What are Vital Records?
The Vital Records Department at your local health department plays a very important role in the registration of all births, deaths and fetal deaths, as well as the issuance of burial transit permits and disinterment/reinterment permits in our three counties.
Who Issues Certificates and Permits?
Beth Lovette, Health Director of the Appalachian District Health Department, is the Local Registrar for all three county health departments in our district. Ms. Lovette has appointed a deputy registrar and assistant deputy registrar in each county to assist her, and to act in her stead in the case of her absence.
How are Certificates and Permits Issued?
The registrar receives all original certificates of birth, death, and fetal deaths filed by hospitals, physicians and funeral directors in their district, along with a notification of death within 24 hours of the death. It is the duty of the registrar to examine each certificate for completeness and accuracy based on the provisions of vital records statues, rules, regulations and instruction of the State Registrar. If a certificate is unsatisfactory, she notifies the responsible person who is required to furnish the necessary information. She then prepares a copy of each original birth and death certificate to be sent to the register of deeds in her county. A second copy is kept in the local health department files for no more than 2 years. The original birth certificate is released electronically to Vital Records in Raleigh, and at this time paper originals of death certificates are then forwarded to the NC State Vital Records Branch twice monthly.
When a birth occurs outside a hospital or other facility (home birth), it is the responsibility of the physician, attendant (nurse midwife, etc.) or either parent to file the birth certificate with the local deputy registrar.
Please note, that with the growing trend of families’ assuming responsibility for their loved ones funeral services, without any funeral home involvement, the responsibility for proper death registration then lies with the family. The deputy registrar in that county will be available to assist the families with completion of correct forms and procedures in these cases.
Do Funeral Homes Participate in this Program?
The Appalachian District Health Department Vital Records personnel work very closely with all the funeral homes in our district, as well as out of town funeral homes, and hospitals to maintain a successful program for our counties’ citizens.
How Can You Obtain a Certified Copy of a Birth or Death Certificate?
Certified copies of birth or death certificates must be obtained from the Register of Deeds Office in each of the respective counties ,or by contact with the Vital Records office in Raleigh.
Who Do You Need to Contact About These Certificates or Permits?
Ashe: Sharon Richardson, Deputy Registrar or Katrina Roland, Assistant Deputy Registrar
Watauga: Debbie Perry, Deputy Registrar or Imelda M. Grant, Assistant Deputy Registrar
Alleghany: Bonnie Andrews, Deputy Registrar or Cindy Evans, Assistant Deputy Registrar
For more information on the NC Vital Records Program, please click here.