West Virginia Code 16-5-28 – Copies from the system of vital statistics
In accordance with § 16-5-27 of this code and the legislative rules promulgated thereunder:
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 16-5-28
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Commissioner: means the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health within the Department of Health and Human Resources. See West Virginia Code 16-5-1
- Department: means the Department of Health and Human Resources. See West Virginia Code 16-5-1
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Registration: means the process by which vital records are completed, filed and incorporated into the official records of the section of vital statistics. See West Virginia Code 16-5-1
- Research: means a systematic investigation designed primarily to develop or contribute to general knowledge. See West Virginia Code 16-5-1
- Secretary: means the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources: Provided, That beginning January 1, 2024, as used in this chapter, "secretary" means the secretary of the Department of Health. See West Virginia Code 16-1-2
- State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- System of vital statistics: means the registration, collection, preservation, amendment, certification of vital records, the collection of other reports required by this article, and related activities, including, but not limited to, the tabulation, analysis, publication and dissemination of vital statistics. See West Virginia Code 16-5-1
- Vital records: means certificates or reports and data related to birth, death, and marriage, including divorce, dissolution of marriage, and annulment. See West Virginia Code 16-5-1
(a) The State Registrar and other custodians of vital records authorized to issue certified copies shall upon receipt of an application, issue a certified copy of a vital record in his or her custody to the registrant, his or her parents, spouse, adult children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, legal guardian, or their respective authorized representative. Additionally, the State Registrar and other custodians of vital records, upon receipt of an application, shall issue a certified copy of a vital record in his or her custody to a child placing agency completing adoption on behalf of the department. Others may be authorized to obtain certified copies when they demonstrate that the record is needed for the determination or protection of his or her personal or property right. The department may promulgate rules to further define others who may obtain copies of vital records filed under this article.
(b) All forms and procedures used in the issuance of certified copies of vital records in the state shall be approved by the State Registrar. All certified copies of certificates of birth issued shall have security features that deter the document from being altered, counterfeited, duplicated, or simulated without ready detection in compliance with regulations issued by the federal government.
(c) Each copy or abstract issued shall show the date of registration, and copies or abstracts issued from records marked “Amended” shall be similarly marked and, when possible, show the effective date of the amendment. Copies issued from records marked “Delayed” shall be similarly marked and shall include the date of registration and a description of the evidence used to establish the delayed certificate. Any copy issued of a “Certificate of Foreign Birth” shall indicate the foreign birth and show the actual place of birth and the statement that the certificate is not proof of United States citizenship for the person for whom it is issued.
(d) A certified copy of a vital record issued in accordance with this section shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the record: Provided, That the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record which has been amended, or a certificate of foreign birth, shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit disclosure of information contained in the “Information for Medical and Health Use Only” section of the certificate of birth or the “Information for Statistical Purposes Only” section of the certificate of marriage or certificate of divorce or annulment unless specifically authorized by the State Registrar for statistical or research purposes. This information is not subject to subpoena or court order and is not admissible before any court, tribunal, or judicial body. Information collected for administrative use may not be included on certified copies of records, and may be disclosed only for administrative, statistical, or research purposes authorized by state or federal law and legislative rule.
(f) When the State Registrar receives information that a certificate may have been registered through fraud or misrepresentation, he or she may withhold issuance of any copy of that certificate.
(1) The State Registrar shall inform the registrant or the registrant’s authorized representative of the right to request a hearing by the commissioner.
(2) The secretary of the department may authorize the State Registrar or another person to hold an investigation or hearing to determine if fraud or misrepresentation has occurred.
(3) If upon conclusion of a hearing or investigation no fraud or misrepresentation is found, copies may be issued.
(4) If fraud or misrepresentation is found by a preponderance of the evidence, the State Registrar shall remove the certificate from the file. The certificate and evidence will be retained but will not be subject to inspection or copying except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by the State Registrar for purposes of prosecution or administration of the system of vital statistics.
(g) No person may prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original, certified copy, or copy of a vital record, except as authorized by this article, or by legislative rule.