Idaho Genealogy

USA (1,379,301) > Idaho (8,571)

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Overview of Idaho records

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Overview of Idaho Genealogy Records

• History: Idaho was first settled in 1860. It became Idaho Territory in 1863 and included all of Montana and nearly all of Wyoming until Montana became its own territory in 1864 and Wyoming in 1868. Idaho became a state in 1890.
• Birth records: A few birth records were kept starting in the 1870s. Statewide registration of births began in 1911 with complete records by the 1920s.  Birth records from 1911 to the present can be obtained from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Marriage records: Marriages were kept since the date each county was organized.  Marriage records can be obtained from the county recorder in the individual county. Marriage records from 1947 to the present can be obtained from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Death records: Death records were kept starting in 1907 with complete records by 1911.  Death records from 1911 to the present can be obtained from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Divorce records: Divorce records can be obtained from the clerk of the district court of the individual counties. Divorce records from 1947 to the present can be obtained from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Census records: The first federal census available for Idaho is 1860. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1860 (partial), 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950. There is a partial 1856 census that was taken as part of the Utah territorial census.
• County records: Court, land, probate, naturalization, and tax records were kept by the individual counties.
• Other records: Many cities and towns kept newspapers, churches kept records, and there are records of cemeteries, histories, schools, city directories, and other records that can be located by using the city pages on this site. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Use the links on this site to locate the online indexes and images of many of the above records.