Find Birth Records in Chesapeake

Chesapeake is a large independent city in the Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia, formed in 1963 through the merger of Norfolk County and the independent city of South Norfolk. Birth records for Chesapeake are issued by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond, with local support available through the Chesapeake Health Department and the Chesapeake Public Library system.

Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk

The Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk maintains land records, deed books, marriage records, probate files, and court records for the independent city of Chesapeake. The clerk's office does not issue certified birth certificates. Those come exclusively from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Researchers looking to trace family lines in the area will find the clerk's records essential for building context around birth events.

Chesapeake was formed in 1963 from the consolidation of Norfolk County and the independent city of South Norfolk. Before 1963, the area now covered by Chesapeake was part of Norfolk County. Norfolk County birth registers from the 1853-1896 period are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Researchers tracing families in what is now Chesapeake must search Norfolk County records for any births before 1963. Norfolk County itself had been in existence since 1637, making its records some of the oldest in Virginia. Many of those early records are held at the Library of Virginia and have been partially indexed.

The Chesapeake Public Library system includes several branches with genealogy resources. The central library maintains local history collections that cover Norfolk County and South Norfolk. The library provides access to subscription genealogy databases including Ancestry.com and other resources at no cost. Researchers tracing African American family lines in the Chesapeake area may also find relevant records in Freedmen's Bureau records at the National Archives and in church records from historically Black congregations in the region.

The Chesapeake Circuit Court holds land, marriage, probate, and court records from 1963, with Norfolk County predecessor records available at the Library of Virginia, that researchers use alongside birth registers for genealogical research.

The City of Chesapeake website provides access to city services, court information, and resources for residents requesting vital records.

Chesapeake Health Department Birth Records

Chesapeake has its own health department, which is part of the Virginia Department of Health system. The Chesapeake Health Department is located at 748 Battlefield Boulevard North in Chesapeake and provides a range of public health services to city residents. Unlike many localities that are served by regional health districts, Chesapeake has a standalone city health department given its large population. The department can help residents understand the birth records request process and provide guidance on eligibility and required documentation. The department does not issue certified birth certificates. All certified copies must be ordered from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond.

The Chesapeake Health Department also handles delayed birth registration cases, where a birth that occurred in Chesapeake (or in the former Norfolk County area) was never formally registered. Staff can explain what documents are needed to support a delayed registration application and how to submit that application to the state office. This is particularly relevant for older residents or researchers working on pre-1963 records from the Norfolk County period.

The Chesapeake Health Department also provides immunizations, maternal health programs, and other public health services.

Chesapeake Birth Records History

Virginia's statewide birth registration system started in 1853. Records from that year through 1896 are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. The system broke down after 1896, leaving a gap in statewide records until June 14, 1912. For births in the Norfolk County area during that gap, church records and census data are the main alternatives. The area now covered by Chesapeake had active Methodist, Baptist, and other churches that kept membership and baptism records, some of which survive at the Library of Virginia or with local congregations.

Norfolk County's records stretch back to 1637, making them among the oldest surviving county records in Virginia. The county clerk maintained deed books, will books, and order books for centuries, and many of those records are indexed and available at the Library of Virginia. Researchers tracing families in what is now Chesapeake should also note that the city of South Norfolk, which was one of the two jurisdictions that merged to form Chesapeake, maintained its own records from 1919 until 1963. Those South Norfolk records are now held by the Chesapeake Circuit Court.

FamilySearch.org has digitized many Virginia birth records from the 1853-1896 period and has indexed portions of Norfolk County's records. Ancestry.com holds additional Virginia collections. Both can be accessed free at Chesapeake Public Library branches. The Chesapeake central library's local history collection includes city directories, newspaper archives from the Norfolk area going back to the 19th century, and compiled family histories specific to the Norfolk County region.

Fees and How to Request a Chesapeake Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Chesapeake births are issued by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The fee is $12 per copy under Virginia Code Title 32.1. Online orders can be placed through the state system or through VitalChek. Mail applications go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1000. Walk-in service is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Birth records are restricted for 100 years and require valid photo identification from eligible family members.

Nearby Cities

Chesapeake is surrounded by other Hampton Roads independent cities in southeast Virginia.