Difference Between Vital Records and Public Records Explained

You’re filling out a form on a site, applying for a passport, maybe even diving into family history documentation, when you hit that confusing question:

“Please submit your public record or vital record…”

Wait… aren’t those the same thing?

Not exactly. Let’s break it down once and for all.

What Are Vital Records?

Vital records are official government documents that record major life events. Think of them as the receipts for being born, getting married, or dying.

Examples of Vital Records:

• Birth certificates
• Death certificates
• Marriage licenses
• Divorce decrees

These records are:

• Issued by state or local health departments
• Often private or restricted access
• Required for legal stuff like ID, benefits, travel, and more

You usually need to prove your identity to get a copy, and they’re not just floating around online for anyone to see.

What Are Public Records?

Public records are a much broader category. They include information collected and maintained by government agencies that is (mostly) accessible to the public.

Examples of Public Records:

• Property deeds
• Court records
• Business licenses
• Criminal records
• Bankruptcies
• Voting registrations
• Some marriage/divorce info

While some of these can be sensitive, many are searchable online or accessible through government websites. Public records exist to maintain transparency, like knowing who owns what property or who filed what lawsuit.

Quick Comparison: Difference Between Vital Records and Public Records

Why Does the Difference Matter?

For Identity Verification:

Only vital records are accepted for things like passports, licenses, Social Security, or name changes. Public records won’t cut it.

For Legal Documents:

Need to prove a marriage ended? A divorce record might show up in public records, but only the certified divorce decree (vital record) has legal weight.

For Family History:

Birth and death certificates are the gold standard in genealogy. Public records can fill in the gaps, but vital records give the facts.

For Privacy:

Vital records are often protected to prevent identity theft. Public records? Way easier to find, so be mindful of what’s out there.

How Do You Get a Vital Record?

You won’t find them by Googling your name. You need to request them directly from your state.

Receiving your vital records through our website only gets better from here. You can receive a state-issued birth certificate, death certificate or any other information needed regarding vital information.

Here’s how State Vital Records works:

• Order online – Submit an application through our online order form. This may all be
• Location - Order is completed by the jurisdiction that holds the record.
• Receiving Documents - You’ll receive the requested information by mail.
  • A. Upload Your Document
  • B. Verify Your Identity
  • C. Connect Online With An Online Notary
  • D. Download Your Notarized Document Through Email.
• If you require assistance in notarizing your document, please contact [email protected]. Interested in the notarization process? Click here to learn more.

Looking to order your state vital records? Click here to make a request. Have any questions, contact us!

Final Thought

In a world full of paperwork, knowing the difference between vital records and public records is a power move.

Whether you're applying for benefits, planning international travel, or piecing together your family history, having the right document matters more than ever.

Need a certified copy of your birth, death, or marriage certificate? StateVitalRecords.org has your back, fast, simple, and secure.

COMMON QUESTIONS

ARE THE CERTIFICATES OFFICIAL?

• Yes. The certificates are issued by departments of public health and are recognized and accepted by all state and federal agencies.

WHAT KIND OF PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

• We accept Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express and Discover. Please contact us for more payment options.

WHAT KIND OF VITAL RECORDS CAN I RECEIVE/ORDER?

• State Birth Certificate
• State Death Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Certificate
• Fetal Death and Stillbirth Certificates

ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH A LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY?

• We are a privately-owned site, but trusted and contracted by the Department of Public Health.

Related Blogs:

• How To Get Your Birth Certificate for Free?
• How To Amend Your Birth Certificate
• Safe Places To Store Your Birth Certificate
• The 5 Most Powerful Passports In The World