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Idaho Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

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The registration of births and deaths on the county level in Idaho was not required until 1907. Prior to that time, the only birth and death records were kept by churches, midwives, mortuaries, and physicians. These records are fragmentary at best. The County Resources section below lists those vital records that were available on the county level before mandatory recording.

Beginning in 1907 the state of Idaho required that professional midwives and physicians record births. The registration of deaths was the responsibility of any clergyman, coroner, physician, or undertaker who had cared for the deceased during the last sickness or made arrangements for the burial.

This information was reported to the county recorder. The law governing the registration of births and deaths was changed in 1911, at which time the county recorder was relieved of this responsibility. After 1911 all births and deaths were registered directly with the state. The Family History Library (FHL) has most Idaho births and deaths on microfilm from 1907 to 1911.

The first laws in Idaho Territory concerning marriages and divorces were enacted in 1864. The first Territorial Legislative Assembly made provisions for books in which to record certificates issued by the person performing the marriage ceremony as well as contracts made by individuals. Under the law, the marriage contract did not have to be a written contract. If it was a written contract, there was no compulsion about making a public record of it. Although some early Idaho Territorial marriage contracts were recorded, most were not. Pre-1895 records are located in the county courthouses. The FHL has most early and later county marriages on microfilm. An essential research tool for Idaho marriages is the “Western States Historical Marriage Record Index,” which is online at the BrighamYoung University–Idaho website. This index covers marriages from the territorial days primarily through the 1930s, although some counties have marriages up through the 1950s represented.

Idaho Historical Records - Databases include Idaho Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Idaho Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Idaho Voter Lists & Census Records; Idaho Immigration & Emigration Records; Idaho Obituary Records; Idaho Military Records; Idaho Family Tree Records; Idaho Pictures; Idaho Stories, Memories & Histories; Idaho Directories &&Member Lists and much more....

District courts in Idaho were given jurisdiction in divorce cases by an act passed by the first Territorial Legislative Assembly in 1864. Divorce and annulment actions were filed in the district court in the same manner as other civil cases.

Statewide records of Idaho’s birth and death certificates begin in 1911, and marriage and divorce records begin in 1947. These certificates can be obtained by contacting the Vital Statistics Unit, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, 450 W. State St., 1st Floor, Boise, ID 83720-9990. The FHL has death indexes (1911–50) and certificates (1911–37) on microfilm. There is also an online index to all Idaho deaths (1911–50) on the website of the Idaho GenWeb.

Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, 450 W State Street, 1st Floor, Boise, ID 83720 ; Phone: (208) 334-5980; Fax: (208) 332-7260; HealthStatistics@dhw.idaho.gov

The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics maintains birth and death records filed from July 1911 to the present, and marriage and divorce records filed from May 1947 to the present. Some counties may have older birth, death, marriage, or divorce records in their files, but county files contain only records of vital events that occurred in that county.

Order Certificates – Order certified copies of birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates, which may be used for any legal purpose.

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Links For Idaho Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

Links For Idaho Birth Records

Links For Idaho Marriage Records and Divorce Records

Links For Idaho Death Records

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Idaho Birth, Marriage, Divorce & Death Records by County

   
   
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