By Journal Times staff | Posted: Sunday, October 28, 2007 12:00 am
RACINE - Jim Ladwig, Racine County's register of deeds, said Friday that he is disappointed the state has decided to increase vital record fees rather than fund them out of general revenue.
The state budget bill, recently signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle, includes an increase in the cost of certified copies of birth, death and marriage
certificates.
It also increases the fee for expedited service in issuing certified copies of vital records. The increase will take effect the day after the budget is officially published.
"The state vital records office has been contributing to the state's general revenue fund for years and now, when they need to update their records, the state decided to increase fees on the public rather than take money from general revenue," Ladwig said.
Fee changes for the first copy of a certified or uncertified record:
n Birth, $12 to $20.
Death, $7 to $20.
Marriage $7 to $20.
Expedited requests: $10 to $20.
The fee for additional certified copies remains at $3 per copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
"I am happy, with the help of many of the local representatives, we were able to defeat the initial ridiculous proposal of making both first and subsequent copies of vital records $20," Ladwig said.
The revenue generated from the state's fee increases will be used to automate the outdated paper registration, archiving and copy issuance systems at the state and all registers of deeds offices. The revenue also will help fund the data entry of birth and death records from 1935, as required by recent federal laws. The system improvements will enhance customer service and increased document security, including protection from fraudulent use of vital records.
Ladwig said certified copies of vital records are critical identity documents used on a daily basis by all Wisconsin citizens to: Secure employment, passports, drivers' licenses; to enroll in school; to receive health insurance coverage and to qualify for government programs.
Ladwig also advised citizens that Wisconsin law strictly prohibits copying vital records.
"Photocopying this important identity document or accepting an unauthorized photocopy is illegal," he said.