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West VirginiaSB 9472026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Providing birth certificate copies to homeless individuals under 18

Sponsored By: Vince Deeds (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§16-5-29

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Free birth certificates for homeless minors

If you are under 18 and homeless, you can get a certified West Virginia birth certificate for free. You must submit an application and a written statement saying you are homeless. Homeless means no fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime home, or your main night place is a shelter, a temporary institution, or a place not meant for regular housing. The State Registrar keeps a record of the free certificates issued.

Free records for public-assistance claims

The State Registrar gives certified birth and death records free to state agencies and organized charities when needed to file public-assistance claims with the federal or state government. This helps those applications move forward without record fees.

Vital records funds and upgrades

The state keeps special accounts for vital records work and improvements. From each certified copy fee, $1 goes to the Vital Statistics Improvement Fund and $4 goes to the General Revenue Fund. The rest of the fees, including rush and express charges, go to the Vital Statistics Account. The Improvement Fund is non-lapsing and used to modernize and automate vital records. The commissioner can spend Vital Statistics Account money as allowed by law, and the Legislature budgets it each year.

Caps and rush fees for vital records

You pay no more than $10 per certified copy of a birth, death, or other vital record. After July 1, 2008, the commissioner may raise this cap to $12. If you ask for faster processing or express delivery, extra fees can be charged.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vince Deeds

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Amy Grady

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Woelfel

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 157 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 651)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 610)

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 278)

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/19/2026

    3/19/2026Senate

  3. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/14/2026House

  4. Read 3rd time

    3/14/2026House

  5. Passed House (Roll No. 610)

    3/14/2026House

  6. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  7. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 651)

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. Communicated to House

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026Senate

  11. To Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  12. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  13. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  14. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/13/2026House

  15. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  16. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026House

  17. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/12/2026House

  18. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  19. On 1st reading, Special Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  20. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026House

  21. With amendment, do pass

    3/10/2026House

  22. Markup Discussion

    3/6/2026House

  23. House received Senate message

    3/3/2026House

  24. Introduced in House

    3/3/2026House

  25. To Judiciary

    3/3/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

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