ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Records has implemented a new system that will significantly reduce the length of time it takes Georgians to obtain official copies of birth and death certificates.

The Vital Events Information System is an electronic registration system of vital records that now allows constituents to receive copies of their vital events within a few days compared to weeks with the old paper-based system. The system also improves the quality and accuracy of vital events data as well.

“The new system allows us to provide quality and timely customer service to Georgians who need to obtain official copies of their vital records,” said Dr. Stuart Brown, director of the Division of Public Health. “The Vital Events Information System not only decreases constituent wait time but it also allows for increased accuracy and completeness.”

The Vital Events Information System  began as a pilot project in April 2007. It was rolled out statewide in August with an initial focus on birth registration. The pilot stage for death registration began in November and will be rolled out statewide in February. Prior to VEIS, it took as long as six to eight weeks for births to be registered in the system and made available to customers.

With the new system, these vital records are registered and produced per a customer’s request within an average of 13 days.

The new electronic system not only focuses on reducing the time vital records are available to customers, but it provides more reliable data as well. Vital records data is often used by key partners such as the Division of Family and Children Services and parents to help make public health decisions for at-risk children.

Accurate information is also imperative for families who have suffered a loss and need to obtain death certificates for insurance purposes. With VEIS is now able to retrieve accurate data from vital records clerks in hospitals and other sources.

If an error occurs either on a birth or death certificate, it can now be corrected within the system eliminating the need to issue custodial copies to local offices.

Other features of the Vital Events Information System include:
• Certified copies of vital events now available in all Georgia counties.
• Local custodians can issue certified copies of vital records.
• Registration of paternity acknowledgments at hospitals without delay.

For more information about the Office of Vital Records, please visit: http://health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/index.asp.