I just received this from a fellow lister. Hope this clarifies everything for everyone. M There is no rush on California Vitals. I recently talked to the folks at the office of Vital Records- here is what I have posted to the California lists. Carolyn From: carolyn < [email protected]> Subject: AB 1278- INFORMATIONAL BIRTH & DEATH CERTIFICATES Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 10:15:01 -0700 Ron and all........... Good news- it is going to be "business as usual" in obtaining Informational Birth and Death certificates, at least until July 1, 2007. No need to scramble for certs at this time nor will there be any delay in the process------at least for now. I have just spoken to a Policy Analyst from the California State Office of Vital Records. She informed me that AB 1278, which recently passed the house and senate, is currently on the Governors desk awaiting his signature. This Bill will push the requirement for using the Statewide database prepared by the State Registrar, for the use in obtaining Informational Birth and Death certificates ,out to July 1, 2007. full text if AB 1278 http://tinyurl.com/b2bex Pertinent section.........: Existing law, commencing January 1, 2006, prohibits local registrars and county recorders from issuing informational certified copies of birth and death certificates from any source other than the statewide database prepared by the State Registrar. This bill would change the operative date of this prohibition from January 1, 2006, to July 1, 2007. ------------------------------ also note: Existing law requires all certified copies of birth and death records issued by the State Registrar, local registrar, or county recorder to be printed on chemically sensitized security paper. Existing law also requires these entities to issue an informational certified copy of these documents under certain circumstances. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2006, requires that the security paper used for informational certified copies of birth and death records also contain a statement in perforated type that states "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." This bill would change the operative date for this requirement from January 1, 2006, to July 1, 2007. This is the CURRENT LAW which has been amended: Health and Safety Code- Section: 103526. (f) Informational certified copies of birth and death certificates issued pursuant to subdivision (b) shall only be printed from the single statewide database prepared by the State Registrar and shall be electronically redacted to remove any signatures for purposes of compliance with this section. Local registrars and county recorders shall not issue informational certified copies of birth and death certificates from any source other than the statewide database prepared by the State Registrar. This subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2006. Best, Carolyn From: Ron Filion < [email protected] <mailto: [email protected]>> Subject: Informational Birth & Death Certificates Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 16:26:57 -0700 As of January 2006, all Informational copies have to be issued from the State's database and not the local counties. I spoke recently with one of the local County Clerk's offices. I was told that the State was NOT ready to do this. So, unless they get a legal extension, there may a significant delay (12 to 24 months). Ron