At Nativa Genealogy, we make the process simple, clear, and guided.
Whether you are requesting a record, building a family tree, or hiring us for full research, this page explains exactly how everything works from start to finish.
🌿 1. Choose the Service You Need
Start by deciding what you want help with:
Family Tree Builder (self-service)
Record Search (birth, death, marriage, census, tribal, etc.)
Full Genealogy Research (we build your tree)
Consultation Session
Document Retrieval Assistance
Historical or estate records
Every service is listed on our Services Page with pricing and details.
📝 2. Submit Your Request or Sign Up
Depending on your service, you will:
✔ Fill out the Request a Record form
OR
✔ Sign up for a Membership
OR
✔ Email us details at epierson@nativagenealogy.org
When submitting a request, please include:
Full name(s) of the person(s)
Type of record needed
Approximate dates (birth, death, marriage, etc.)
City or state (if known)
Parent names (optional but very helpful)
Any documents you already have
The more information you give, the faster and more accurate the search.
💳 3. Make Payment
All services must be paid before research begins.
✔ Payments are non-refundable
(because research time and database access begin immediately)
✔ Government fees for official documents
like birth or death certificates
are separate from the research fee.
We will notify you of any additional state fees before moving forward.
🔍 4. We Begin the Search or Research Process
Once payment and request details are submitted, we begin working.
We search:
State and county archives
Census records
Tribal rolls
Historical databases
Churches & cemetery records
Newspapers
Plantation/estate documents
Military files
Immigration/migration lists
This may involve checking multiple years, spellings, counties, or cross-references.
Every search is done manually and thoroughly.
🔐 5. Authorization May Be Required
Some records are restricted by law (such as modern birth certificates, certain death records, or sealed documents).
You may be asked to provide:
A signed authorization form
Proof of identity
Proof of relationship
A notarized authorization
A Power of Attorney (POA)
— if the state requires it
We will tell you exactly which form is needed (if any).
📬 6. Receive Your Results
Once your search or research is complete, you will receive:
✔ An email summary
✔ Attached documents (if located)
✔ Next-step instructions (if needed)
✔ State office information (if the record must be ordered)
If a document must be purchased, we will explain:
The state fee
The process
Any required ID or authorization
You choose whether to purchase the official certificate.
🌳 7. Members Access Their Family Tree Online
If you have a membership, you can:
Log in anytime
Add/edit relatives
Build your own tree
Save your work
Download your tree as PNG/PDF
Access member-only resources
Your tree stays private and secure.
📁 8. Full Family Tree Build (if you choose this service)
If we are building your tree:
We organize all your information
We confirm dates and names
We build out generations where records allow
You receive a beautiful digital tree
Plus a summary report of your lineage
Additional generations may require additional research time.
🕒 9. Timeline & Communication
Most record searches take:
2–5 business days
(depending on the type of record and how detailed it is)
Full genealogy research may take:
2–6 weeks, depending on the complexity
You will receive updates if additional information is needed.
⭐ 10. Your Information Stays Confidential
We do not:
Sell your information
Share your documents
Release your family tree
Provide data to third parties
Everything you submit is used only for your genealogy research.
🌟 That’s How It Works
Whether you’re building your own family tree or need help finding documents, we guide you through every step.
📧 Questions? Email us anytime at:
epierson@nativagenealogy.org