Section 1200-07-01-.01 - DUTIES OF STATE REGISTRAR(1) Forms. All forms, certificates, and reports used in the system of vital records are the property of the Department of Public Health and shall be surrendered to the State Registrar of Vital Records hereinafter referred to as "State Registrar" upon demand. The forms prescribed and distributed by the State Registrar for reporting vital events shall be used only for official purposes. No forms shall be used in the reporting of vital events or making copies thereof except those furnished or approved by the State Registrar.(2) Requirements for Preparation of Certificates. All certificates and records relating to vital events must be prepared on a typewriter with a black ribbon. All signatures required shall be entered in black, unfading ink. Unless otherwise directed by the State Registrar, no certificate shall be complete and correct and acceptable for registration: (a) That does not have the certifier's name typed or printed legibly under his signature;(b) That does not supply all items of information called for thereon or satisfactorily account for their omission;(c) That contains alterations or erasures;(d) That does not contain handwritten signatures as required;(e) That is marked "copy" or "duplicate,"(f) That is a carbon copy;(g) That is prepared on an improper form;(h) That contains improper or inconsistent data;(i) That contains an indefinite cause of death which denotes only symptoms of disease or conditions resulting from disease;(j) That is not prepared in conformity with regulations or instructions issued by the State Registrar.(3) Designation of Additional Offices. (a) The State Registrar shall determine whether offices other than the Division of Vital Records are needed in this State to aid in the efficient administration of the system of vital records. Such determination shall be based on the most efficient method by which the needs of the people of this State can be met.(b) If the State Registrar determines additional offices are necessary, such offices shall be designated with the approval of the Department. The duties and responsibilities may be assigned to currently existing offices or special branch offices of the Division of Vital Records may be established in those areas where they are deemed necessary, or a combination of existing offices and branch offices may be used. In all cases where existing offices are utilized, the employees of such offices shall be deemed to be employees of the Division of Vital Records and subject to the control of the State Registrar when they are performing functions relating to the system of Vital Records.(c) The State Registrar shall delegate such duties and responsibilities to such offices as he deems necessary to insure the efficient operation of the system of vital records. These may include any or all of the following: 1. The receipt and processing of birth, death and fetal death records. This would include the receipt of these records from the person responsible for filing the record, checking them for accuracy and completeness, and forwarding them to the Division of Vital Records at intervals prescribed by the State Registrar.2. Issuance of certified copies of birth and/or death records. The records from which the certified copies are issued shall be provided by the Division of Vital Records. All forms and procedures used to issue the copies shall be provided or approved by the State Registrar. If it is deemed appropriate and feasible, any such office may be authorized and provided copies of all birth and/or death records filed in this State.3. Act as the agent of the State Registrar in their area and provide assistance to physicians, hospitals, funeral directors, and others in matters related to the system of vital records.(d) The State Registrar shall determine the responsibilities and duties of each office independently.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.01
Original rule certified June 7, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed January 18, 1978; effective February 17, 1978. Amendment filed May 17, 1979; effective July 2, 1979. Amendment filed April 16, 1981; effective June 1, 1981.Authority: T.C.A. §§53-404 and 53-444.