Virginia Department of Health 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Most people searching for the Virginia Department of Health need a practical answer: which phone number to call, where to order a birth certificate or death certificate, how to find a local health department, how to request immunization records, where to file a foodborne illness report, how to check restaurant inspections, or whether a health license lookup belongs with VDH or the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
This guide is written in plain U.S. English for Virginia residents, seniors, parents, caregivers, licensees, employers, patients, and out-of-state users who need Virginia records. It is not the official VDH website; it helps you choose the right official route before you call, pay, mail forms, file a complaint, schedule a visit, or drive to a Richmond office.
Quick answer: what the Virginia Department of Health helps with in 2026
The Virginia Department of Health, often searched as VDH, Virginia DOH, VA Department of Health, or Virginia health department, is the main state public health agency for many public health services. Common user needs include vital records, local health districts, immunization records, WIC, environmental health, food safety, restaurant inspections, health care facility complaints, public health emergencies, FOIA records, and public health program contacts.
| What you need | Best official route | Prepare first | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Department of Health phone number | VDH Contact Us page or local health district | Your county/city, topic, callback number, and any case or application ID | Ask, “Which VDH program handles this, and what page should I use?” |
| Virginia birth certificate | VDH Office of Vital Records online application, Richmond lobby, mail, or local vital record option | Full name, date of birth, place of birth, valid ID, proof of eligibility, payment method | Use the official VDH application before paying another website. |
| Virginia death certificate | VDH Office of Vital Records or local health department that offers vital records | Decedent name, date of death, county/city, purpose, ID, eligibility proof if required | Ask the bank, insurer, attorney, or benefits office which certificate version it accepts. |
| Virginia marriage or divorce certificate | VDH vital records for certificate copies; clerk of court for some court documents | Names, event date, county/city, valid ID, proof, payment, mailing address | A certificate is not always the same as a court decree. |
| Virginia immunization records | VDH immunization record request, MyIR, VIIS, or provider record | Name, date of birth, contact details, vaccine type, school/work requirement | Old or out-of-state shots may need provider records, not only the registry. |
| Virginia local health department near me | VDH Health Department Locator or Local Health Districts page | ZIP code, county/city, service needed, appointment question | Many questions are best answered locally, not at the Richmond central office. |
| Virginia restaurant inspection or foodborne illness report | VDH Environmental Health, My Meal Detective, or local health department | Business name, address, county/city, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt/photos | Food complaints are stronger when you include exact location and timing. |
| Virginia health professional license lookup | Virginia Department of Health Professions, not VDH | License number, occupation, name, status, ZIP, or board | For doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other professionals, use DHP. |
| Virginia health facility complaint | VDH Office of Licensure and Certification for VDH-licensed or certified facilities | Facility name, address, dates, resident/patient details, facts, documents | Practitioner complaints usually go to DHP; facility complaints may go to VDH OLC. |
| VDH public records / FOIA request | VDH FOIA page or VDH public records request portal | Record type, program, date range, subject, county/city, names, address if septic/well records | Specific requests are easier than “send all records.” |
If the issue is about a certificate or vital record, start with VDH Vital Records. If it is about a local clinic, WIC, septic, well, food, restaurant, or after-hours public health risk, start with the local health department. If it is about a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, or other health professional license, start with the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
Virginia Department of Health route finder: choose the right office before calling or paying
Use this simple route finder for common Virginia Department of Health searches such as VDH phone number, Virginia vital records, local health department, immunization records, foodborne illness report, restaurant inspections, facility complaints, public records, FOIA, and Virginia license lookup.
Virginia DOH task router
Select your need. The answer below gives the safest official route and what to prepare.
Virginia Department of Health phone number, contact page and call script
The Virginia Department of Health central office is commonly listed at 109 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219, with main agency phone 804-864-7000. Many VDH pages also emphasize that many questions are best answered by your local health department, especially local clinic, environmental health, and after-hours risk questions.
VDH main contact
Use for general state-level routing when you do not know the right VDH program.
