SB947 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Providing birth certificate copies to homeless individuals under 18.

What is the status of SB947?

Signed into law as of April 1, 2026. Latest action: Chapter 64, Acts, Regular Session, 2026 (June 25, 2026).

Deeds, Vince (R, 10), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB947?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=947&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia SB947: Providing birth certificate copies to homeless individuals under 18

Q: What does SB947 do?

In its own words: An act to amend and reenact §16-5-29 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing birth certificates to homeless individuals under the age of 18. ARTICLE 5. VITAL STATISTICS. §16-5-29. Fees for copies and searches. (a) The commissioner shall prescribe the fees to be charged and collected by the State Registrar for certified copies of certificates or records, not to exceed $10 per copy, or for a search of the files or records when no copy is made: Provided, That the fee may be increased to a maximum of $12 per copy, at the discretion of the commissioner, after July 1, 2.

Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026

What the bill says

An act to amend and reenact §16-5-29 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing birth certificates to homeless individuals under the age of 18. ARTICLE 5. VITAL STATISTICS. §16-5-29. Fees for copies and searches. (a) The commissioner shall prescribe the fees to be charged and collected by the State Registrar for certified copies of certificates or records, not to exceed $10 per copy, or for a search of the files or records when no copy is made: Provided, That the fee may be increased to a maximum of $12 per copy, at the discretion of the commissioner, after July 1, 2.

From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §16-5-29 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing birth certificates to homeless individuals under the age of 18. ARTICLE 5. VITAL STATISTICS. §16-5-29. Fees for copies and searches. (a) The commissioner shall prescribe the fees to be charged and collected by the State Registrar for certified copies of certificates or records, not to exceed $10 per copy, or for a search of the files or records when no copy is made: Provided, That the fee may be increased to a maximum of $12 per copy, at the discretion of the commissioner, after July 1, 2008. (b) The commissioner may prescribe additional fees for the priority production or express delivery of certified copies. (c) The State Registrar may furnish certified copies of birth and death records to state agencies and to organized charities free of charge when the certificates are needed in presenting claims to the federal government or to a state for public assistance. Further, the State Registrar shall furnish, free of charge, a certified copy of an individual's West Virginia birth certificate upon application and a written affirmation of that individual's homelessness: Provided, That the individual is under the age of 18 years. The State Registrar will keep a record of all certificates furnished pursuant to this subsection. …

Read the full official text

West Virginia SB947: Providing birth certificate copies to homeless individuals under 18

What the bill says

Sponsors

Latest actions

Votes

Common questions