Series 81444
Bureau of Vital Statistics Native American birth certificates
Dates: 1916-1952.
0.70 cubic foot
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
The birth certificates in this series were issued to Native Americans in Utah outside of the regular birth registration process that began in 1905 (Laws of Utah, 1905, chapter 120). Most if not all of these individuals were born on one of the Indian reservations in Utah, with one or both parents being considered Indian as a race. Some certificates indicate the specific tribe, and a few also include the amount of Indian blood in quarters, such as 1/4 or 4/4.
The relationship between both federal and state governments and Native American tribes, tribal governments, and individuals is complex and constantly changing. Although considered sovereign nations by the U.S. Government, tribes are also limited by a standing of a "ward to its guardian" as espoused by the Supreme Court (Cherokee Nation vs. State of Georgia, 30 U.S. 1). As such, most governing actions occur on the federal level, with limited effect in any one state.
The Constitution of the State of Utah in 1895 set out to "make no distinction in civil or political rights on account of race or color, except as to Indians not taxed" (Constitutional Convention, Day 1). The status of "not taxed" stems from the United States Constitution, and the Fourteenth Amendment. Interpretations over time, such as for the federal census, eventually settled upon a definition of Native Americans as individuals living on tribal lands and not assimilated into non-native (white) society. This is reflected in a Constitutional Convention discussion on elections and suffrage that the post-Civil War Fifteenth Amendment "gives the Indian--aborigines of this country--the right when he severs his tribal relations and is taxed." (Day 27). Citizenship for Native Americans was granted piecemeal until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, for "all non-citizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States." Some limitations that may or may not have been affected by a state-issued birth certificate continued in Utah, such as not being allowed to register to vote when living on a reservation, which was ended in 1957 (Laws of Utah, 1957, chapter 38).
Various standard certificate forms are found in this series, from the U.S. Census Bureau to whatever was being used in Utah, plus a few from neighboring states. The information on certificates includes the child's name, place of birth, date of birth, sex, and if child is part of a multiple birth; the parents' name, race, age, birthplace, occupation, and marital status; a record of children previously born to the mother; the length of the pregnancy; the child's weight and length at birth; the date of the serological test; a description of any complications; and a description of any congenital malformations or birth injuries.
Gaps in Series
Outside of only a few, there are none before 1920. Holdings end in 1952 with a noticeable decline in mid-1949.
Access Restrictions
Birth certificates are private for 100 years from the date of birth and only the Office of Vital Records and Statistics may issue certified copies to subjects of the record or their immediate family. The Archives holds the original paper records and a copy on microfilm only for preservation.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Finding Aids
Indexes: Series 81439 NATIVE AMERICAN BIRTH CERTIFICATES INDEX provides access by name. The Office of Vital Records and Statistics also has an electronic version to assist with issuing certified copies. Research guide for Birth Records is available. View guide.
Related Records
Native American birth certificates index from the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Series 81439, provides a name index.
Indexing Terms
Vital statistics
Birth certificates—Utah
Indians of North America
| BOX | FOLDER | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1 | 1900 - 1918: 0001-0002 |
| 1 | 2 | 1920 Jan 04 - 1920 Nov 01: 0003-0049 |
| 1 | 3 | 1921 Jan 13 - 1921 Dec 29: 0052-0080 |
| 1 | 4 | 1923 Oct - 1926 Dec 16: 0082-0121 |
| 1 | 5 | 1927 Jan 15 - 1927 Dec 29: 0122-0169 |
| 1 | 6 | 1928 Jan 04 - 1928 Dec 29: 0170-0232 |
| 1 | 7 | 1929 - 1929 Dec 25: 0233-0302 |
| 1 | 8 | 1930 Jan 01 - 1930 Dec 30: 0304-0381 |
| 1 | 9 | 1931 Jan 03 - 1931 Dec 31: 0382-0449 |
| 1 | 10 | 1932 Jan 02 - 1932 Dec 26: 0450-0505 |
| 1 | 11 | 1933 Jan 09 - 1933 Dec 23: 0506-0573 |
| 1 | 12 | 1934 Jan 01 - 1934 Dec 22: 0574-0649 |
| 1 | 13 | 1935 Jan 07 - 1935 Dec 27: 0652-0732 |
| 1 | 14 | 1936 Jan 01 - 1936 Dec 28: 0733-0833 |
| 2 | 1 | 1937 Jan 01 - 1937 Dec 27: 0834-0933 |
| 2 | 2 | 1938 Jan 05 - 1938 Dec 29: 0935-1007 |
| 2 | 3 | 1939 Jan 04 - 1939 Dec 27: 1008-1081 |
| 2 | 4 | 1940 Jan 12 - 1940 Dec 27: 1083-1180 |
| 2 | 5 | 1941 Jan 05 - 1941 Dec 31: 1181-1245 |
| 2 | 6 | 1942 Jan 06 - 1942 Dec 28: 1246-1314 |
| 2 | 7 | 1943 - 1943 Dec 31: 1315-1379 |
| 2 | 8 | 1944 Jan - 1944 Dec 30: 1380-1438 |
| 2 | 9 | 1945 Jan 07 - 1945 Dec 31: 1439-1496 |
| 2 | 10 | 1946 Jan 01 - 1946 Dec 28: 1497-1575 |
| 2 | 11 | 1947 Jan 25 - 1947 Dec 22: 1576-1625 |
| 2 | 12 | 1948 Jan 01 - 1949 Aug 26: 1626-1655 |
| 2 | 12 | 1950 Jul 10 - 1952 Nov 20: I-2961 to I-3090 |