Vital Records - Better with Blockchain

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Citizens deserve faster access to their vital records, the very records that establish their identity. Electronic issuance via the blockchain of birth, marriage and death records, instead of a paper copy, became law in California in 2023. Citizens are now able to receive an electronic vital records from California Recorders within minutes of purchase instead of waiting up to 20 days for a paper certificate to be mailed to them. Sutter County Recorder worked with legislators to allow the issuance of these certificates and is the first in California to issue electronic marriage certificates, and the first in the nation to issue electronic birth and death certificates via blockchain technology. Verification of the electronic record was key to this technology--to ensure that the sealed certificate had not been tampered with--something that cannot be done in a paper form. Verification was achieved, ensuring the record being presented is the true and accurate record of the certificate held in the County Recorder's possession.