As the previous poster stated, it depends on the state. Some states never bother to publish them.

For your direct ancestors though, you are almost always eligible to order a vital records copy. I was even able to order my mother's even though she is still living. You don't need a certified copy for genealogy purposes, not even for lineage societies. So put genealogy research as a reason. Sometimes those are cheaper. In other cases, it allows them to send you an uncertified copy even when they cannot send you a certified on.