At one time of another all of us need copies of birth, marriage, or death certificates for driver's licenses, passports, jobs, Social Security, family history research, or for simple proof of identity. But the fact is that the application forms needed to obtain copies of vital records vary from state to state and from country to country, often necessitating a tedious and time-wasting exchange of correspondence. The International Vital Records Handbook is designed to put an end to all that, as it offers a complete, up-to-date collection of vital records application forms from nations throughout the world, thus simplifying and speeding up the process by which vital records are obtained.

Divided into two parts, this new 4th edition of the International Vital Records Handbook contains the latest forms and information for each of the fifty states and also furnishes details about the records that were created prior to statewide vital records registration; then, in alphabetical sequence, it covers all the other countries of the world, giving, where available, their current forms and instructions; and since most non-English-speaking nations have neither a centralized vital records registration system nor application forms of any kind, this work provides as a substitute a list of national and provincial record repositories or key addresses of other institutions that might be of assistance.

Application forms issued by the various civil registration offices and the current procedures for obtaining a birth, marriage, or death certificate (and, in many cases, a divorce or adoption record) are given for each state, province, territory, or country. The application forms are the most current forms in use, and they can be copies and re-copied as often as the need arises. Simply photocopy the form you need, check the corresponding data page for the name and address of the vital records office, the fees involved in applying for copies of vital records, and any special notes on the records themselves, then send the fee and the completed form to the appropriate record office. Simple as that!