THE VITAL STATISTICS ACT 
and 
REGULATIONS 
of 
THE MINNESOTA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH 
Minnesota Department of Health 
Division of Vital Statistics 
469 State Office Building: 
St. Pan! 1 
7641 9-5-47 6M 
1947 THE UNIFORM VITAL STATISTICS ACT 
Minnesota Statutes 1945, as amended by Laws 1947, Chapter 517, 
relating to the collection, recording and 
preservation of Vital Statistics, their use 
as evidence and penalties for violating 
144.151 Definitions for Sections 144.151 to 144.204. Subdivision 1. Un- 
less the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is in- 
tended, the following words, terms, and phrases, for the purposes of sections 
144.151 to 144.204, shall be given meanings ascribed to them. 
Subd. 2. “Vital statistics” includes the registration, preparation, tran- 
scription, collection, compilation and preservation of data pertaining to births, 
adoptions, legitimations, deaths, stillbirths, and data incidental thereto. 
Subd. 3. “Live birth” means the birth of a child who shows evidence of 
life after the child is entirely outside the mother. 
Subd. 4. “Stillbirth” means a birth after 20 weeks of gestation which is 
not a live birth. 
Subd. 5. “Dead body” means lifeless human body or such parts of the 
human body or the bones thereof from the state of which it reasonably may 
be concluded that death recently occurred. 
Subd. 6. “Person in charge of interment” means any person who places 
or causes to be placed a stillborn child or dead body or the ashes, after crema- 
tion, in a grave, vault, urn or other receptacle, or otherwise disposes thereof. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 1] 
144.152 Board Shall Establish Division; Install System; Make Rules. 
The state board of health shall: 
Establish a division of vital statistics with suitable offices properly 
equipped for the preservation of its official records; 
Install a statewide system of vital statistics; 
Make and may amend necessary regulations, according to Section 144.12, 
give instructions and prescribe and furnish at the expense of the state forms 
for collecting, transcribing, compiling and preserving vital statistics provided 
that the book of record for the local registrar shall be paid for by the city, 
village, or town comprising the registration district; and 
1 Enforce sections 144.151 to 144.204 and the regulations made pursuant 
thereto. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 2] 
144.153 Regulations; Effective Date. The regulations of the board, upon 
the approval of the attorney general, shall take effect 30 days after publica- 
tion and filing with the secretary of state. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 3] 
144.154 Primary Registration Districts. Each town, village and city 
shall, for the purposes of sections 144.151 to 144.204, constitute a primary reg- 
istration district, provided the state registrar may establish registration dis- 
tricts comprised of one or more unorganized towns and appoint registrars for 
them, and with the consent of the respective town boards or municipal coun- 
cils, combine two or more primary registration districts and appoint regis- 
trars for them. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 4] 
144.155 State Registrar; Compensation. The board shall appoint a 
qualified state registrar of vital statistics whose compensation shall be fixed 
under such provisions as may be provided by other provisions of the statutes. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 5] 
144.156 Supervision; Enforcement; Employees. The state registrar, un- 
der the supervision of the board, shall have charge of the division of vital 
statistics and be the custodian of all its files and records, and perform the du- 
ties prescribed by the board. He shall enforce sections 144.151 to 144.204 and 
the regulations of the board and have supervisory power over local registrars. 
He shall submit to the board reports of the administration of such sections. 
He may appoint and, at his pleasure, remove one or more employees of the 
board as deputy state registrars who shall render such aid as he may require 
of them. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 6] 
144.157 Local Registrar; Deputies; Report; Enforcement. The town and 
village clerk, and in cities the health officer, shall be the local registrar. A 
local registrar with the approval of the state registrar may appoint and re- 
move deputies. All local registrars shall immediately report to the state reg- 
istrar violations of sections 144.151 to 144.204 or the regulations of the board, 
and under the supervision of the state registrar shall cause all the provisions 
of such sections and regulations of the board to be enforced. Any local regis- 
trar who neglects or refuses to perform the duties imposed upon him by such 
sections shall be superseded by another to be appointed by the state registrar 
in his place. 
