WSR 22-09-002
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed April 6, 2022, 4:05 p.m., effective October 1, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2022.
Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: HB 1031 (chapter 55, Laws of 2021), which created a new certification of birth resulting in stillbirth, becomes effective on October 1, 2022. This rule is necessary to implement the law.
Purpose: Chapter 246-491 WAC, Certificates; and WAC 246-490-200 Electronic reporting of deaths. The department of health (DOH) adopted rules that amended chapter 246-491 WAC, Certificates, to prescribe the information displayed on the certification of birth resulting in stillbirth, add the certification of birth resulting in stillbirth to existing requirements for a person to prove eligibility to obtain the certification, and make necessary editorial changes. WAC 246-490-200 Electronic reporting of deaths, is amended to remove the exclusion of electronic registration of fetal deaths.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-490-200, 246-491-159, 246-491-300, 246-491-310, 246-491-320, and 246-491-330.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: HB 1031 (chapter 55, Laws of 2021).
Other Authority: Chapter 70.58A RCW.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 22-04-093 on February 1, 2022.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Katitza Holthaus, DOH, Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-4311, fax 360-753-4135, TTY 711, email vitalrecordsrules@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 5, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 6, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: April 6, 2022.
Kristin Peterson, JD
Deputy Secretary
Policy and Planning
for Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH
Secretary
OTS-3401.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 17-22-073, filed 10/27/17, effective 1/1/18)
WAC 246-490-200Electronic reporting of deaths.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, all deaths that occur in Washington state((, excluding fetal deaths,)) must be reported electronically using the format and system prescribed by the state registrar.
(2) All fetal deaths that occur in Washington state must be reported using the format and system prescribed by the state registrar. Persons required to report fetal deaths must use the electronic system prescribed by the state registrar once the department makes available an electronic format for registering fetal deaths.
OTS-3402.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-13-017, filed 6/5/20, effective 1/1/21)
WAC 246-491-159Items on birth and death certifications and informational copies.
Certifications and informational copies of birth and death records issued from the state vital records system must contain only items in accordance with this section.
(1) Unless the items are not available or were not collected at the time of birth registration, certifications of birth, certifications of delayed birth, and informational copies of birth and delayed births will display only the following items:
Vital Record Item
Certification of Birth and Informational Birth Copy
Certification of Delayed Birth and Informational Delayed Birth Copy
State file number
Yes
Yes
Date certificate issued
Yes
Yes
First and middle name(s) of subject of the record
Yes
Yes
Last name(s) of subject of the record
Yes
Yes
Date of birth of subject of the record
Yes
Yes
Facility born
Yes
Yes
Place of birth (city, county, state)
Yes
Yes
Time of birth
Yes
Yes
Sex
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent's name prior to first marriage
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent's place of birth
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent's date of birth or age at the time of child's birth
Yes
Yes
Father/parent's current legal name
Yes
Yes
Father/parent's place of birth
Yes
Yes
Father/parent's date of birth or age at the time of child's birth
Yes
Yes
Evidence required by RCW 70.58A.120, 70.58A.130, and WAC 246-490-081
No
Yes
Date record filed
Yes
Yes
Fee number
Yes
Yes
Signature of applicant
No
Yes
(2)(a) For deaths registered starting January 1, 2018, long form certifications of death, short form certifications of death, and informational copies of death will display only the following items:
Vital Record Item
Long Form Certification of Death
Short Form Certification of Death
Informational Copy of Death
State file number
Yes
Yes
Yes
Date certificate issued
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fee number
Yes
Yes
