Find Birth Records in Accomack County

Accomack County birth records are official state documents maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. The county sits on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, separated from the mainland by the Chesapeake Bay. Certified copies of birth certificates for births that occurred in Accomack County can be requested online, by mail, or in person at the state office. Local resources on the Eastern Shore can help with forms, historical research, and older records that go back to the county's founding in 1663.

Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk

The Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk maintains historical records related to births, marriages, land ownership, and probate. For births from June 14, 1912 to the present, certified copies come from the state Office of Vital Records. But the courthouse holds important older records, including birth registers from the 1853-1896 period that were kept at the county level before the state gap years.

Records at the courthouse include marriage licenses from the county's founding, land deeds, will books, probate files, and circuit court case files. Staff can assist researchers in locating materials but do not conduct genealogical research for patrons. You should call ahead to confirm availability of specific records before making the trip across the bay.

Copy fees at the courthouse are $0.50 per page for plain copies and $2.00 per document for certified copies. Cash, check, and money orders are accepted. These fees apply to courthouse records only and are separate from the $12 state fee charged by the Office of Vital Records for certified birth certificates.

Eastern Shore Health District Birth Records

The Eastern Shore Health District serves both Accomack and Northampton counties. The district does not issue certified birth certificates directly. Applications must be submitted to the state Office of Vital Records in Richmond. However, district staff can provide application forms, answer questions about the process, and help ensure your application is completed correctly before you submit it.

The Eastern Shore Health District also provides public health services including immunizations and maternal health programs. If you need a birth certificate application form and cannot access the state website, the health district is a convenient local option.

The Eastern Shore Health District provides birth certificate application forms and guidance for Accomack County residents seeking to obtain official vital records from the state.

Accomack County Birth Records History

Accomack County has one of the oldest courthouse records collections in Virginia. The county was established in 1663, and its records reflect centuries of history on the Eastern Shore. Systematic birth registration in Virginia began in 1853 under a statewide law passed by the General Assembly. Counties collected birth data and submitted it annually. Accomack County birth registers from 1853-1896 are held on microfilm at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.

In 1896, the statewide registration law was repealed. For 15 years, from 1897 to 1911, no state requirement existed for tracking births. Accomack County was among the localities that did not maintain birth records during this gap period. Statewide registration resumed on June 14, 1912, and the state has maintained continuous records since then.

Researchers looking for Accomack County births before 1853 or during the 1897-1911 gap must rely on alternative sources. Church records, family Bible entries, cemetery inscriptions, and wills are the main options for births outside the official registration periods. The historical society and local library both hold collections that can help fill in the gaps.

Note: Births that occurred in Accomack County and were never registered can sometimes be documented through a delayed birth certificate process. Contact the Office of Vital Records for information on what evidence is required.

Research Tools for Accomack Birth Records

Several resources are available for researching birth records in Accomack County, both in person on the Eastern Shore and through online platforms.

The Library of Virginia is the principal archive for historical birth records in Accomack County. Its birth index covers 1853-1896 and is arranged alphabetically by surname. Each entry includes the child's name, parents' names, birth date, county, and register page number. The Library is at 800 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219, with the Archives reference desk at 804-692-3888. Microfilm reels can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan, which means your local Eastern Shore library can request specific reels without you needing to travel to Richmond.

The Eastern Shore Public Library in Accomac offers genealogy resources including access to Ancestry.com Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, local history collections, and microfilm of Eastern Shore newspapers.

The Eastern Shore Public Library is located at 23610 Front Street, Accomac, VA 23301. Phone: (757) 787-3400. The library maintains a local history and genealogy collection focused on Accomack and Northampton counties. In-library access to Ancestry.com is available for free. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry's Virginia collections at home through the Finditva.com program using a Virginia public library card.

FamilySearch provides free online access to Virginia birth records including Virginia Birth Registers, 1853-1911, and Virginia Birth Records, 1912-2015. These collections include Accomack County entries. FamilySearch also holds the Virginia Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866, which is relevant for researchers working on African American ancestry in Accomack County, given the county's long history as a farming and waterman community.

The Library of Virginia's genealogy guide provides detailed instructions for locating Accomack County records across multiple collections and time periods. This is a good starting point for any genealogy research in the county.

Fees and How to Request an Accomack County Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for births in Accomack County are issued by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The state charges $12 per copy. This fee is set by state law under Virginia Code Title 32.1 and applies regardless of where in Virginia the birth occurred.

You can order online through the state's system or through VitalChek, which is the state's authorized third-party ordering service. Online orders process in 2-5 business days before shipping. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1000 and take 2-4 weeks. Walk-in service at the Richmond office at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100 is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with same-day processing.

Under Virginia Code Section 32.1-272, select DMV locations can also issue certified copies of birth certificates. Call ahead to confirm which locations offer this service. The CDC's guide to Virginia vital records confirms the $12 fee and provides additional instructions for out-of-state requesters.

Birth records in Virginia are restricted for 100 years. Only immediate family members, including parents, spouse, child, sibling, and grandparent, can request a restricted birth certificate. Legal guardians with proof of custody also qualify. Valid identification is required with every request.

Nearby Counties

Accomack County shares the Eastern Shore peninsula with one neighboring county. The county is accessible from mainland Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.