Contact VDH804-662-6200
Use for Virginia birth, death, marriage, divorce and vital records questions.
Vital recordsHealth district
Use for local clinic, environmental health, WIC, food, septic, well, and county/city service questions.
Find local office9-1-1 / Poison Help
Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies and 1-800-222-1222 for poison emergencies.
Emergency notesUse a short call script
Say: “I need help with [birth certificate, death certificate, immunization record, local health department appointment, WIC, foodborne illness report, restaurant inspection, septic/well records, facility complaint, or FOIA request]. My county or city is [name]. Which official VDH page or phone number should I use?”
Write your question on paper before calling. Keep your ID, application tracking ID, county/city, record date, facility name, restaurant address, or property address nearby so you do not have to call again.
Virginia vital records: birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates
The VDH Office of Vital Records handles Virginia birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, amendments, and application status. The office lists a Customer Care Center at 804-662-6200 and a Richmond public lobby at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227.
Apply for a vital record
VDH’s online system allows users to apply, pay, and receive updates for a vital record request.
Apply onlineTrack application
Use your application tracking ID to check status. VDH notes mail applications are processed in order received.
Track requestUse current VDH forms
Do not reuse old forms from third-party websites. Download current forms from VDH.
Open forms| Record type | Prepare before applying | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Full name, date of birth, place of birth, parent details, valid ID, proof of eligibility if required | Ordering from Virginia when the birth happened in another state. |
| Death certificate | Decedent name, date of death, county/city, purpose, ID, eligibility or legal relationship details | Not asking the bank, court, insurer, or benefits office which version is accepted. |
| Marriage certificate | Names, marriage date, county/city, ID, proof, payment, mailing address | Confusing certificate copy with county clerk record needs. |
| Divorce certificate | Names, divorce date, county/city, court details if known, ID, purpose | Ordering a certificate when the receiving agency asked for a court decree. |
| Correction or amendment | Current certificate, proof documents, application, explanation note, valid ID | Mailing incomplete documents and delaying the change. |
If you need the record quickly, check online options, express delivery, Richmond lobby rules, and local walk-in locations before mailing. If you already applied, use the VDH Track Application page with your tracking ID.
Virginia birth certificate: application, ID, eligibility and local pickup planning
Use the Virginia Department of Health birth certificate route when the birth occurred in Virginia. If the person was born in another state, order from that state’s vital records office, not Virginia.
Check whether you are eligible to receive the certificate
Certified vital records are not always available to every requester. Prepare proof of identity and proof of relationship or legal authority if the VDH form or local office asks for it.
Use the exact name and birth place
Use the name on the birth record, not only a current married name or nickname. If you are helping a parent, grandparent, or adult child, confirm spelling, date, city/county, and parent details before applying.
Virginia death certificate: estate, insurance, bank, benefits and funeral records checklist
A Virginia death certificate may be needed for estate, bank, insurance, probate, pension, Social Security, veterans benefits, real estate, and family records. Before ordering, ask the receiving agency exactly what it accepts.
Which certificate version?
Different agencies may ask for different certificate details. Confirm before paying so you do not order the wrong record.
Decedent and requester details
Have the decedent name, death date, county/city, your ID, relationship or authority proof, mailing address, and payment ready.
If multiple family members need copies, ask the attorney, bank, insurer, and benefits office how many certified copies are required. Some offices need a certified copy; others may only need a copy for review.
Virginia marriage and divorce certificates: vital record versus court document
For marriage and divorce, the most important question is whether you need a certificate copy or a court-issued document. A divorce certificate is not always the same as the final divorce decree or full court case file.
VDH vital records route
Use for official certificate copies when the event is a Virginia vital record and you meet request requirements.
Clerk or court route
Use when an agency asks for a decree, judgment, court order, license file, or complete court document.
If an immigration office, court, bank, retirement office, or benefits agency asks for the “final decree,” do not assume a VDH divorce certificate is enough. Ask the receiving agency before ordering.
