Vital Records | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/health-statistics-vital-records/vital-records-population-data
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Vital Records | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
Vital Records
In this section:
Adoptee’s Access to Sealed Adoption Records
Order Vital Records
Electronic Death Registration System
Information for Town and City Clerks
Annual Vital Statistics Reports
Vital Records Reporting
Vermont has required towns to report all births, marriages and deaths since 1857. Vital records, particularly birth and death records are used to study and monitor the health of a population. The Vermont vital records system includes eight types of vital events: births, deaths, marriages, civil unions, divorces, dissolutions, fetal deaths and abortions.
Learn more history of the State Vital Registry System
Birth Certificates
Under Vermont law, the attending physician or midwife is responsible for filing a report of birth with the State Registrar within five business days. Once the report of birth is registered in the Statewide Registration System, a copy of the birth certificate can be issued upon application. New parents don't automatically receive a copy of their child's birth certificate. For babies born without a medical professional present, please contact the Vital Records Office via email
[email protected]
or phone at 802-863-7275; toll-free in Vermont at 800-439-5008.
Death Certificates
Although a physician, physician assistant, naturopathic physician or advanced practice registered nurse is responsible for filing the death certificate, the task is often delegated to the funeral director. Most of the information needed to complete the death certificate is obtained from the family of the deceased. However, it must be a physician, physician assistant, naturopathic physician or advanced practice registered nurse who completes and certifies the cause of death information. Once a death record is completed in the
Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS)
, it is registered and the death certificate is available to the town clerks for filing.
Marriage and Civil Union Certificates
Couples planning to marry in Vermont may complete the
Application for Vermont License of Civil Marriage
form online and bring it to any town clerk within Vermont. The clerk issues a license that the couple takes to an officiant. The officiant signs, dates, and returns the license to the town clerk. Then the town clerk records and files the certificate and sends a certified copy to the Health Department.
Civil unions were established in Vermont in 2000 to provide same-sex couples all the benefits, protections and responsibilities under law as are granted to spouses in a marriage. The marriage equality act, effective September 1, 2009 allows same-sex couples to marry in Vermont. This discontinued the need for the separate status of "civil unions." Civil unions created prior to September 1, 2009 continue to be recognized as civil unions.
Divorce and Dissolution Certificates
A record of divorce or record of civil union dissolution is completed by the party starting the divorce or dissolution process and is filed with the court as part of the divorce or dissolution proceedings. The court keeps the record until the decree becomes final, usually three months after the court hearing. When the decree is final, the court clerk signs the record and sends it to the Health Department for filing.
Non-resident couples joined in a Vermont civil union or a Vermont marriage who are legally barred from dissolving the union or marriage in their state of residence may file a complaint for divorce without having to establish residence in Vermont, provided certain criteria are met. For more information, please contact the family division of superior court in the Vermont county where the civil union or marriage certificate was filed:
Vermont Superior Court, Family Division
.
Fetal Deaths and Abortions
Reports of fetal death and induced termination of pregnancy (abortion) are sent directly to the Health Department by the physician, hospital, or clinic that performs the procedure. By law, these reports are for statistical purposes only. They are not public records and are destroyed after two years.
Contact Vital Records
Phone: 800-439-5008 (within VT) or 802-863-7275
Email:
[email protected]
Important Links
Order Vital Records
Order Vital Records
Order certified and noncertified copies of Vermont vital records, find all forms and other vital...
Adoptee’s Access to Sealed Adoption Records
New Adoption Law: Act 100 Beginning July 1, 2023, the following persons may request a...
Information for Town and City Clerks
Links to resources that town and city clerks may use during the course of their...
Annual Vital Statistics Reports
The Vermont vital statistics system monitors vital events in Vermont, including births, deaths, marriages, divorces...
Electronic Death Registration System
The EDRS has increased efficiency in the death reporting process, reducing the time it takes...
