Idaho Vital Records
IdahoStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on IdahoStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Idaho vital records provide information about significant life events, including births, marriages, divorces, and deaths, that have occurred in the state. These records are maintained by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statisticsat the state level. Generally, vital records are not entirely subject to the Idaho Public Records Law. Instead, Idaho Statutes Section 39-270 governs access to these records.
Public Access to Idaho Vital Records
According to Idaho Statutes Section 39-270, public access to Idaho vital records is restricted and is available only to individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record. Nonetheless, these records become public in accordance with Idaho Public Records Law after a specified period has elapsed from the date of recording. For instance, birth records become public after 100 years, while death, stillbirth, marriage, and divorce records become public after 50 years.
Types of Vital Records Available in Idaho
The main types of vital records in Idaho include the following:
- Birth records
- Marriage and divorce records
- Death, stillbirth, and miscarriage records
Idaho Birth Records
An Idaho birth certificate is an official document that contains pertinent information about a child's birth. It typically includes the child's name, the names of their parent(s), the place of birth, and the date of birth. Certified copies of birth records serve as legal proof of an individual's citizenship and age. They are also required for specific official processes, such as applying for government benefits or a passport, claiming insurance or pension benefits, joining the military, and enrolling in schools.
The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics is responsible for issuing and maintaining certified copies of birth certificates filed from July 1911 to the present. Thus, interested individuals may get a birth certificate in Idaho through the agency. However, these records remain legally confidential for 100 years, during which they are only issued to eligible individuals, such as those who have a direct and tangible interest in the record. After 100 years of confidentiality, these records become publicly available to anyone who requests them.
Idaho Death Records
An Idaho death certificate is an official record that documents the death of an individual within the state. The typical content of these records includes the decedent's name, place of death, date of death, age at death, sex, and cause of death. A certified death certificate may be required for several legal purposes, including applying for a spouse's pension or social security benefits, life insurance claims, remarrying, and updating financial account details.
Interested individuals may obtain death records in Idaho from the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. Death certificates filed since July 1911 are maintained by the agency. Generally, these records are confidential for 50 years after their creation and are only available to individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record during that timeframe. After 50 years, death certificates are made available to the public.
Idaho Marriage Records
An Idaho marriage record is an official document that serves as legal proof of a marriage between two individuals. The contents of these records may include, but are not limited to, the names of both spouses and their signatures, the date and location of their marriage ceremony, the name and title of the officiant, and details about the marriage witnesses.
Marriage certificates in Idaho are maintained and issued by the state's Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. Certified copies of marriage certificates filed from May 1947 to the present are available through the agency. Therefore, interested individuals may contact the agency to request these records. However, marriage certificates are confidential for 50 years after being created, and they are only available to individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record within that timeframe. Subsequently (after 50 years), marriage records become public.
Idaho Divorce Records
Idaho divorce records include divorce certificates and divorce decrees. A divorce certificate is a legal document that serves as proof that a divorce has occured. In contrast, a divorce decree in Idaho is a formal court document that terminates a marriage and grants a divorce. The contents of these records are also vastly different.
Generally, a divorce certificate provides basic information about a divorce, including the names of the former spouses and the date the divorce was finalized. Meanwhile, a divorce decree typically outlines the terms of the divorce, such as each party's obligations after the divorce. These may include alimony, child support, and the distribution of marital property, among others.
In Idaho, divorce decrees are available through the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted. On the other hand, divorce certificates filed from May 1947 to the present are issued by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. These records remain confidential for 50 years; thereafter, they are made available to the public.
How to Order Vital Records in Idaho
Interested individuals may order Idaho vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, through the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. Birth records are confidential for 100 years, while marriage, divorce, and death records are confidential for 50 years. As a result, requesters are required to provide an acceptable form(s) of identification when ordering these records.
The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics primarily accepts vital records orders by mail. Applicants may draft and sign a request letter containing the necessary information identifying the sought record or complete the appropriate request form:
- Birth certificate request form (Spanish version)
- Death certificate request form (Spanish version)
- Miscarriage/still birth certificate request form (Spanish version)
- Marriage or divorce certificate request form (Spanish version)
Afterwards, applicants may mail their drafted request letter or completed request form along with a copy of their acceptable identification and required fee (via a signed check or money order made out to Idaho Vital Records) to;
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Who Can Request Idaho Vital Records?
Idaho vital records are generally confidential for a limited period after recording. For instance, birth certificates remain confidential for 100 years, whereas death, marriage, and divorce certificates remain confidential for 50 years. During their respective periods of confidentiality, vital records are available only to individuals with a direct and tangible interest in them.
The table below contains a breakdown of individuals who can access vital records in Idaho when they are confidential:
|
Record Type |
Eligible Requestors |
Required Documents |
Official Source Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Death Certificate |
|
One of the following picture identification with the requester's signature:
Or any two of the following forms of ID (one must have the requester's signature):
Or
|
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics 450 W State St Boise, ID 83720-0036 |
|
Birth Certificate |
| ||
|
Marriage Record |
Marriage licenses, certificates, and records are governed by Idaho Statutes Title 32 Chapter 4 | ||
|
Divorce Record |
The registration of divorces is governed by Idaho Statutes Section 39-265. |
Processing Times for Idaho Vital Records Requests
Idaho vital record processing time for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificate orders handled by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics is as follows:
- Two (2) to three (3) for express orders
- Three (3) to five (5) weeks for non-rush orders
The table below provides notable information about the processing times for vital record requests in Idaho.
|
Record Type |
Factors That Influence Processing Time |
Considerations |
|---|---|---|
|
Birth Certificate |
|
|
|
Death Certificate | ||
|
Marriage Record | ||
|
Divorce Record |
Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in Idaho
Vital records fees in Idaho are the same for all types of vital records requesters' orders. According to the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health's Vital Record Fee Schedule, the standard fee for a certified birth, death, still birth, miscarriage, marriage, or divorce certificate is $16.00 per copy. However, an additional $10.00 fee per certificate ordered applies to rush orders. Note that all payments are non-refundable.
How to Search Vital Records Online in Idaho
Unfortunately, the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health does not provide an online search tool for vital records. The agency only accepts mail-in requests for these records.
Notwithstanding, there are third-party websites that record seekers may use to order Idaho vital records. However, these third-party websites operate independently from government agencies, and the availability and accuracy of records they provide are not guaranteed.