Colonial Heights Birth Records

Colonial Heights is an independent city in the Crater region of central Virginia, established in 1948 from Chesterfield County, located across the Appomattox River from Petersburg. Birth records for Colonial Heights are issued by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond, and the Crater Health District serves the city for public health matters.

Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk

The Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk maintains land records, marriage records, probate files, and court documents for the independent city. The clerk does not issue certified birth certificates. Those must come from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. For researchers trying to build a full family history, the clerk's records provide important supporting documentation alongside official birth registers.

Colonial Heights became an independent city in 1948, carved from Chesterfield County. Any birth in the area before 1948 falls under Chesterfield County records. Chesterfield County is one of Virginia's older counties, formed in 1749, and its circuit court holds deed books, will books, marriage registers, and order books covering families in what is now Colonial Heights going back to the mid-1700s. Those records are held at the Chesterfield County Circuit Court in Chesterfield Court House and on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. The city sits on land that was part of Chesterfield County for roughly 200 years before becoming an independent jurisdiction.

The Colonial Heights Public Library has local history materials relevant to the city and the surrounding Chesterfield County area. The library provides access to genealogy databases including Ancestry.com at no cost. The nearby Petersburg Public Library also has substantial genealogy collections covering the region, and researchers tracing families in Colonial Heights often check both libraries. African American family researchers in the area may find Freedmen's Bureau records at the National Archives particularly useful for post-Civil War lineages, as this area saw significant activity during the war and Reconstruction.

The Colonial Heights Circuit Court holds land, marriage, probate, and court records from 1948 that researchers use alongside birth registers for genealogical research.

The Colonial Heights city website provides access to city services, court information, and resources for residents seeking vital records.

Crater Health District Birth Records

The Crater Health District serves Colonial Heights and a broad swath of south-central Virginia, including Petersburg, Hopewell, Emporia, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, and Brunswick. The district office can help residents find the right forms and understand the process for requesting birth records from the state. The Crater Health District does not issue certified birth certificates. All certified copies must be requested from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond.

For residents who need to register a birth that was never recorded, the Crater Health District staff can explain the delayed registration process and the types of documentation the state requires. The district covers a large rural region in addition to the urban centers, and staff are experienced with records questions from across the service area. Colonial Heights residents who need help with birth records matters can contact the district for guidance.

The Crater Health District also provides immunizations, maternal health programs, and other public health services.

Colonial Heights Birth Records History

Virginia started its statewide birth registration system in 1853. Records from 1853 through 1896 are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. The coverage during that period was uneven, and some births were never recorded. Virginia has a gap in statewide birth records from 1896 through June 14, 1912, when a new registration system was put in place. For births during those years in the Colonial Heights and Chesterfield County area, church records, census data, and court documents are the main substitutes. Several historic churches in the area maintained baptism registers that survive and can be accessed through the Library of Virginia or local congregations.

Because Colonial Heights only became an independent city in 1948, all prior records are Chesterfield County records. Chesterfield County was formed in 1749, and its history includes the colonial period, the Revolutionary War, and significant Civil War activity. The area around Colonial Heights and Petersburg saw some of the war's final campaigns, and many records from that era reflect the disruption of that time. Researchers tracing families through the Civil War period may find gaps in both civil registration and church records. Post-war Freedmen's Bureau records can help fill those gaps for African American family lines.

FamilySearch.org provides free access to Virginia birth records from 1853-1896 and has indexed portions of Chesterfield County records. Ancestry.com holds additional Virginia and Chesterfield County collections. Both services can be accessed free at the Colonial Heights Public Library. The Chesterfield County Historical Society has published indexes and family histories relevant to the broader county area, including the communities that became Colonial Heights.

Fees and How to Request a Colonial Heights Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Colonial Heights 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

Colonial Heights sits just across the Appomattox River from Petersburg and is close to other cities in the Crater region.