36-302. System of vital records; powers and duties of the state registrar

A. The director of the department is the state registrar of vital records.

B. The state registrar of vital records shall:

1. Adopt rules to implement a statewide system of vital records pursuant to this chapter using the recommendations of the federal agency responsible for national vital statistics as guidelines subject to modification by the state registrar.

2. Administer and enforce this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter and provide for the efficient administration of a statewide system of vital records.

3. Organize, operate and maintain the only system of vital records in this state.

4. Direct and supervise the creation and registration of vital records, electronically and physically, and be the custodian of vital records.

5. Establish registration districts throughout this state.

6. Appoint, direct and remove local registrars.

7. Prescribe and distribute forms required pursuant to this chapter and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

8. Prepare and issue copies of vital records.

9. Provide a means for the public to request a copy of a vital record and grant or deny the request according to criteria prescribed by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. These rules shall include eligibility criteria, proof of identity requirements and payment requirements to obtain the requested vital record.

10. Pursuant to section 16-165, transmit each month to the county recorder a record of the death of each resident of the county recorder's county who is at least sixteen years of age.

11. Determine acceptability and completeness of a certificate, evidentiary document or form submitted to the state registrar.

12. Investigate violations of this chapter and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

13. Report violations of this chapter and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter to the county attorney in the registration district in which the violation occurs or to the attorney general.

C. The state registrar may:

1. Appoint, in writing, one or more persons to serve as assistant state registrars with any or all powers and duties vested in the state registrar.

2. Appoint, direct and remove a deputy local registrar.

3. Inspect a registration district's certificates, evidentiary documents, forms or other information related to the system of vital records.

4. Establish quality control procedures that include on-site inspections and review of evidentiary documents, forms and other information used in the creation of vital records.

5. Consolidate or subdivide registration districts.