Thanks for your comments Sherry. I wouldn't mind your getting the record for a nominal fee.(same as I would pay) .. that covered the cost of paper & postage.. provided that when I wrote to YOUR state or another state in the US, I got the same courtesy. Like you, I look at the difference in cost between states or agencies as interesting. Guess we can all hope for Ohio relatives! From what Cheryl says, we had better hope we don't have anyone who moved to the state of Washington! And thanks Cheryl for sort of explaining why the cost is going up... even tho I don't understand what "fraudulent use of vital records for personal gain" means... (I'm one of those "honest" (or naive people) Do you mean - like taking on another identity?? marge