§ 63-1-324. Certified copies of records - Evidentiary value.

Unless otherwise provided in this article:

(a) The State Commissioner of Health shall, upon request, issue a certified copy of any certificate or record in his custody or of a part thereof.  Each copy issued from records marked "delayed," "amended," or "court order" shall be similarly marked and show the effective date.

(b) A copy of a certificate or any part thereof issued in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, certified to by the State Commissioner of Health or by a person designated by him for such purpose, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one (1) year after the event or a record which has been amended shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.  Such certification by the Commissioner or his designee, and seal accompanying the same, may be accomplished by facsimile process.

(c) The National Vital Statistics Division may be furnished such copies or data as it may require for national statistics; provided, that the State Department of Health shall be reimbursed for the cost of furnishing such data; and provided, further, that such data shall not be used for other than statistical purposes by the National Vital Statistics Division unless so authorized by the State Commissioner of Health.

(d) Federal, state, local, and other public or private agencies may, upon request, be furnished copies or data for statistical purposes, upon such terms or conditions as may be prescribed by the Commissioner.

(e) No person shall prepare or issue any certificate which purports to be an original, certified copy, or copy of a certificate of birth, death, or fetal death, except as authorized in this article, or regulations adopted hereunder.

Laws 1963, c. 325, art. 3, § 324.