Bland County Birth Records Search

Bland County birth records are official state documents maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. The county was established in 1861 in southwestern Virginia, carved out of Tazewell, Giles, and Wythe counties. Like several southwestern Virginia counties, Bland experienced some record losses over its history, so researchers should be prepared for gaps in older materials. Certified birth certificates for births in Bland County are available from the state by mail, online, or in person. The Mount Rogers Health District and the county courthouse in Bland can provide local assistance.

Bland County Circuit Court Clerk

The Bland County Circuit Court Clerk maintains marriage licenses, land records, probate records, and court files. The clerk does not issue certified birth certificates. For births from June 14, 1912 to the present, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. The courthouse holds historical birth and death registers from 1853 to 1896 on microfilm, though some records may be incomplete due to documented record losses in the county's history.

Bland County was formed in 1861 from Tazewell, Giles, and Wythe counties. If you are researching births or family events before 1861, check the parent county records. Tazewell County in particular has extensive older records at the Library of Virginia that cover much of southwestern Virginia before Bland County was formed. Researchers working on pre-Bland families often need to look at all three parent county collections.

The Bland County courthouse in Bland holds land, marriage, probate, and court records from 1861 that researchers use for genealogical work alongside birth registers from the 1853-1896 registration period.

Mount Rogers Health District Birth Records

The Mount Rogers Health District serves Bland County along with Carroll County, Floyd County, Grayson County, Smyth County, Washington County, Wythe County, and the city of Galax. The district provides birth certificate application forms and guidance on submitting requests to the state Office of Vital Records. The district does not issue certified birth certificates. Completed applications and fees go to Richmond.

The Mount Rogers Health District also provides immunizations, maternal health programs, family planning, and environmental health services. For Bland County residents who need a paper application form, the nearest health district office can provide that and help with questions about the process.

The Mount Rogers Health District serves Bland County and provides application forms and guidance for residents seeking birth certificates from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records.

Bland County Birth Records History

Bland County was established in 1861, just as Virginia was entering the Civil War. The county is small and mountainous, and its record-keeping history has been affected by the same challenges that faced many southwestern Virginia counties during that era. Virginia's first statewide birth registration law took effect in 1853, before Bland County existed, so any births in the area from 1853 to 1861 would appear in the parent county registers for Tazewell, Giles, or Wythe. Bland County birth registers from 1861 to 1896 are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia, though some records may be incomplete.

Virginia ended its birth registration requirement in 1896. From 1897 through June 13, 1912, no statewide system existed for recording births. Bland County is rural and lightly populated, and few unofficial records survive from this gap period. Church records from the Methodist, Baptist, and other congregations that served the area are among the best alternatives. Some of these have been transcribed and are held at local churches or at the Smyth-Bland Regional Library.

Statewide registration resumed June 14, 1912, and records have been maintained since then. For births before 1853, the parent county records and church registers are the primary resources. The Library of Virginia can direct researchers to the right collections for pre-Bland research in the Tazewell, Giles, and Wythe county archives.

Research Tools for Bland Birth Records

The Library of Virginia holds Bland County birth registers on microfilm for the applicable 1853-1896 period. The Library also holds parent county records from Tazewell, Giles, and Wythe that cover the pre-Bland period. Microfilm reels can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan from your local public library. The Library is at 800 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The Archives reference desk is at (804) 692-3888.

FamilySearch provides free online access to Virginia Birth Registers, 1853-1911, and Virginia Birth Records, 1912-2015, both including Bland County entries. FamilySearch is searchable at no cost online. Ancestry.com also holds digitized Virginia birth records and is accessible free at Virginia public library branches.

The Smyth-Bland Regional Library system serves Bland County and can help researchers access genealogy databases and local history collections. Staff there can assist with finding materials related to Bland County families and direct you to other resources in the region.

Fees and How to Request a Bland County Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Bland County 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, applied statewide.

Online orders can be placed through the state system or through VitalChek. Online requests process in 2-5 business days before shipping. Mail applications go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1000 and take about 2-4 weeks. Walk-in service is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For Bland County residents, mail or online ordering is the most practical option given the distance from Richmond.

Virginia birth records are restricted for 100 years. Eligible requesters include the person named, parents, spouse, child, sibling, or grandparent. Legal guardians with documented custody also qualify. Valid photo identification is required with all requests.

Nearby Counties

Bland County was formed from Tazewell, Giles, and Wythe counties in 1861 and borders several southwestern Virginia counties.