Virginia immunization records, VIIS, MyIR, school shots and vaccine records
Virginia residents can request immunization records through VDH-supported electronic routes and the Virginia Immunization Information System, often searched as VIIS. These records can help with school, childcare, work, travel, college, health care, and family documentation needs.
Start with the self-service record portal
VDH says electronic portals allow users to view, download, and print immunization records for themselves or family from a home computer or mobile device. Use your legal name, date of birth, and contact details carefully.
If the record is missing, ask the provider or use the request form
Older vaccines, out-of-state vaccines, military records, school records, and provider records may not all appear automatically. If the portal does not work, VDH provides an immunization record request route.
If a school or employer requires a specific form, ask whether a downloaded registry record is accepted or whether a provider signature, school form, or local health department printout is required.
Virginia local health department locator: county, city, district and appointment help
Many VDH services are local. A resident in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Roanoke, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Charlottesville, Newport News, Hampton, Lynchburg, Danville, Winchester, or a rural county may need a different local health district or office.
Appointments and local services
Ask the local office about clinic hours, vaccine appointments, WIC, testing, records, and service availability.
Septic, wells and food
Local environmental health often handles restaurant, food, septic, well, pool, lodging, and property questions.
Public health risk
VDH contact guidance says after-hours public health emergency or environmental health risk reports should contact the local health department.
Health district directory
Use the local health district list when you know your county or city but not the exact office.
Ask the local office, “Is this service at this building, and do I need an appointment?” In some health districts, vital records, environmental health, WIC, clinic services, and administration may not share the same walk-in hours.
Virginia restaurant inspections, foodborne illness report and My Meal Detective
If you became sick after eating, saw a food safety problem, or want to check a restaurant inspection, start with VDH Environmental Health and your local health department. Virginia uses My Meal Detective for online foodborne illness reporting.
| Collect this | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Business name and address | Restaurant, food truck, grocery, event, school, nursing home, or facility address | Health staff need the correct locality and establishment. |
| Date and time | When you ate, bought, handled, or served the food | Helps connect possible cases and inspection timing. |
| Food or drink item | Dish, ingredient, packaged product, drink, buffet item, or takeout order | Helps identify the suspected source. |
| Symptoms and timing | Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, start time, number of people sick | Helps assess whether an outbreak may exist. |
| Proof if available | Receipt, order number, photos, label, leftover food package | Supports a stronger report. |
My Meal Detective
Use when you think food made you sick and details are still fresh.
Report illnessRestaurant inspections
Use Environmental Health quick links to view inspection information for food establishments.
Open inspectionsIf symptoms are severe, involve an infant, older adult, pregnant person, immune-compromised person, blood in stool, dehydration, confusion, high fever, or trouble breathing, seek medical care. Do not wait for a complaint response.
Virginia environmental health: septic, wells, drinking water, radon, restaurant permits and public health risks
VDH Environmental Health Services covers topics such as food safety, restaurant inspections, shellfish closures, lead poisoning prevention, onsite sewage, wells, drinking water, radon, waterborne disease, harmful algal blooms, and local environmental health risks.
| Issue | Likely VDH route | Prepare before calling |
|---|---|---|
| Septic system or onsite sewage | Local environmental health / onsite sewage program | Property address, county, parcel number, permit history, photos, contractor name if known |
| Private well or drinking water | Local health department or Office of Drinking Water | Address, well type, test concern, sample question, recent flooding or contamination details |
| Restaurant permit or inspection | Local food and environmental services | Business name, address, owner/operator, menu, event date, permit question |
| Radon testing | VDH radon program / hotline route | Address, test result, test kit type, basement/crawlspace details |
| Shellfish, beach, waterborne disease or algal bloom | VDH environmental health program page or local health department | Location, date, waterbody, symptoms, photos, advisory question |
For septic, wells, pools, restaurants, housing, sewage, water, or nuisance concerns, have the full street address and county/city ready. Environmental health staff often cannot route the issue correctly without a physical location.
