(a) Birth certificates.
(1) The State Registrar, Local Registrar, or county
clerk shall issue only two types of certified copies:
(A) a full reproduction of the legal portion of the
original record as filed in their office with any addendum(s); or
(B) an abstract of birth facts, taken from the original
record. Probate records and delayed records may not be abstracted.
An abstract shall be issued in one of three styles:
(i) a standard certified abstract;
(ii) an electronic or computer generated certified
abstract prepared in accordance with Health and Safety Code, §192.005
or §192.011, or when the condition of the original record does
not permit full reproduction; or
(iii) an heirloom style certified abstract which may
only be issued by the State Registrar.
(2) Each certified copy of a record, or abstract of
birth facts, shall be issued over the signature or facsimile thereof
of the officer to whom the record is entrusted, and shall bear the
seal of their office, and a statement of certification:
(A) either as a part of the custodian's files; or
(B) as authorized to be issued from the State Registrar's
file.
(3) All certified copies of birth records shall include
the following information, if known:
(A) state or local file number;
(B) given name(s);
(C) surname;
(D) date of birth;
(E) state, and city or county of birth;
(F) sex;
(G) father's name;
(H) mother's maiden name;
(I) date of filing;
(J) date certified copy issued;
(K) certification statement;
(L) signature or facsimile signature of the custodian;
and
(M) the seal of their office.
(b) Death certificates.
(1) The State Registrar, Local Registrar, or county
clerk shall issue only two types of certified copies:
(A) a full reproduction of the original record and
any addenda as filed in their office; or
(B) a certified abstract of death facts, taken from
the original record.
(2) All certified copies of death records shall include:
(A) state or local file number;
(B) given name(s);
(C) surname;
(D) date of death;
(E) date of birth;
(F) state, city or county of death;
(G) sex;
(H) date of filing;
(I) date certified copy issued;
(J) certification statement;
(K) signature or facsimile signature of the custodian;
and
(L) the seal of their office.
(c) Security features. No certified copy or abstract
shall be issued unless the issuing office provides security features
in the paper used for issuance. Each sheet or document shall be made
on paper which contains as a minimum the following security features
in accordance with the security standards adopted by the department:
(1) consecutive numbers;
(2) background security features;
(3) security printing techniques, such as engraved
border, latent images, microprinting, rainbow printing, tactile printing,
and copy evident;
(4) sensitized security paper;
(5) security inks, such as erasable inks, fluorescent
inks, thermochromic inks, and color shifting inks; and
(6) non-optical brightener paper.
(d) Record retention. An electronic record or paper
application that includes the date issued, document control number,
name, address and signature, and a photocopy or facsimile of the form
of identification to whom the record was issued shall be made and
maintained for a period of three years from the date issued.
(e) The Vital Statistics Unit will develop standards
for procurement parameters regarding the purchase and distribution
of the issuing medium for birth certificates, including paper.
(f) The Vital Statistics Unit will explore options
regarding establishment of a central database for the issuance of
certified copies and abstracts of birth certificates by State and
Local Registrars.
(g) The Vital Statistics Unit will develop standards
to limit access to archived paper birth certificates and set standards
for the paper used to print certified copies and abstracts of birth.
(h) Properly Qualified Applicant Acceptable Documentation.
(1) In accordance with Health and Safety Code, §191.051,
"Certified Copies," all lobby and mail-in applications submitted to
obtain certified documents must meet the guidelines set out in this
rule.
(2) All applicants for certified documents must present
proof of identity acceptable to the State Registrar.
(3) All requests for certified documents must be submitted
on a state-approved application or in a format that is acceptable
to the State Registrar.
(4) All lobby and mail-in applications submitted to
obtain certified documents must contain the applicant's signature.
(5) All applicants must sufficiently identify the vital
record that is of interest at the time of request.
(6) All primary identification documents must have
a United States issuance origin.
(7) All identification documents must be verifiable
by the source that issued the document.
(8) The Vital Statistics Unit shall retain a photocopy
of all documents submitted and accepted as proof of identification
in accordance with the retention period in subsection (e) of this
section.
(9) All applicants must present identification consistent
with the following identification requirements:
(A) primary identification outlined in paragraph (10)
of this subsection; or
(B) secondary identification reflected in paragraph
(11) of this subsection; and
(C) supporting documentation stated in paragraph (12)
of this subsection.
(10) Primary Identification.
(A) Primary Identification documents do not require
supporting instruments, unless otherwise specified.
(B) All acceptable Primary Identification documents
must be current and valid.
(C) The applicant's identification must contain the
applicant's name and photograph that establishes the applicant's identity.
(D) Acceptable forms of Primary Identification:
(i) Driver's License;
(ii) Federal or State Identification card;
(iii) Federal, State or City law enforcement employment
identification card, or employment badge accompanied by employment
identification card;
(iv) Offender Identification card issued by the Department
of Criminal Justice correctional facility or institution;
(v) Military Identification card;
(vi) Department of Homeland Security, United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued:
(I) Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
(II) Permanent Resident Card (green card);
(III) Travel Documents:
(-a-) Re-entry Permit;
(-b-) Refugee Travel Permit; or
(-c-) Advance Parole.
(IV) SENTRI Card; or
(V) U.S. Citizen Identification Card.
(vii) United States Department of State issued:
(I) Border Crossing Card (B1 for business or pleasure
or B2 medical purposes); or
(II) Visa.
(viii) Concealed Handgun License;
(ix) Pilot's license; or
(x) United States Passport.
(11) Secondary identification.
(A) In the absence of a form of primary identification,
applicants are permitted to submit secondary forms of identification
to establish proof of their identity.
(B) When submitting secondary forms of identification,
applicants are required to produce:
(i) two forms of Acceptable Secondary Identification,
of different types; or
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