West VirginiaHomeless children can get free West Virginia birth certificate copies
West Virginia's State Registrar must give homeless people under 18 a free certified birth certificate copy when they apply and affirm their homelessness in writing.
What it does
Homeless people under 18 can receive a free certified copy of their West Virginia birth certificate by applying and providing a written statement of their homelessness.
Argument forFree copies could help homeless children obtain an official record of their birth without having to pay the copy fee.
Argument againstRequiring an application and written statement of homelessness could create a paperwork hurdle for young people seeking their birth certificates.
More detail
The State Registrar must provide an eligible person's certified birth certificate copy free of charge. The person must be under 18, and the birth certificate must be from West Virginia. An application and a written statement affirming the person's homelessness are required. The person must lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime home or primarily sleep in a supervised temporary shelter, temporary institutional housing for people intended to be institutionalized, or a place not designed or normally used for people to live. The law took effect June 12, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Chapter 64, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 19To Governor 3/19/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to House
- Mar 14Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 651)
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14Passed House (Roll No. 610)Passed House
- Mar 14Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 14On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 13On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 12Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 12Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 11Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 11On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 10With amendment, do passMinor
- Mar 6Markup Discussion
- Mar 3To House JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 3To JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 3Introduced in HouseMinor
- Mar 3House received Senate message
- Mar 2Ordered to House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Passed Senate (Roll No. 278)Passed Senate
- Mar 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 2On 3rd reading
- Feb 27Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 27On 2nd reading
- Feb 26Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 26Immediate consideration
- Feb 26Committee substitute reported
- Feb 16To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 16Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 16To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
Housing