Virginia health professional license lookup: when to use DHP instead of VDH
Many users search “Virginia Department of Health license lookup” when they actually need the Virginia Department of Health Professions, called DHP. DHP handles license lookup, renewals, applications, practitioner information, and complaints for many Virginia healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other licensed practitioners.
Search a license
Search by license number, last 4 digits of SSN plus last name, occupation, name, state, ZIP, or status.
Open lookupRenew online
DHP online licensing allows many users to renew, update address of record, provide emergency contact, and request duplicate licenses.
Renew onlinePractitioner complaint
Complaints about physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other licensed practitioners typically route through DHP boards.
Open DHP| Question | Correct agency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Is this doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, therapist, or other professional licensed? | Virginia Department of Health Professions | DHP provides the health professional license lookup and practitioner information. |
| How do I renew my Virginia healthcare professional license? | Virginia Department of Health Professions | DHP provides online license renewal and practitioner account services. |
| How do I complain about a licensed healthcare practitioner? | Virginia Department of Health Professions board route | Practitioner complaints generally belong with the appropriate DHP board. |
| How do I complain about a health care facility licensed or certified by VDH? | VDH Office of Licensure and Certification | VDH OLC investigates certain facility and service complaints it licenses or certifies. |
For employer, hospital, school, or credentialing use, search the official DHP lookup directly and save the search date, license number, occupation, status, expiration date, and any public disciplinary or case information shown.
Virginia health care facility complaints: VDH Office of Licensure and Certification
VDH’s Office of Licensure and Certification, often called OLC, handles licensing and certification oversight for certain health care facilities and services. It also investigates consumer complaints regarding health care services received at facilities and services it licenses or certifies.
Use VDH OLC
Use when the complaint is about care quality or services at a facility or service VDH licenses or certifies.
File complaintUse DHP board route
Use DHP for complaints about physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other licensed health professionals.
Open DHP| Prepare | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Facility name and address | Helps identify the regulated facility or service. |
| Patient or resident details | Helps the complaint unit understand who was affected. |
| Dates and timeline | Creates a clear sequence of events. |
| Names of staff if known | Helps the investigator understand who may have been involved. |
| Photos, letters, discharge notes or documents | Supports facts beyond memory. |
| Your contact information or anonymous choice | Anonymous complaints may limit follow-up or progress notifications. |
If a patient or resident is in immediate danger, call emergency services or the facility’s urgent response route first. A complaint form is not a substitute for immediate safety action.
Virginia Department of Health public records and FOIA request guide
Use VDH FOIA or public records request routes for agency records. This is not the same as ordering a birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, immunization record, medical chart, or DHP license verification.
Make your request narrow
Include the VDH program, record type, subject, date range, county/city, facility, license, inspection, property address, or specific office. A focused request is easier to understand than “send everything about health records.”
For septic or well records, include the full address
VDH’s public records request form specifically notes that well or septic records should include the complete address with city and county in the description. This helps staff locate the correct local file.
If you need your own medical record from a clinic, request it from the provider or local health department that gave the care. If you need a vital record, use Vital Records. If you need a professional license record, use DHP. FOIA is for agency public records.
Virginia Department of Health maps: Richmond central office and Vital Records office
Do not drive to a Richmond address just because it appears in a search result. Confirm whether your specific service is offered at that location, whether the lobby is open, whether an appointment is required, and whether the record or service can be handled online or locally.
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Use for central office planning, not automatic walk-in service for every task.
Office of Vital Records
8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Confirm lobby hours, ID, fees, and document requirements before visiting.
If your task can be handled by a local health department, online vital record application, DHP license lookup, or FOIA portal, a Richmond trip may not be necessary. Call first and ask for the correct building and service window.
Official Virginia Department of Health links used in this guide
Use these official pages for current phone numbers, forms, portals, fees, eligibility, office locations, local health districts, complaints, and final submission. This independent guide does not collect records, process payments, verify licenses, or file complaints.
People also search for: Virginia Department of Health Google and Bing intent guide
These are common search-style questions around “Virginia Department of Health.” Use the matching official route instead of opening random third-party pages.
