32.1-271 - Disclosure of information in records; when unlawful; when permitted; proceeding to compel disclosure; when certain records made public.
§ 32.1-271. Disclosure of information in records; when unlawful; whenpermitted; proceeding to compel disclosure; when certain records made public.
A. To protect the integrity of vital records and to ensure the efficient andproper administration of the system of vital records, it shall be unlawful,notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3714, for anyperson to permit inspection of or to disclose information contained in vitalrecords or to copy or issue a copy of all or part of any such vital recordsexcept as authorized by this section or regulation of the Board or when soordered by a court of this Commonwealth.
B. Data contained in vital records may be disclosed for valid and substantialresearch purposes in accordance with the regulations of the Board.
C. Any person aggrieved by a decision of a county or city registrar mayappeal to the State Registrar. If the State Registrar denies disclosure ofinformation or inspection of or copying of vital records, such person maypetition the court of the county or city in which he resides if he resides inthe Commonwealth or in which the recorded event occurred or the Circuit Courtof the City of Richmond, Division I, for an order compelling disclosure,inspection or copying of such vital record. The State Registrar or hisauthorized representative may appear and testify in such proceeding.
D. When 100 years have elapsed after the date of birth, or 50 years haveelapsed after the date of death, marriage, or divorce, the records of theseevents in the custody of the State Registrar may become public informationand be made available in accordance with regulations that shall provide forthe continued safekeeping of the records. All records that are publicinformation on July 1, 1983, shall continue to be public information.
E. The State Registrar or the city or county registrar shall disclose dataabout or issue a certified copy of a birth certificate of a child to thegrandparent of the child upon the written request of the grandparent when thegrandparent has demonstrated to the State Registrar evidence of need, asprescribed by Board regulation, for the data or birth certificate.
F. The State Registrar or the city or county registrar shall issue acertified copy of a death certificate to the grandchild or great-grandchildof a decedent in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Board inregulation.
(Code 1950, § 32-353.26; 1960, c. 451; 1979, c. 711; 1983, c. 240; 1984, c.189; 1985, c. 313; 2005, c. 60; 2009, c. 505.)