SYSTEMS FOR VITAL RECORDS STEWARDSHIP 

NAPHSIS and its members work with a variety of partners to improve the efficiency and security of vital records operations in every state, plus the District of Columbia, New York City, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Marianas Islands. Working with federal partners such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the Social Security Administration, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of Personnel Management, NAPHSIS has developed and operates electronic systems, EVVE and STEVE, for vital records offices that:

• Allow for the secure exchange of vital records and information among jurisdictions,

• Provide data to agencies that use information from birth and death records, and

• Support electronic verification and/or certification of vital event records.

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NAPHSIS supports these initiatives to improve the quality, speed, availability, and security of vital records and statistics through training, standards, best practices, and technical assistance.

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NAPHSIS also works with its members, corporate partners, and federal partners to support the development and use of electronic birth and death registration systems. These systems enable health departments to register and administer vital records securely, accurately, and quickly. Chances are, if you order a certified birth or death certificate, it will be issued from one of these systems.

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Why is it so important to keep vital records secure?

Birth certificates are used as a primary source to confirm a person's identity and citizenship. It is essential to keep them in a secure environment—not just in your home, but also in your birth state. Most jurisdictions will only issue your birth certificate to you or your immediate family. State laws and regulations protect these electronic records to prevent fraud and theft of your identity. Access to your electronic record is limited to authorized public health and administrative uses. Health departments also secure and restrict access to death records to prevent property fraud and identity theft.