Vital records or metrical records are records of life events kept under churchs authority, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates. 

Birth records are also known as baptismal records and baptismal books.

Death records are also known as burial and funeral records or books.

Marriage registers are also known as marriage records and books.

In some jurisdictions, vital records may also include records of civil unions or domestic partnerships.

The earliest record available dates from 1600, but the majority of the records do not begin until the 1700s.