Access Hampton, Virginia Birth Records

Birth records for Hampton, Virginia are issued by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Hampton became an independent city in 1908 when it absorbed Elizabeth City County, and records from the predecessor county are also held at the Library of Virginia for the period before statewide registration.

Hampton Circuit Court Clerk

The Hampton Circuit Court Clerk's office holds records for the City of Hampton from 1908 onward. The clerk maintains land records, marriage licenses, probate files, and circuit court case files. Because Hampton absorbed Elizabeth City County in 1908, the city's records effectively carry forward from the county's long history. Researchers will find that the Hampton court holds some records that trace back through the county era. The clerk's office is the right starting point for any Hampton-specific research after 1908.

Before 1908, records for this area fall under Elizabeth City County. Elizabeth City County was one of the original shires of colonial Virginia, established in 1634. Its records are among the older county records in the state, though many were lost to fire, war, and decay over the centuries. What survives of Elizabeth City County records is held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, and some materials are also at the Virginia State Archives. Researchers tracing Hampton families back into the 1800s or earlier should plan to work with both the Library of Virginia and the Hampton city court.

The Hampton Public Library at hampton.gov/library has a genealogy section with local history materials, city directories, and newspaper archives. The library can be a useful complement to the official court records. The Hampton University library also holds important collections related to African American history in the Hampton Roads region, which can be especially relevant for researchers tracing families who were enslaved or who were among the freedmen who settled in Hampton after the Civil War. Fort Monroe in Hampton was a major refuge for escaped enslaved people during the war and played a significant role in early African American community formation in the area.

The City of Hampton Circuit Court holds land, marriage, probate, and court records that researchers use alongside birth registers.

Hampton Circuit Court holds records tracing back through Elizabeth City County's long history.

Peninsula Health District Birth Records

The Peninsula Health District serves Hampton along with Newport News, James City County, York County, and the City of Williamsburg. The district office is located at 3130 Victoria Boulevard in Hampton and can assist residents with questions about birth certificate requests and vital records procedures. The district does not hold or issue certified birth certificates. All certified copies must come from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond.

Births at Hampton area hospitals are registered with the state within a few days of delivery. Once the state processes the registration, parents can request certified copies through the online portal, by mail, or by visiting the state office in Richmond in person. The Peninsula Health District office can help residents who have questions about delayed registrations, amended certificates, or the process for adding a father's name to a birth record. Those procedures all go through the state office, but the local district staff can help explain what documentation is needed.

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

Hampton Birth Records History

Hampton's predecessor, Elizabeth City County, was one of Virginia's original shires established in 1634. The county maintained records through centuries of colonial and early American history, though fires and war destroyed many of them. Birth registers for Elizabeth City County from 1853 to 1896 are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. These early registers are part of a partial registration effort that predated the state's mandatory registration system in 1912. Coverage in these registers is uneven and some years are missing entirely.

The Civil War significantly affected Hampton and the surrounding area. Hampton itself was largely burned in 1861 to prevent Union forces from using the town. Records and personal documents were lost in the destruction. Union forces occupied Fort Monroe and the surrounding area throughout the war, and the area became a major destination for escaped enslaved people seeking freedom. This migration resulted in a large African American community in Hampton that produced its own institutions and records. Freedmen's Bureau records from the 1865 to 1872 period are held at the National Archives and can be searched online through the Freedmen's Bureau archives project.

FamilySearch.org has free access to Virginia vital record collections, including Elizabeth City County records from the 1800s. Ancestry.com also hosts these materials. For births after 1908 in the City of Hampton, the state vital records system is the primary source. The Hampton Public Library's genealogy collection and the Hampton University archives are both valuable resources for research into the area's African American history and the records of communities that are often underrepresented in official vital records from the 19th century.

Fees and How to Request a Hampton Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Hampton 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

Hampton is in the Hampton Roads region on the Virginia Peninsula, close to Newport News, Williamsburg, and several other cities across the water.