Find Birth Records in Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County birth records are official state documents maintained by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Established in 1749, Chesterfield County is one of Virginia's most populous counties, forming the southern and western suburbs of Richmond. The county surrounds the independent cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg on its southern edge. Certified birth certificates for births in Chesterfield County are available from the state by mail, online, or in person. The Chesterfield Health District and the county courthouse provide local assistance with applications and research.

Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk

The Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk maintains marriage licenses, land records, probate records, and court files from 1749. 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 the 1853-1896 period on microfilm, though some records may be incomplete due to documented losses in the county's history.

Chesterfield County has grown dramatically in the 20th and 21st centuries as part of the Richmond metropolitan area. The courthouse is on Courthouse Road and handles a large volume of records for one of Virginia's most populous counties. The county's location adjacent to Richmond means that researchers often need to distinguish between Chesterfield County and Richmond city records when studying families from this area.

The Chesterfield County courthouse maintains land, marriage, probate, and court records from 1749 that are used alongside birth registers for genealogical research in the Richmond metropolitan area.

Chesterfield Health District Birth Records

The Chesterfield Health District provides vital records information and assistance to Chesterfield County residents. The district does not issue certified birth certificates directly. Applications go to the state Office of Vital Records in Richmond, which is nearby given the county's location in the Richmond area. Staff can provide application forms, explain required documentation, and answer questions about the process.

The Chesterfield Health District office is on Lucy Corr Circle. The district provides immunizations, maternal and infant health programs, and environmental health services. For residents who prefer to handle the paperwork locally before mailing to Richmond, the health district is a convenient stop.

The Chesterfield Health District provides birth certificate application forms and guidance to Chesterfield County residents seeking certified vital records from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records.

Chesterfield County Public Library

The Chesterfield County Public Library provides genealogy resources for Chesterfield County research. The library system has multiple branches and maintains local history and genealogy collections including access to major online databases.

The Chesterfield County Public Library provides genealogy resources and access to online databases including Ancestry.com Library Edition, which is free to use in-library for all patrons. The library system has multiple branches throughout Chesterfield County.

The Library of Virginia in Richmond, a short drive from most Chesterfield County locations, holds the primary archive for Chesterfield County historical birth records, including birth registers from 1853-1896 on microfilm. The Library is at 800 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Archives: (804) 692-3888.

Chesterfield County Birth Records History

Chesterfield County was established in 1749. Virginia's first statewide birth registration law took effect in 1853. Birth registers from 1853 to 1896 are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia, though some records may be incomplete due to documented losses. Virginia ended registration in 1896, creating a gap until June 14, 1912, when statewide registration resumed and has continued since.

Chesterfield County has a complex history related to its proximity to Richmond and Petersburg, two major Virginia cities that are independent of the county. Researchers studying families from this area often need to check all three jurisdictions: Chesterfield County, Richmond city, and Petersburg city records. The boundaries of these jurisdictions have shifted over time, and a family might appear in different records depending on which side of a boundary line they lived on at any given period.

FamilySearch provides free online access to Virginia Birth Registers, 1853-1911, and Virginia Birth Records, 1912-2015, both including Chesterfield County. Ancestry.com holds digitized Virginia birth records accessible free at Virginia public library branches.

Fees and How to Request a Chesterfield County Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Chesterfield 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. 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, with same-day processing.

Birth records in Virginia are restricted for 100 years. Eligible requesters include the person named, parents, spouse, child, sibling, or grandparent. Valid photo identification is required. Under Virginia Code Section 32.1-272, select DMV locations can also provide certified birth certificate copies.

Nearby Counties

Chesterfield County forms part of the Richmond metropolitan area and borders several surrounding counties. Colonial Heights and Petersburg are independent cities within the county's geographic area.