Health, Department of

Vital Records Services

Chapter 5: Death Registration

Effective Date: 10/01/1993 to 07/02/1997

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 048.0059.5.10011993

Date Filed 10/01/93 Expr Date Supr Date Repeal Date Document Type RULES

CHAPTER V

DEATH REGISTRATION

Section 1. Responsibility for Filing. The funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body is responsible for completing and filing the death certificate. He shall:

1. (a) Complete all items on the death certificate except the physician's, county health officer's or coroner's statement attesting to the time, date, place and cause of death;
2. (b) Secure all necessary signatures and review the certificate for completeness and accuracy;
3. (c) If the death occurred without medical attendance, if the physician last in attendance refuses or fails to sign the certificate, or if circumstances suggest the death was not due to natural causes, immediately notify the local registrar who shall refer the case to the county health officer or county coroner.
4. (d) File the certificate with the local registrar.

Section 2. Medical Certification.

(a) The medical statement of cause of death shall be completed and signed within twenty-four (24) hours after the death by the physician in charge of the patient's care, unless inquiry is required by a post-mortem examination. If such an inquiry is required, the medical statement shall be completed and signed pursuant to Chapter V, Section 3, (c) of these rules.

(b) A physician other than the attending physician who relieves the attending physician while he is on vacation or otherwise unavailable may certify to the cause of death in any case where he has access to the medical history of the deceased, provided that he views the deceased at the time of death or at some point after death and that the death is from natural causes. In all other cases in which a physician is unavailable, the local registrar shall refer the case to the local health officer or coroner who shall prepare and file the medical certification of cause of death.

(c) In cases of death from other than natural causes, the coroner shall complete and sign the medical certification with the assistance of a competent physician within twenty-four (24) hours after taking charge of the case.

(d) The cause of death shall be stated as accurately and specifically as possible.

(e) If the death was not from natural causes, the certificate must state the type of injury which caused the death.

Section 3. Time Limits.

(a) The death certificate shall be filed with the local registrar of the county in which the death occurred within three (3) days of the date of death.

(b) When a death certificate cannot be completed within three (3) days of the date of death, the local registrar may grant an extension of time, not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours. In all cases a death certificate must be filed with the local registrar within five (5) days of the date of death.

(c) If the attending physician, local health officer, or coroner is unable to complete the medical certification of cause of death within the time limits specified above, he shall sign the certificate and mark the cause of death 'Pending.'

(d) If the funeral director is unable to obtain the personal information within the specified time limit, he shall file the certificate with the information that is available.

(e) When an incomplete death certificate is filed, a supplemental report providing the missing information shall be filed with the State Registrar as soon as possible.

Section 4. Presumptive Death. When a death is presumed to have occurred within this state but the body cannot be located, a death certificate may be prepared by the State Registrar only upon receipt of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, which shall include the finding of facts required to complete the death certificate. Such a death certificate shall be marked 'Presumptive' and shall show on its face the date of death as determined by the court, the date of registration, and shall identify the court and the date of the decree.