Yes
Decedent's legal first and middle name(s)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Decedent's last name(s)
Yes
Yes
Yes
County of death
Yes
Yes
Yes
Date of death
Yes
Yes
Yes
Hour of death
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sex
Yes
Yes
Yes
Age
Yes
Yes
Yes
Social Security number
Yes
No
No
Place of death
Yes
Yes
Yes
Facility or address of death
Yes
Yes
Yes
City, state, zip
Yes
Yes
Yes
Hispanic origin
Yes
Yes
Yes
Race
Yes
Yes
Yes
Residence street
Yes
Yes
Yes
Residence city, state, zip
Yes
Yes
Yes
Residence county
Yes
Yes
Yes
Is residence inside city limits?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tribal reservation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Length of time at residence
Yes
Yes
Yes
Birth date
Yes
Yes
Yes
Birthplace
Yes
Yes
Yes
Father/parent name
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent name
Yes
Yes
Yes
((Martial))Marital status
Yes
Yes
Yes
Spouse
Yes
Yes
Yes
Method of disposition of remains
Yes
Yes
Yes
Place of disposition of remains
Yes
Yes
Yes
City, state of disposition of remains
Yes
Yes
Yes
Disposition date of remains
Yes
Yes
Yes
Occupation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Industry
Yes
Yes
Yes
Education
Yes
Yes
Yes
U.S. Armed Forces
Yes
Yes
Yes
Informant name
Yes
Yes
Yes
Informant's relationship to decedent
Yes
Yes
Yes
Informant's address
Yes
Yes
Yes
Funeral facility
Yes
Yes
Yes
Funeral facility address
Yes
Yes
Yes
Funeral facility city, state, zip
Yes
Yes
Yes
Funeral director name
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cause of death (A, B, C, and D)
Yes
No
No
Other conditions contributing to death
Yes
No
No
Date of injury
Yes
No
No
Hour of injury
Yes
No
No
Injury at work
Yes
No
No
Place of injury
Yes
No
No
Location of injury
Yes
No
No
City, state, zip of injury
Yes
No
No
County of injury
Yes
No
No
Describe how the injury occurred
Yes
No
No
If transportation injury, specify
Yes
No
No
Manner of death
Yes
No
No
Autopsy
Yes
No
No
Were autopsy findings available to complete cause of death?
Yes
No
No
Did tobacco use contribute to death?
Yes
No
No
Pregnancy status if female
Yes
No
No
Certifier name
Yes
No
No
Certifier title
Yes
No
No
Certifier address
Yes
No
No
Certifier city, state, zip
Yes
No
No
Date signed by certifier
Yes
No
No
Case referred to ME/coroner?
Yes
No
No
File number
Yes
No
No
Attending physician
Yes
No
No
Local deputy registrar
Yes
Yes
Yes
Date received by local deputy registrar
Yes
Yes
Yes
(b) For deaths registered before January 1, 2018, long form certifications of death will contain only the vital record items as indicated for long form certification in (a) of this subsection if such vital record items are available or were collected at the time of death registration.
(c) For deaths registered before January 1, 2018, informational copies of death will contain only the vital record items as indicated for informational death copy in (a) of this subsection if such vital record items are available or were collected at the time of death registration.
(d) The short form certification of death is not available for deaths registered before January 1, 2018.
(3)(a) Certification of fetal death and certification of birth resulting in stillbirth will display only the following items:
((Vital Record Item
Local file number
State file number
Name of fetus (first, middle, last, suffix)
Sex
Date of delivery
Time of delivery
Type of birthplace
Planned birthplace, if different
Name of facility
Facility I.D.
City, town, or location of delivery
Zip code of delivery
County of delivery
Mother's name before first marriage (first, middle, last)
Mother's date of birth
Mother's current legal last name, if different
Mother's birthplace (state, territory, or foreign country)
Mother's residence - Number and street
Mother's residence - Apt no.
Mother's residence - City or town
Mother's residence - County
If you live on tribal reservation, give name
State or foreign country
Zip code +4
Mother's residence inside city limits
How long at current residence?
Name and title of person completing cause of death
Signature of person completing cause of death
Date signed by person completing cause of death
Name and title of person delivering the fetus
NPI of person delivering the fetus
Method of disposition
Date of disposition
Place of disposition
Disposition location - City/town, and state
Name and complete address of funeral facility
Funeral director signature
Initiating cause/condition
Other significant causes or conditions
Estimated time of fetal death
Was an autopsy performed?
Was a histological placental examination performed?