The board, upon the recommendation of the state registrar, may appoint 
and remove sub-registrars to receive certificates of death and issue burial 
2 permits in any designated territory. They shall be subject to the supervision 
of the state registrar. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 7] 
144.158 Board to Provide Assistance. The board shall provide other 
necessary assistance and determine the status, compensation and duties of 
persons thus employed in conformance with the provisions of the state civil 
service law. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 8] 
144.159 Filing of Birth Certificate. Within the time prescribed by the 
board a certificate of every birth shall be filed with the local registrar of the 
district in which the birth occurred, by the physician, midwife, or other legally 
authorized person in attendance at the birth; or if not so attended, by one of 
the parents. 
Provided that the birth certificate of an illegitimate child shall be filed by 
the attending physician, midwife, parent, or other, directly with the state 
registrar. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 9] 
144.161 Delayed or Altered Certificates. If neither parent of the new- 
born child whose birth is unattended as above provided is able to prepare a 
birth certificate, the local registrar shall secure the necessary information 
from any person having knowledge of the birth and prepare, record, and file 
the certificate. In such cases the board shall prescribe the time within which 
a supplementary report furnishing information omitted from the original 
certificate may be returned for the purpose of completing the certificate. Cer- 
tificates of birth completed by such a supplementary report shall not be con- 
sidered “delayed” or “altered.” 
[1945 c. 512 s. 10] 
144.162 Contents of Certificates. Subdivision 1. Whoever first assumes 
the custody of a child of unknown parentage shall immediately report to the 
local registrar who shall immediately make and file a certificate stating: (a) 
the date and place of finding or assumption of custody; (b) sex; color or race; 
and approximate age of child; (c) name and address of the person or institu- 
tion with whom the child has been placed for care, and (d) name given to the 
child by the finder or custodian. 
Subd. 2. The place where the child was found or custody assumed shall 
be known as the place of birth and the date of birth shall be determined by 
approximation. 
Subd. 3. The report shall constitute the certificate of birth. 
Subd. 4. If the child Is identified and a regular certificate of birth is 
3 found or obtained, the report shall be sealed and filed and may be opened 
only by court order. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 11] 
144.163 Certificate of Death or Stillbirth, A certificate of every death 
or stillbirth shall be filed before interment or in any case within five days 
after the occurrence is known with the local registrar of the district in which 
the death or stillbirth occurred or with a sub-registrar; or if the place of death 
or stillbirth is not known then with the local registrar of the district in which 
the body is found, or a sub-registrar, within 24 hours thereafter. In every in- 
stance a certificate shall be filed prior to interment or other disposition of 
the body. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 12] 
144,164 Death Certificates. Subdivision 1. Time of filing. The funeral 
director or other person taking charge for preparation of a dead human body 
for interment or other disposal shall file with the local registrar of the district 
in which the death or stillbirth occurred or the body was found, or with a 
sub-registrar, a certificate of death or stillbirth before interment or in any 
case within five days after the occurrence. 
Subd. 2. Statement as to autopsy; statement of physician. In preparing 
a certificate of death or stillbirth the person in charge of such preparation 
shall obtain and enter on the certificate the personal data required by the 
board and a statement as to whether or not an autopsy was performed on 
such body from the persons best qualified to supply them and which persons 
shall sign the certificate as the informants. He shall present the certificate 
of death to the physician last in attendance upon the deceased or to the coro- 
ner having jurisdiction who shall thereupon certify the cause of death accord- 
ing to his best knowledge and belief. He shall present the certificate of still- 
birth to the physician, midwife, or other person in attendance at the stillbirth, 
who shall certify the stillbirth and such medical data pertaining thereto as 
he can furnish. 
