Federal center · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NCHS collects and publishes national health statistics. Its “Where to Write for Vital Records” directory helps users locate the issuing authority, but the federal government does not distribute identifiable birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates.
What NCHS manages
- National health surveys, statistical systems, research data, reports, and analysis.
- The National Vital Statistics System, which works with jurisdictions that register births and deaths.
- The federal “Where to Write for Vital Records” directory for states, territories, New York City, and certain special categories.
- General application guidelines for locating and requesting vital records from the responsible jurisdiction.
What NCHS does not issue
- NCHS does not issue certified copies of birth, death, marriage, or divorce records.
- NCHS does not decide who may obtain a particular record.
- NCHS does not set every jurisdiction’s fee, identification rule, application method, or processing time.
- NCHS is not the issuing office for apostilles, court orders, or passport records.
Request a certificate from the state, territory, city, county, court, or other authority that holds the record. Confirm current instructions on that authority’s official website before paying or mailing documents.
Official public channels
- National Center for Health Statistics
- About NCHS
- Where to Write for Vital Records
- Vital-record application guidelines
- National Vital Statistics System