by Ben Kingsley
If you are interested in obtaining public documents in Washington DC, there are specific steps you need to take in order to access the District of Columbia public records you want without difficulties. There are procedures that every individual requesting a certified copy of a public document must observe. Like in every state in the country, Washington DC deals with vital documents, such as birth certificates, death reports, marriage licenses and divorce decrees, with great care and consideration. And although these types of data are generally accessible by any member of the public, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, policies must still be put in place to protect the well being of every citizen.
If you wish to acquire a copy of your birth certificate or a family member's death report, for instance, the Vital Records Division in Washington DC has the capacity to disseminate these kinds of documents to the general public. Under the authority of the District of Columbia's Department of Health, the Vital Records Division houses records of birth and death since August of 1874. Birth certificates only become open to the public 100 years after the listed date of birth, while 50 years is the allotted time for death certificates before they can be accessed by any individual. Only the next of kin can obtain copies of the documents at any given time.
To obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate or a death report, you must complete the appropriate request form, which can be obtained in person at the office of the Vital Records Division or via online download at the District of Columbia Department of Health's official website. Just look for a link labeled "Vital Records" on the website's homepage. In the vital records page, you will find a downloadable PDF application, as well as additional information regarding the proper procedures, requirements and application fees.
On the other hand, if you are interested in marriage certificates and divorce decrees, the Vital Records Division unfortunately has no authority to disclose these types of documents. The DC Superior Court is the main entity that houses and disseminates these kinds of files. Requesting access to a marriage certificate or a divorce decree will require a different kind of application form, which you can pick up at the district court offices. You can also download the form in PDF format at their website. This is also where marriage licenses can be requested, for those of you who are planning to get married in Washington DC.
There is, however, an alternative source of vital documents that is much more convenient and practical, especially for those performing background checks. If you are running a public records search online, there are several data retrieval websites that cater to your specific needs. All it requires is a one-time membership fee and you are free to do as many record searches as you want. With an extensive database of vital records, from Alabama to Wyoming, including the District of Columbia and the nation's territories from Guam to the Virgin Islands, you will never have to visit multiple websites or contact a variety of offices and entities to gather the information you need.
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