Whether you're relocating to Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, or a smaller West Virginia community, getting your children's medical records organized before school enrollment is essential. West Virginia requires a West Virginia Certificate of Immunization for school entry under W. Va. Code §16-3-4 — and critically, out-of-state records will not automatically transfer into the WVIIStar registry. Here is exactly what to do, step by step.
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Under federal law (HIPAA Right of Access), your previous providers must release your child's medical records upon written request. Start this process at least 2–4 weeks before your move date.
West Virginia maintains immunization records in WVIIStar (West Virginia Statewide Immunization Information System), managed by the WV DHHR Bureau for Public Health. Your child's out-of-state immunization records will not automatically appear in WVIIStar — a West Virginia-licensed provider must enter them.
Finding a WV pediatrician before your move — or immediately upon arrival — is the most important step. At your child's first WV appointment, bring the complete out-of-state immunization records. The provider enters dose information into WVIIStar.
West Virginia's 55 county health departments provide immunizations and can enter records into WVIIStar. Many offer walk-in immunization services at low or no cost (free through the Vaccines for Children program if eligible). Call your county health department to confirm availability. (Source: WV DHHR — Local Health Departments, accessed September 2, 2026)
Once doses are entered in WVIIStar, your child's WV provider or county health department can issue the West Virginia Certificate of Immunization — the document schools require. This must be signed by a licensed WV healthcare provider.
Source: WV DHHR — Bureau for Public Health, Immunization Program; W. Va. Code §16-3-4, accessed September 2, 2026
West Virginia is one of a small number of states that recognizes medical exemptions only from school immunization requirements. Religious and philosophical exemptions are not permitted under W. Va. Code §16-3-4. Families moving from states that offered religious or philosophical exemptions will need to meet West Virginia's full immunization requirements. Plan for any catch-up doses well before enrollment.
West Virginia public schools require the following health documentation at enrollment, in addition to proof of residency and prior school records:
Every person gets one health story, and one private Family Stork email address every clinic already knows how to use. When you move to West Virginia, your child's @familystork address doesn't change — the entire timeline travels with the family. Your new WV pediatrician sends the first visit summary to the same address, and it files automatically. No lost records. No starting over. $99/year, or about $10 a month.
Tired of managing health records for yourself and everyone you love? Family Stork organizes them for you automatically.
Start your child's record — freeMore resources:
Juggling logins across multiple hospital portals? See how Family Stork compares to MyChart — one email address vs. a different portal for every clinic.
Keep your family's entire health story in one place: family health timeline software — from first heartbeat and beyond.
Now that you've moved to West Virginia, here are the school health forms you'll need: West Virginia school health form checklist →