Registrar signature
Date received by local registrar))
Vital Record Item
Certification of Fetal Death
Certification of Birth
Resulting in Stillbirth
State file number
Yes
Yes
Date certificate issued
Yes
Yes
First and middle name(s) of fetus
Yes
Yes
Last name(s) of fetus
Yes
Yes
Sex
Yes
Yes
Date and time of delivery
Yes
Yes
Place of delivery (city, county, state)
Yes
Yes
Name of facility
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent's name prior to first marriage
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent's place of birth
Yes
Yes
Mother/parent's date of birth or age at the time of the delivery
Yes
Yes
Father/parent's current legal name
Yes
Yes
Father/parent's place of birth
Yes
Yes
Father/parent's date of birth or age at the time of the delivery
Yes
Yes
Name and title of person completing cause of death
Yes
No
Date signed by person completing cause of death
Yes
No
Name and title of person delivering the fetus
Yes
No
Method of disposition
Yes
 
Date of disposition
Yes
No
Place of disposition
Yes
No
Disposition location – City/town, and state
Yes
No
Funeral facility name
Yes
No
Funeral facility address
Yes
No
Funeral director name
Yes
No
Initiating cause/condition
Yes
No
Other significant causes or conditions
Yes
No
Estimated time of fetal death
Yes
No
Was an autopsy performed?
Yes
No
Was a histological placental examination performed?
Yes
No
Local deputy registrar
Yes
No
Data record filed
Yes
Yes
Fee number
Yes
Yes
(b) For fetal deaths registered before October 1, 2022, certifications of fetal death or certification of birth resulting in stillbirth will contain only the vital record items as indicated in (a) of this subsection if such vital record items are available or were collected at the time of fetal death registration.
(c) The certification of birth resulting in stillbirth is not proof of a live birth and is not an identity document.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-13-017, filed 6/5/20, effective 1/1/21)
WAC 246-491-300Requirements for ordering certifications of birth, death, ((and)) fetal death, and birth resulting in stillbirth.
(1) For certifications of birth, death, ((and)) fetal death, and birth resulting in stillbirth, the state or local registrar shall release certifications only to qualified applicants as permitted by chapter 70.58A RCW.
(2) For each application, the qualified applicant must submit all of the following:
(a) Information to correctly identify the record consistent with the requirements of WAC 246-491-310;
(b) Identity documentation consistent with the requirements of WAC 246-491-320;
(c) Evidence of eligibility consistent with the requirements of WAC 246-491-330; and
(d) Fees required by RCW 70.58A.560 and WAC 246-491-990, or evidence that the qualified applicant is eligible to receive certifications of a vital record at no charge as required by WAC 246-491-350.
(3) All identity documentation and evidence of eligibility documentation submitted to the state or local registrar from the applicant must originate from a source which the state or local registrar can reasonably verify the authenticity of the documentation.
(4) The applicant must submit all required information and documentation to the state or local registrar within thirty days of the state or local registrar requesting additional information. After thirty days, the application is considered denied.
(5) When the applicant cannot submit the required information or documentation, the applicant will be given an opportunity through an exception process to explain the circumstances to the state or local registrar. If the circumstances presented would have prevented the applicant from providing items required by this section, the state or local registrar may grant an exception and issue the record.
(6) The state or local registrar may deny an application if the applicant fails to meet the requirements of this section or chapter 70.58A RCW. If the state registrar denies an application for failing to meet the requirements, the applicant may appeal the decision by requesting a brief adjudicative proceeding pursuant to WAC 246-10-501 through 246-10-505, and RCW 70.58A.550.
(7) For the purpose of this section:
(a) "Application" means a documented request for certifications of birth, death, ((and)) fetal death, and birth resulting in stillbirth, including short form certifications of death where applicable.
(b) "Birth" includes delayed birth, but does not include birth resulting in stillbirth.
(c) "Stillbirth" means the same as fetal death as defined in RCW 70.58A.010.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-13-017, filed 6/5/20, effective 1/1/21)
WAC 246-491-310Information required to order certifications of birth, death, ((and)) fetal death, and birth resulting in stillbirth.
(1) A qualified applicant requesting a certification of birth must submit the following information as it appears on the birth record on a form provided by the state or local registrar:
(a) First, middle, and last name of the subject of the record;
(b) First and last name of all parents listed on the record;
(c) Date of birth; and
(d) City or county where the birth occurred.