Subd. 3. Procedure prior to burial. Thereupon the funeral director or 
person in charge for such preparation shall notify the appropriate local regis- 
trar if death occurred without medical attendance, or in case he is unable to 
secure such certification by the physician last in attendance. In such event 
the local registrar shall inform the local health officer and refer the case to 
him for immediate investigation and certification of the cause of death prior 
to issuing a permit for burial, cremation, transportation or other disposition 
of the body. When there is no medical health officer for such registration dis- 
trict, the local registrar may complete the certificate on the basis of infor- 
mation received from relatives of the deceased or others having knowledge 
of the. facts. If the circumstances suggest that the death or stillbirth was 
caused by other than natural causes, the local registrar shall refer the case 
to the coroner for investigation and certification. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 13] 
4 144.165 Delayed Certification. If the cause of death cannot be deter- 
mined before interment or other disposition of the body, or in any case within 
five days, the certification of its cause may be filed after the prescribed 
period, but the attending physician or coroner shall give the local registrar 
of the district in which the death occurred, or the sub-registrar, written notice 
of the reason for the delay in order that a permit for the disposition of the 
body may be issued. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 14] 
144.166 Form and Use of Certificate. The form of certificates shall in- 
clude as a minimum the items required by the respective standard certificates 
as recommended by the United States Bureau of the Census subject to ap- 
proval of and modification by the board. The form and use of such certificate 
shall be subject to the provisions of section 144.175. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 15] 
144.167 Prima Facie Evidence. Certificates filed within six months after 
the time prescribed therefor shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein 
stated. Data therein pertaining to the father of a child are prima facie evi- 
dence only if the alleged father is the husband of the mother; if not, the data 
pertaining to the father of a child are not evidence in any proceeding adverse 
to the interests of the alleged father, or of his heirs, next of kin, devisees, 
legatees or other successors in interest, if the paternity is controverted. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 16] 
144.168 Certificates Furnished to Public. Subdivision 1. Subject to the 
requirements of sections 144.172, 144.174, and 144.175, the state registrar, any 
clerk of district court, or any local registrar shall, upon request, furnish to 
any applicant a certified copy of any certificate, or any part thereof. 
Subd. 2. Copies of the contents of any certificate on file in the division of 
vital statistics or In the office of any clerk of district court or on file with any 
local registrar, or any part of any such certificate, certified by the state regis- 
trar, a clerk of the district court, or a local registrar, as the case may be, 
shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original, subject to the 
requirements of sections 144.172, 144.174 and 144.175. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 17] 
144.169 Fees; Deposited with State Treasurer. Subdivision 1. The ap- 
plicant shall pay a fee of $1.00 for each certified copy of a birth or death record. 
Provided that a fee shall not be charged for any certified copy needed in con- 
nection with service in the armed forces or the Merchant Marine of the United 
States or in the presentation of claims to the United States Veterans Adminis- 
tration or the official veterans administration of any state or territory of the 
United States. 
Subd. 2. When the salary of the officer issuing a certified copy under sec- 
tions 144.151 to 144.204 consists in whole or in part of fees authorized by law, 
5 such officer shall be paid the legal fee therefor by the governmental subdivi- 
sion of which he is an officer, and the governing body thereof is authorized 
and directed to order such payment made from the general revenue funds 
thereof. 
Subd. 3. The state registrar shall keep an account of all fees received and 
turn the same over to the state treasurer according to law. 
[1945 c. 512 ss. 18, 19] 
144.171 Delayed Certificate; Proof. A birth certificate of a person bora 
in this state or a death certificate of a person who died in this state may be 
filed or amended after the time herein prescribed upon submitting such proof 
as shall be required by the board. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 20] 
144.172 Delayed or Altered Certificates. Subdivision 1. Certificates ac- 
cepted subsequent to six months after the time prescribed for filing and cer- 
tificates which have been altered after being filed with the state registrar 
shall contain the date of the delayed filing and the date of the alteration and 
be marked “delayed” or “altered.” 
Subd. 2. All alterations made on birth and death records shall be in red 
ink. 
Subd. 3. A summary statement of the evidence submitted in support of 
the acceptance for delayed filing or alteration shall be endorsed on the cer- 
tificate. 
