public birth records can be obtained in person from the District of Columbia Office of Public Records and Archives.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in the District of Columbia
Record seekers can obtain a divorce certificate filed before 1957 at the District of Columbia District Court Clerk's office. Requestors seeking a dissolution of marriage records for a divorce that occurred after 1957 may obtain it through the District of Columbia Court services. The superior court has a case search tool that can be used to get a certified divorce certificate in the District of Columbia.
Are Death Records Public in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC, death records are protected from public perusal until 75 years have elapsed since the death. In the meantime, only authorized persons who can provide proof of eligibility may perform a death certificate search. These include the deceased’s immediate family members, legal representatives, authorized funeral homes, and law enforcement agencies. Following the expiration of the statutory period of confidentiality, interested members of the public may perform a death record search by name.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in Washington, DC?
The DCVRD maintains public death records issued from August 1874 to date. Eligible persons can obtain certified copies of death records by ordering online via third-party vendors or visiting the government agency at:
Vital Records Department
899 North Capitol Street, Northeast First Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Meanwhile, public death records are available at the Washington DC Archives. Interested persons may contact the record custodian to perform a death record search by name during business hours.
Are Death Certificates Public Records in the District of Columbia?
Yes, Death records become public after 75 years. As such, anyone can visit the DC Office of Public Records to inspect or obtain copies of public death certificates.
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Washington, DC?
Statutorily sealed vital records, as well as records rendered confidential by court order, can be freely found by eligible individuals. However, other requesters must petition a licensed judge or jury for a court order granting access to the sealed vital record.
What are Vital Statistics in the District of Columbia?
Vital statistics are data gathered on vital events, including births, marriages, dissolution of marriage, divorces, deaths, and fetal deaths. These are then evaluated to provide statistical reports for demographic and health purposes. Record seekers can obtain vital statistics from the District of Columbia Vital Records Division. To find out the vital statistics in the District of Columbia, call (202) 442-5955.
