Last year's legislation is taking effect. The following public notice was published in the *Auburn Journal* on Friday, June 13th. (Capitalized words are as they appear in the public notice.): * * * * * REQUEST FOR BIRTH OR DEATH RECORD EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003 Beginning July 1, 2003 California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 permits only specific individuals to receive an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY of a birth or death record. An AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY of a birth record is required to obtain a driver's license, passport, social security card and other services related to an individual's identity. An AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY of a death record may be required to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify social security and obtain other services related to an individual's identity. Please see below for a list of authorized individuals. Those who do not meet the criteria for an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY may receive an INFORMATIONAL CERTIFIED COPY with the words "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY" imprinted across the face of the copy. When ordering in person: an authorized individual must complete an approved application, including a signed statement sworn under penalty of perjury to receive an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY. When ordering by mail: a notarized Certificate of Identity and completed application form, signed under penalty of perjury by the authorized requestor are required. Applications and Certificate of Identity forms are available on our website at www.placer.ca.gov/clerk. Individuals permitted to receive an AUTHORIZED CERTIFIED COPY: * The registrant or a parent or legal guardian of the registrant. * A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record in order to comply with the requirements of Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code. * A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another government agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business. * A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of the registrant. * An attorney representing the registrant or the registrant's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the registrant or the registrant's estate. * Any funeral director that orders certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of any individual specified in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, or subdivision (a) of Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code. Jim McCauley Placer County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar * * * * * [End of public notice.] After July 1st, when you order birth or death certificates for genealogical use, be sure to order an "Informational Certified Copy," not an "Authorized Certified Copy." This legislation is effective state-wide, not just in Placer County. Thank you to Joyce House, President of the Placer County Genealogical Society, for bringing this notice to my attention. Barbara Leak Research Chair, Placer County Genealogical Society www.pcgenes.com/pcgs.html Treasurer, Genealogical & Historical Council of Sacramento Valley www.sacvalleygenes.org Join us for: "A Golden Prospect" National Genealogical Society's Conference in the States Sacramento Convention Center 19-22 May 2004