Subd. 4. Such evidence shall be preserved in such manner as the board 
may prescribe. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 21] 
144.173 Before District Court. Subdivision 1. Petition; hearing; evi- 
dence. Any person born or residing in this state may also petition the district 
court of the county in which he resides or was born for an order establishing 
a public record of the time and place of his birth and his parentage. The peti- 
tion shall be verified by him and shall allege the facts which he claims en- 
titled him to such an order. The court shall fix the time and place of hearing 
the petition. At least ten days before the hearing, notice thereof shall be 
mailed to the county attorney of the county and to the state division of vital 
statistics and shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation 
In the county. Proof of the mailing and publication shall be filed at the hear- 
ing. The oral testimony shall be transcribed and together with the other 
proofs shall be filed in the proceeding. 
Subd. 2. Court order. If the court is satisfied from the evidence received 
at the hearing of the truth of the allegations of the petition and of the facts 
as to the time and place of the petitioner’s birth and of his parentage, and 
that he resides in the county or was born there, the court shall make and 
6 enter an order reciting the jurisdictional facts and determining the time and 
place of the petitioner’s birth and the names of his parents, and any other 
facts deemed relevant by the court. 
Subd. 3. Certified copy. A certified copy of the order of the court may 
be filed in the office of the register of deeds of the county and shall be filed in 
the office of the state division of vital statistics. 
Subd. 4. Admissible as proof. The order, the record thereof, and certified 
copies of the order or of the records shall be evidence of the truth of their 
contents and be admissible as proof thereof at all times and places the same 
as certificates of birth mentioned in section 144.167. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 22] 
144.174 Probative Value. The probative value of a “delayed” or “altered” 
certificate shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official 
before whom the certificate is offered as evidence. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 23] 
144.175 Access to Records. Subdivision 1. Open to inspection. The 
birth and death records and files of the division of vital statistics, the local 
registrars and clerks of the district court are open to inspection, subject to 
the provisions of sections 144.151 to 144.204 and regulations of the board; but 
it is unlawful for any officer or employee of the state or any local registrar or 
clerk of district court to disclose data contained in vital statistical records ex- 
cept as authorized by such sections or by the board. 
Subd. 2. Procedure in case of illegitimacy. Disclosure of illegitimacy of 
birth or of information from which it can be ascertained may be made only 
upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction in a case where such informa- 
tion is necessary for the determination of personal or property rights and 
then only for such purpose. The birth and death records of the state board 
of health shall be opened to inspection by the director of social welfare, and 
it shall not be necessary for said director to obtain an order of the court in 
order to inspect records of illegitimate children or to secure certified copies 
thereof. 
Subd. 3. [Repealed by 1947 c. 517] 
Subd. 4. Purposes of research. The board may permit the use of data 
contained in vital statistical records for research purposes only, but no iden- 
tifying use thereof shall be made. 
Subd. 5. Direction to local registrars. Subject to the provisions of this 
section the board may direct local registrars to make a return upon the filing 
of birth, death, and stillbirth certificates with them of certain data shown 
thereon to federal, state, or municipal agencies. Payment by such agencies 
7 for such services may be made through the state registrar to local registrars 
as the board shall direct. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 24] 
144.176 Adoption. In cases of adoption the state registrar upon receipt 
of a certified copy of an order or decree of adoption shall prepare a supplemen- 
tary certificate in the new name of the adopted person, and seal and file the 
original certificate of birth with said certified copy attached thereto. Such 
sealed documents may be opened only upon order of the court or, if otherwise 
found necessary, by the state registrar. Upon the receipt of a certified copy 
of a court order of annulment of adoption the state registrar shall restore the 
original certificate to its original place in the file. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 25] 
144.177 Legitimation; Proof. In cases of legitimation the state registrar 
upon receipt of proof thereof shall prepare a new certificate of birth in the 
new name of the legitimated child. The evidence upon which the new certifi- 
cate is made and the original certificate shall be sealed and filed and may be 
opened only upon order of court or if the state registrar finds it necessary. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 26] 
144.178 Institutions. Persons in charge of institutions for care or correc- 
tion or for treatment of disease, injury, or childbirth shall record and report 
all statistical data required by sections 144.151 to 144.204 relating to their in- 
mates or patients under regulations of the board. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 27] 
144.181 Burial Permit; Removal of Body from District. When a death 
or stillbirth occurs or a dead body is found, the body shall not be disposed of 
or permanently removed from the registration district until a permit has been 
issued by the local registrar of the place of death or a sub-registrar or, if neces- 
sary to avoid delay, by the state registrar. 
