How to Find Birth Records in Delaware

The registration of births has come as a blessing to the world. This is because people are now able to trace their genealogy and find out more information about their ancestors. This article will discuss ways on how to find birth records in Delaware. You can find birth records using the internet.

Delaware is a state bordering Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The state is named after a nearby river the Delaware river. With a population close to a million, you can still find birth information on anyone born in Delaware. This article will not only show you how but will also recommend the places to find that information.

Birth Records in Delaware

Vital records (births, marriages, divorces and deaths) were recorded in Delaware from 1913. That is when the Office of Vital Statistics was formed. Before 1913, the responsibility of recording vital records was upon each county’s Recorder of Deeds. These records’ copies were to be given to the Secretary of the State Board of Health.

Every state has its own laws that cater for the issuing of birth records. This is to avoid cases of identity theft, for example. Let’s take a look at the rules and laws that govern the issuing of birth records in Delaware.

Rules that Govern Birth Records in Delaware

The Freedom of Information Act in Delaware is the one that set the bench mark as to what is considered a public record in Delaware. Birth records in Delaware are private records up until 72 years later. These records are accessible to the people on the birth certificate relatives and authorized people. After the 72 years has elapsed, the birth records then become public records and can be accessed by anyone. They are made available from the Delaware Public Archives.

Details found in Delaware birth records is usually name of child, race, sex/ gender, date of birth, birth place and names of parents.

Obtaining Birth Records in Delaware

People are encouraged to mail their birth certificate request to the Office of Vital Statistics or order a copy online using gocertificate.com and vitalchek.com.

People can get hold of vital records like birth certificate in Delaware in person from the following locations:

• Jesse S. Cooper Building

Federal Street

Dover, DE 19901

• Chopin Building

258 Chapman RD

Newark, DE 19702

• Thurman Adams State Serv CTR

546 S. Bedford St.

Georgetown, DE 19947

People can get vital records such as birth records from online Delaware. However, the Delaware Office of Vital Statistics does not accept online orders for birth records or credit cards. Online requests for birth records can be processed using independent companies with whom they have partnered with for such a service.

These are GoCertificates and VitalChek. They both charge a fee for such services and do accept all major credit cards.

You can get birth records in Delaware by mailing a completed form to the Office of Vital Statistics. The form should be accompanied by a copy of your legal photo ID.

Accessing Birth Records in Delaware

Not everyone can access birth records in Delaware. The following type of people do quality to obtain those records:

• Person whose name is on the birth certificate.
• Mother, father or legal guardian of the birth certificate owner.
• Daughter, son, grandchild of the person on the certificate.
• Brother or sister to the person on the certificate.
• Legal representative of the person who has been authorized.

Authorized requests from legal representatives should use the OVS legal template. They should also have an official letterhead and clearly explain why such records are requested. If the request is from someone other than the registrant, the request must state how the records are to be used. They should also produce documents that prove relationship between the requester and registrant.

Other Sources of Birth Records

There are birth records that were recorded before 1913 in Delaware before the Office of Vital Statistics was formed. These records have been gathered from numerous sources such as church and newspaper notices.

You can also find birth records information from census records, cemetery records, obituaries and death records. Marriage records become public information after 50 years after the marriage took place and death records are available as public records after 40 years after date of death. Until then, both types of records are made available to the public through the official channels stated above.

You can get marriage and death records from the official partner sites like GoCertficates and VitalChek. You can also order these records from the Delaware Department of Health from the Office of Vital Statistics. They are also accessible in person from a number of locations across the state. You can also mail a request for these records.

These ideas can be used on how to find birth records in Delaware. Be careful to check spelling variants when it comes to old records. This is because records were spelled phonetically back then.