Natality Detail File Series

The public-use Natality Detail Files include all births occurring within the United States. Births occurring to United States citizens outside the United States are not part of these files. Data are obtained from certificates filed for births occurring in each state. During 1968-1971, data were obtained from a 50-percent sample of certificates. Starting in 1972, all records were included for states that participated in the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program (VSCP). The number of states participating in the VSCP increased from 6 in 1972 to 46 in 1984. Beginning in 1985, all states and the District of Columbia participated.