Find Birth Records in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County birth records from 1912 onward are held by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Older records from 1853 to 1896 are preserved through the Library of Virginia. The Westmoreland County Circuit Court Clerk in Montross maintains local court documents and land records but does not issue certified birth certificates. This guide covers where to request records, what to expect, and how to search historical Westmoreland County birth data.

Westmoreland County Circuit Court Clerk

The Westmoreland County Circuit Court Clerk is located at the courthouse in Montross. The office handles local court filings, marriage licenses, and land records. Staff are available to help with questions about county records, though certified birth certificates must be requested through the state vital records office, not the local clerk.

You can reach the clerk by phone at (804) 493-0132. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1000, Montross, VA 22520. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The county website at westmoreland-county.org has additional contact information and links to county services.

The Westmoreland County website lists details for county departments, including the clerk's office. The image below shows the county site as captured during research.

The site provides phone numbers, mailing addresses, and hours for county departments including the Circuit Court Clerk.

Three Rivers Health District

Westmoreland County is served by the Three Rivers Health District, the local arm of the Virginia Department of Health covering the Northern Neck region. The district does not issue birth certificates directly, but it supports public health services in this part of the state. Residents with questions about local health resources or vital records guidance can contact the district for direction.

For certified birth certificate copies, the request still goes to the state office in Richmond. The Three Rivers district covers counties along the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers and provides a useful local contact point for health-related questions.

Westmoreland County Birth Records History

Westmoreland County is one of Virginia's oldest counties, established in 1653. It is known as the birthplace of George Washington and Robert E. Lee, two figures whose own early vital records fall within this county's historical record range. Virginia began statewide birth registration in 1853, and Westmoreland County kept registers from that year until the law lapsed in 1896.

The county registers from 1853 to 1896 were eventually transferred to state custody and are now held by the Library of Virginia. Researchers can access those early registers on microfilm at the library's reading room in Richmond. The library's birth records research guide explains how the records are organized and how to search them.

From 1897 through 1911, Virginia had no statewide birth recording law in effect. This means Westmoreland County births during those years may have no official record unless a church register or family Bible entry exists. Researchers sometimes find useful data in church records, cemetery registers, and county tax lists for this gap period.

Statewide recording resumed on June 14, 1912. All Westmoreland County births from that date forward are on file with the Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Under current law, birth records become open to the public 100 years after the birth date.

Online Research Resources

The FamilySearch Virginia vital records wiki is a good place to start for Westmoreland County research. It documents what has been digitized, what is on microfilm, and where records are held. The site is free and has been adding Virginia county-level records steadily over the years.

The Library of Virginia genealogy guide covers the full range of Virginia vital records and offers finding aids for county-specific materials. The library also maintains a dedicated birth records guide that explains what survives from each era and how to access it. Both guides are worth reviewing before making a records request.

For official certified copies, the CDC vital records page for Virginia confirms the correct mailing address and fee. Online orders can be placed through VitalChek, which handles Virginia birth certificate requests for the state. VitalChek offers expedited processing and delivery options for an additional charge.

Fees and How to Request Westmoreland County Birth Records

Each certified copy of a birth certificate costs $12.00 through the Virginia Department of Health. You can submit a request online via VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Richmond office. Payment can be made by check, money order, credit card, mobile pay, or cash when visiting in person. Checks and money orders should be payable to the State Health Department.

Mail requests to: VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Walk-in requests go to 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Hours for walk-in service are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Drop-offs after 2:00 PM count as received the next business day. Call (804) 662-6200 to reach the Customer Care Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Under Virginia Code 32.1-269, access is limited to immediate family members: mother, father, spouse, child, sibling, and grandparent. A legal guardian may also request a record with proof of custody. Cousins, aunts, uncles, and in-laws are not eligible for certified copies under state law. Records 100 years old or older are open to the public without restriction under Virginia Code 32.1-272.

Nearby Counties

Westmoreland County sits on the Northern Neck of Virginia and borders several other counties, all of which use the same state vital records system for birth certificate requests.

Richmond County | Northumberland County | King George County | Stafford County