Find Birth Records in Dinwiddie County

Dinwiddie 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 1752 in southeastern Virginia, with Dinwiddie as the county seat. The county surrounds the independent city of Petersburg on three sides and has been closely linked to that city's history throughout its existence. Certified birth certificates for births in Dinwiddie County are available from the state by mail, online, or in person. The Crater Health District and the county courthouse provide local assistance with applications and record requests.

Dinwiddie County Circuit Court Clerk

The Dinwiddie County Circuit Court Clerk maintains marriage licenses, land records, probate records, and court files from 1752. 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, which are the primary official source for Dinwiddie County births from that era.

Dinwiddie County surrounds Petersburg, an independent city with its own record system. If you are researching a birth and are unsure whether it occurred in Dinwiddie County or within Petersburg city limits, check both records. The courthouse in Dinwiddie on P.O. Box 78 is south of Petersburg off Route 1. Records are available during regular business hours, and staff can help locate specific documents.

Crater Health District Birth Records

The Crater Health District serves Dinwiddie County along with Brunswick, Greensville, Prince George, Sussex, Surry counties, and the cities of Emporia, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg. The district provides birth certificate application forms and guidance on submitting requests to the state. It does not issue certified birth certificates. Applications go to the Office of Vital Records in Richmond.

The Crater Health District also provides immunizations, maternal health programs, and other public health services. For Dinwiddie County residents who need a paper application form or guidance, the health district office is a local resource. Phone: (804) 862-8980.

Dinwiddie County Birth Records History

Dinwiddie County was established in 1752. Virginia's statewide birth registration law took effect in 1853. Birth registers from 1853 to 1896 are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Virginia ended registration in 1896, creating a gap until June 14, 1912, when statewide registration resumed.

Dinwiddie County's location near Petersburg makes it significant for Civil War genealogical research. The siege of Petersburg (1864-1865) was one of the longest in American history, and much of the fighting took place in what is now Dinwiddie County. Records from this period may be incomplete. For births before 1853, church records and estate inventories are the primary sources. The Library of Virginia can help identify surviving church records and manuscript collections for Dinwiddie County.

FamilySearch provides free access to Virginia Birth Registers, 1853-1911, and Virginia Birth Records, 1912-2015, both including Dinwiddie County. The Virginia Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866, is also available on FamilySearch and is relevant for researchers tracing African American Dinwiddie County families given the county's significant enslaved population before emancipation.

Fees and How to Request a Dinwiddie County Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Dinwiddie 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. Birth records are restricted for 100 years and require valid photo identification from eligible family members.

Nearby Counties

Dinwiddie County surrounds Petersburg city and borders several southeastern Virginia counties.