Virginia department of health phone number
Use VDH Contact Us for central office and program numbers; use local health district pages for local services.
Phone routeVirginia department of health vital records
Use VDH Office of Vital Records for birth, death, marriage, divorce, applications and tracking.
Records routeVirginia birth certificate online
Use the official VDH online application and prepare ID, event details, eligibility proof and payment.
Birth routeVirginia death certificate
Ask the receiving agency which certificate version is needed before ordering through VDH.
Death routeVirginia immunization records
Use VDH Request Immunization Record, MyIR, VIIS, provider records, or school records as needed.
Immunization routeVirginia local health department near me
Use the VDH Health Department Locator or Local Health Districts directory with your ZIP code or locality.
Local routeVirginia restaurant inspections
Use VDH Environmental Health and local inspection pages for food establishment inspection information.
Food routeVirginia health license lookup
Use the Virginia Department of Health Professions license lookup, not a random directory.
License routeSafety, privacy and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not the official Virginia Department of Health website, not VDH, not Virginia.gov, not the Office of Vital Records, not the Virginia Department of Health Professions, and not a local health department.
Do not send Social Security numbers, birth certificates, death certificates, driver licenses, passports, medical records, immunization records, payment cards, complaint evidence, license documents, or patient information to an independent guide page. Use only official secure portals and verified office contacts.
Phone numbers, forms, fees, office hours, eligibility rules, lobby availability, processing time, complaint routing, and online portals can change. Confirm final details with VDH, DHP, Virginia.gov, or the local health department before taking action.
Virginia Department of Health FAQs
What is the Virginia Department of Health phone number?
The Virginia Department of Health central office is commonly listed with main phone 804-864-7000. For vital records, VDH lists the Office of Vital Records Customer Care Center at 804-662-6200. Many service questions should be routed to the local health department for your county or city.
Where is the Virginia Department of Health located?
VDH’s central office is listed at 109 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The Office of Vital Records public lobby is listed at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Confirm the correct address before visiting because many services are handled online or locally.
How do I order a Virginia birth certificate?
Use the VDH Office of Vital Records online application, current VDH forms, Richmond lobby guidance, or a local office that offers vital records. Prepare the full name, date and place of birth, parent details, valid ID, eligibility proof if required, payment method, and mailing address.
How do I get a Virginia death certificate?
Start with VDH Office of Vital Records. Before ordering, ask the bank, insurance company, attorney, benefits office, or court what certificate version is required. Prepare the decedent name, death date, county or city, your ID, proof of relationship or authority, and payment details.
Can I get Virginia marriage or divorce records from VDH?
VDH handles Virginia marriage and divorce certificate requests through Vital Records. If the receiving agency asks for a court decree, final judgment, or full court file, you may need the relevant court or clerk route instead of a VDH certificate.
How do I request Virginia immunization records?
Use the VDH Request Immunization Record page, MyIR, VIIS, or the immunization record request route. If records are missing, ask the healthcare provider, school, previous state, or local health department because not every older or out-of-state vaccine may appear automatically.
How do I find my local Virginia health department?
Use the VDH Health Department Locator to search by address or ZIP code, or use the VDH Local Health Districts page to find your district by county or city. Local offices are often best for clinic appointments, WIC, environmental health, food, septic, wells, and local public health risks.
How do I report food poisoning in Virginia?
Use VDH’s Foodborne Illness Report page and My Meal Detective, or contact your local health department. Prepare the business name, address, county or city, date and time, food item, symptoms, number of people sick, receipt, photos, or product label if available.
Is Virginia health professional license lookup handled by VDH?
Usually no. Virginia doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and many other healthcare professionals are verified through the Virginia Department of Health Professions license lookup. VDH handles many public health and facility-related functions, while DHP handles many practitioner license functions.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official Virginia Department of Health website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It does not process vital records, collect fees, verify licenses, file complaints, provide medical advice, or replace VDH, Virginia.gov, DHP, the Office of Vital Records, or local health departments.