Subscribe to Vital Records
Last Updated:
November 13, 2025
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Vital Records
In this section:
Adoptee’s Access to Sealed Adoption Records
Order Vital Records
Electronic Death Registration System
Information for Town and City Clerks
Annual Vital Statistics Reports
Vital Records Reporting
Vermont has required towns to report all births, marriages and deaths since 1857. Vital records, particularly birth and death records are used to study and monitor the health of a population. The Vermont vital records system includes eight types of vital events: births, deaths, marriages, civil unions, divorces, dissolutions, fetal deaths and abortions.
Learn more history of the State Vital Registry System
Birth Certificates
Under Vermont law, the attending physician or midwife is responsible for filing a report of birth with the State Registrar within five business days. Once the report of birth is registered in the Statewide Registration System, a copy of the birth certificate can be issued upon application. New parents don't automatically receive a copy of their child's birth certificate. For babies born without a medical professional present, please contact the Vital Records Office via email
[email protected]
or phone at 802-863-7275; toll-free in Vermont at 800-439-5008.
Death Certificates
Although a physician, physician assistant, naturopathic physician or advanced practice registered nurse is responsible for filing the death certificate, the task is often delegated to the funeral director. Most of the information needed to complete the death certificate is obtained from the family of the deceased. However, it must be a physician, physician assistant, naturopathic physician or advanced practice registered nurse who completes and certifies the cause of death information. Once a death record is completed in the
Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS)
, it is registered and the death certificate is available to the town clerks for filing.
Marriage and Civil Union Certificates
Couples planning to marry in Vermont may complete the
Application for Vermont License of Civil Marriage
form online and bring it to any town clerk within Vermont. The clerk issues a license that the couple takes to an officiant. The officiant signs, dates, and returns the license to the town clerk. Then the town clerk records and files the certificate and sends a certified copy to the Health Department.
Civil unions were established in Vermont in 2000 to provide same-sex couples all the benefits, protections and responsibilities under law as are granted to spouses in a marriage. The marriage equality act, effective September 1, 2009 allows same-sex couples to marry in Vermont. This discontinued the need for the separate status of "civil unions." Civil unions created prior to September 1, 2009 continue to be recognized as civil unions.
Divorce and Dissolution Certificates
A record of divorce or record of civil union dissolution is completed by the party starting the divorce or dissolution process and is filed with the court as part of the divorce or dissolution proceedings. The court keeps the record until the decree becomes final, usually three months after the court hearing. When the decree is final, the court clerk signs the record and sends it to the Health Department for filing.
Non-resident couples joined in a Vermont civil union or a Vermont marriage who are legally barred from dissolving the union or marriage in their state of residence may file a complaint for divorce without having to establish residence in Vermont, provided certain criteria are met. For more information, please contact the family division of superior court in the Vermont county where the civil union or marriage certificate was filed:
Vermont Superior Court, Family Division
.
Fetal Deaths and Abortions
Reports of fetal death and induced termination of pregnancy (abortion) are sent directly to the Health Department by the physician, hospital, or clinic that performs the procedure. By law, these reports are for statistical purposes only. They are not public records and are destroyed after two years.
Contact Vital Records
Phone: 800-439-5008 (within VT) or 802-863-7275
Email:
[email protected]
Important Links
Order Vital Records
Order Vital Records
Order certified and noncertified copies of Vermont vital records, find all forms and other vital...
Adoptee’s Access to Sealed Adoption Records
New Adoption Law: Act 100 Beginning July 1, 2023, the following persons may request a...
Information for Town and City Clerks
Links to resources that town and city clerks may use during the course of their...
Annual Vital Statistics Reports
The Vermont vital statistics system monitors vital events in Vermont, including births, deaths, marriages, divorces...
Electronic Death Registration System
The EDRS has increased efficiency in the death reporting process, reducing the time it takes...
Subscribe to Vital Records
Last Updated:
November 13, 2025