(2) A qualified applicant requesting a certification of death must submit the following information on a form provided by the state or local registrar:
(a) First and last name of the decedent as it appears on the record;
(b) Approximate date of death; and
(c) City or county where the death occurred.
(3) A qualified applicant requesting a certification of fetal death or certification of birth resulting in stillbirth, or both, must submit the following information on a form provided by the state or local registrar:
(a) First and last name of the fetus as it appears on the record;
(b) First and last name of the individual who gave birth as it appears on the record;
(c) Date of delivery; and
(d) City or county where the delivery occurred.
(4) For the purpose of this section:
(a) "Birth" includes delayed birth, but does not include birth resulting in stillbirth.
(b) (("Death" includes))"Stillbirth" means the same as fetal death as defined in RCW 70.58A.010.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-13-017, filed 6/5/20, effective 1/1/21)
WAC 246-491-320Identity documentation required to obtain certifications of birth, death, ((and)) fetal death, and birth resulting in stillbirth.
(1) The qualified applicant must submit identity documentation to the state or local registrar to receive a certification of birth, death, ((or)) fetal death, or birth resulting in stillbirth in accordance with this section.
(2)(a) The qualified applicant must submit to the state or local registrar one of the following pieces of identity documentation, valid or expired no more than sixty days that contains the applicant's full name, photograph, and date of birth:
(i) Enhanced driver's license, driver's license, or instruction permit issued by a state or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
(ii) A Washington state identification card or an identification card issued by another state;
(iii) A military identification card;
(iv) A United States passport or passport card; or
(v) An identification document issued by local, state, federal, or foreign government, or federally recognized Indian tribe.
(b) A qualified applicant requesting on behalf of a government agency or courts to conduct official duties may use an identification card issued by their government agency or courts that contains the full name and photograph of the applicant.
(3) If a qualified applicant is unable to submit one identity documentation listed in subsection (2) of this section, they must provide at least two alternate forms of identification. Alternate forms of identification may include, but are not limited to, government issued identifications listed in subsection (2)(a) of this section if expired more than sixty days, letters from government or social agencies, pay statements, utility bills, student identification with photo, or other items acceptable to the state registrar. Alternate forms of identification must at least contain matching first and last names and addresses, or provide the full name, photograph, and date of birth.
(4) For applications received by telephone or internet, the qualified applicant may choose to take an authentication quiz in lieu of submitting identity documents. The authentication quiz must contain or ask information requiring personal knowledge not available from reviewing current information typically found in their wallet or personal possession. If the authentication quiz is not successfully completed, the applicant must submit identity documentation listed in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(5) Proof of citizenship is not required information to receive a certification of birth, death, ((or)) fetal death, or birth resulting in stillbirth.
(6) For the purpose of this section((,)):
(a) "Birth" includes delayed birth, but does not include birth resulting in stillbirth.
(b) "Stillbirth" means the same as fetal death as defined in RCW 70.58A.010.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-13-017, filed 6/5/20, effective 1/1/21)
WAC 246-491-330Evidence of eligibility.
(1) The qualified applicant must submit evidence of eligibility documents to the state or local registrar to prove they are eligible to receive a certification of birth, death, ((or)) fetal death, or birth resulting in stillbirth.
(2) If the qualified applicant is listed as a party on the record, and their identity documentation provided in WAC 246-491-320 sufficiently links the applicant to the record, then evidence of eligibility is met.
(3) If the qualified applicant is not listed as a party on the record or the identity documentation does not sufficiently link the qualified applicant to the record, the following documentation may serve as evidence of eligibility:
(a) Copies of vital records such as certifications of birth, death, marriage, and divorce from this or another jurisdiction that link the applicant to the requested record;
(b) Copies of certified court orders from a court of competent jurisdiction linking the applicant to the record;
(c) Document or letter from title insurer or title insurance agent handling a transaction on behalf of the decedent;
(d) Document or letter from a government agency or courts stating the certification will be used in the conduct of official duties; or
(e) Other documents that link the applicant to the record as determined by the state registrar.
(4) For the purpose of this section((,)):
(a) "Birth" includes delayed birth, but does not include birth resulting in stillbirth.
(b) "Stillbirth" means the same as fetal death as defined in RCW 70.58A.010.