Wise County Birth Records

Wise County birth records from 1912 to the present are available through the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The Wise County Circuit Court Clerk in Wise handles local court files and land records but does not issue certified birth certificates. Older birth registers from the 1853-1896 period are preserved through the Library of Virginia. This page explains how to get a certified copy, what the fees are, and where to search historical Wise County birth data.

Wise County Circuit Court Clerk

The Wise County Circuit Court Clerk is at the courthouse in the town of Wise. The office handles court filings, marriage licenses, deed recordings, and other county records. For certified birth certificates, you need to contact the state Office of Vital Records in Richmond rather than the local clerk. The clerk can help with questions about other county records and may be able to point you in the right direction if you need local information.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293. You can reach the office at (276) 328-9361. The county courts website at wisecountycourts.org has court docket information and additional contact details.

Note: The Wise County Circuit Court Clerk does not issue certified birth certificates. Those requests go directly to the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond.

Cumberland Plateau Health District

Wise County is part of the Cumberland Plateau Health District, which serves the far southwest corner of Virginia. The district is a regional arm of the Virginia Department of Health and supports local public health programs throughout the area. While the district does not directly issue birth certificates, it works within the state vital records system and can offer guidance to residents who need help navigating the process.

The Cumberland Plateau district covers Wise County along with neighboring counties in the coal-mining region of southwestern Virginia. Residents can contact the district for local health services, immunization records, and referrals. For certified birth record copies, the request still routes through the state office in Richmond.

The Cumberland Plateau Health District site lists local offices, phone numbers, and services available in this part of the state.

Wise County Birth Records History

Wise County was formed in 1856 from parts of Lee, Scott, and Russell Counties. Its birth registration history follows Virginia's statewide pattern. When the General Assembly required county-level birth recording starting in 1853, Wise County was in its early years. The county kept birth registers through 1896, when the recording law was repealed.

Those early Wise County registers from 1853-1896 are now on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Researchers working on southwestern Virginia family histories often find useful detail in these records, including parents' names, dates, and sometimes the name of a physician or midwife. The Library of Virginia birth records guide explains how to access these microfilm collections, either in person in Richmond or through interlibrary loan at some locations.

From 1897 to 1911, no state law required birth recording. Births from that gap period in Wise County may appear only in church records, cemetery registers, or family documents. After June 14, 1912, all Virginia births were recorded statewide through what is now the Office of Vital Records. Records 100 years old or older are public under Virginia law.

The state image below was captured from the Virginia Department of Health vital records portal during research for this page.

The VDH portal at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records is the official entry point for ordering certified Virginia birth certificates, including those for Wise County births.

Online Research Resources

The FamilySearch Virginia vital records wiki is a useful starting point for Wise County genealogy research. The site documents what records are digitized and what is still on microfilm. Many Virginia county registers from the 1853-1896 period have been scanned and indexed, making it faster to search without a trip to Richmond.

The Library of Virginia genealogy guide covers all Virginia vital records in detail and links to finding aids for specific counties. Their birth records guide explains the historical background of Virginia's registration system and how to find records from each era. The library also helps researchers identify what church and family records might fill gaps from 1897 to 1911.

For certified copies, the CDC vital records page for Virginia lists the correct mailing address and current fee. Online orders can be placed through VitalChek, the authorized third-party processor for Virginia birth certificate requests.

Fees and Request Methods

Certified Wise County birth certificates cost $12.00 per copy through the Virginia Department of Health. There are three ways to submit a request: online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Richmond office. Each certified copy costs the same regardless of method, though VitalChek charges an additional service fee for online orders.

Mail requests to: VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Include a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order made payable to the State Health Department. Walk-in service is available at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requests dropped off after 2:00 PM are counted as received the following business day. Reach the Customer Care Center at (804) 662-6200, open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Under Virginia Code 32.1-269, only immediate family members can obtain certified copies. This includes the person named on the record, their parents, spouse, children, siblings, and grandparents. A legal guardian can also request with proof of custody. Records that are 100 years old or older are open to the public without restriction, as established by Virginia Code 32.1-272.

Nearby Counties

Wise County is surrounded by other southwestern Virginia counties, all of which use the same state system for birth record requests through the Virginia Department of Health.

Lee County | Scott County | Russell County | Dickenson County | Buchanan County