One thing that the keepers (literally) of our Vital Records cite is
the privacy of the family & individual for not allowing release of
Death Records.

All one has to do is read most Obituaries to see that they contain
far more information, excluding cause of death, than any Death
Certificate filed with any States Vital Records Office. If there is
anyone interested in the cause of death, that can be found in a copy
of the death record filed with the County Clerk where the death
occured. The County Records are open to the public.

This is only a personal opinion, but I can see no valid reason for
not releasing UNCERTIFIED copies of Death Records. I do understand,
and agree, why Birth Records of living persons should not be released,
as well as CERTIFIED copies of Death Records. Uncertified Records,
properly marked to prevent falsification, cannot be used in any Court
action for any purpose, only Certified Records are acceptable for
those purposes if I understand this correctly.

Russell L. Lawrence

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