Surry County Birth Records Search

Surry 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 1652 on the south side of the James River in southeastern Virginia, with Surry as its county seat. Surry County is one of the older Virginia counties and is known for Bacon's Castle, one of the oldest surviving brick structures in colonial America. The Surry Nuclear Power Station is located in the county. Certified birth certificates for births in Surry County are available from the state by mail, online, or in person. The Western Tidewater Health District and the county courthouse in Surry provide local assistance with applications and historical birth record research.

Surry County Circuit Court Clerk

The Surry County Circuit Court Clerk maintains marriage licenses, land records, probate records, and court files from 1652. 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 Surry County births from that era.

Surry County was formed from James City County in 1652 and is one of Virginia's older counties. Sussex County was later carved from Surry in 1754. For births before 1652 in what is now Surry County, James City County records are the starting point. The courthouse in Surry holds deed books, will books, and court order books from 1652 forward. Surry County's records have generally survived well, partly because of its geographic isolation on the south side of the James River away from major Civil War campaigns.

Surry County is notable for Bacon's Castle, built in 1665, which is the oldest documented brick structure in English North America. The county's colonial history is closely tied to the development of the Virginia Tidewater plantation system. Many of Virginia's earliest families held land in Surry County, and the county's records are an important resource for colonial genealogy. The Virginia Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866, on FamilySearch covers Surry County entries for researchers tracing African American families.

The Surry County courthouse holds land, marriage, probate, and court records from 1652 that researchers use alongside birth registers for genealogical research in this southeastern Virginia county.

The Surry County courthouse provides access to records from 1652, with deed books, will books, and court order books from one of Virginia's older counties that complement the birth register collection for genealogical research.

Western Tidewater Health District Birth Records

The Western Tidewater Health District serves Surry County along with Isle of Wight and Southampton counties and the cities of Franklin and Suffolk in southeastern Virginia. The district provides birth certificate application forms and guidance on the state submission process. It does not issue certified birth certificates. Applications go to the Office of Vital Records in Richmond.

The Western Tidewater Health District also provides immunizations, maternal health programs, and other public health services. For Surry County residents who need a paper application form or guidance on the birth certificate process, the health district office is the local resource.

Surry County Birth Records History

Surry County was established in 1652. 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. Church records from the Episcopal, Baptist, and other denominations that served the county are the main alternatives for both the pre-registration and gap periods.

Surry County's colonial-era records make it possible to trace many families back to the mid-17th century. The Anglican/Episcopal parishes that served Surry County from its founding maintained baptism registers, and some of those records survive. Because Sussex County was formed from Surry County in 1754, researchers looking for births in the Sussex area before that date should search Surry County records. The Library of Virginia holds Surry County microfilm for both the courthouse records and the 1853-1896 birth registers.

FamilySearch provides free online access to Virginia Birth Registers, 1853-1911, and Virginia Birth Records, 1912-2015, both including Surry County entries. Ancestry.com holds digitized Virginia birth records accessible free at Virginia public library branches. For pre-1652 births in the Surry area, James City County records at the Library of Virginia are the primary resource.

Fees and How to Request a Surry County Birth Certificate

All certified birth certificates for Surry 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

Surry County is on the south side of the James River in southeastern Virginia, bordered by several surrounding counties.