The sexton or other person acting as such shall not permit the interment 
or cremation of a dead human body until a burial permit issued under the pro- 
visions of sections 144.151 to 144.204 has been filed with him. He shall keep 
a record of all interments and cremations stating the name of deceased, place 
of death, date of burial or cremation, and name and address of the attending 
funeral director. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 28] 
144.182 Death Outside the State; Permit. When death or stillbirth oc- 
curs outside this state and the body is accompanied by a permit for burial, 
removal, or other disposition issued in accordance with the law and regula- 
8 tions in force where the death or stillbirth occurred, the permit shall author- 
ize the transportation of the body into or through this state but before the 
burial, cremation or other disposal of the body within this state such permit 
shall be presented to the local registrar of the district where disposal is to 
be made who shall keep a record thereof and thereupon issue his permit for 
such disposal. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 29] 
144.183 Regulations Mandatory. No permit under section 144.181 shall 
be issued until a certificate of death or stillbirth as far as it can be completed 
under the circumstances of the case has been filed and until all the regula- 
tions of the board in respect to the issuance of such permit have been com- 
plied with. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 30] 
144.191 Duties of Registrar. Subdivision 1. Endorsement on certifi- 
cate; record; transmit to clerk. The local registrar shall endorse on each 
certificate of birth or death filed with him the number of his district, the num- 
ber of the certificate in consecutive numbers beginning with number one for 
the first birth or the first death of each calendar year, the date when filed with 
him, his post office address, and subscribe the same. He shall record such 
certificates in a suitable record book and, except in cities of the first class 
shall, forthwith transmit to the clerk of district court of the county in which 
such birth or death occurred all original certificates of births and deaths re- 
ceived by him. 
Subd. 2. Fees. Each local registrar shall be paid the sum of 50 cents for 
each birth, death or stillbirth certificate transmitted by him to the clerk of dis- 
trict court. In case no birth, death or stillbirth occurred during any calendar 
month the local registrar shall on the 5th day of the following month report 
to the clerk of district court and be paid the sum of 50 cents for the report. 
Reports of no birth, death or stillbirth received by the clerk of district court 
shall be dated and signed upon receipt, credited by him to the proper local 
registrar, and transmitted by him to the state registrar. 
Subd. 3. Auditor to pay clerk. Upon certification by the clerk of district 
court on or before March 1 of each calendar year, the fees of local registrars 
for the registration and transmittal of birth and death certificates and reports 
of no birth, death or stillbirth shall be paid by the county auditor out of the 
general revenue fund of the county. 
Subd. 4. In cities having 100,000 inhabitants. Local registrars of cities 
of 100,000 or more population shall transmit to the state registrar on or before 
the 10th of each month all original birth, death, and stillbirth certificates 
received for the preceding month. 
Subd. 5. Removal of local registrar; new appointment. Any local regis- 
trar who neglects or fails to discharge his duties as provided by sections 
9 144.151 to 144.204 may, after notice and opportunity to be heard, be removed 
from office by the state registrar, and thereupon the state registrar may 
appoint another for the unexpired part of his term. If any local registrar or 
clerk of district court fails to file or transmit birth, death, or stillbirth 
certificates according to such sections, the state registrar shall obtain them 
by other means at the expense of the town, village, city or county concerned, 
and the necessary expense so incurred shall be paid to the state registrar and 
by him deposited with the state treasurer who shall credit it to the account 
of the board from which such expenses were paid. 
144.201 Clerk of Court. Subdivision 1. Notify parents; correct cer- 
tificate. The clerk of district court, upon receipt of birth certificates from 
any local registrar, shall date and sign such certificate, shall immediately 
notify either parent of the child of the exact spelling of names certified to, 
age, residence and place of birth of parents, and date of birth of child, and 
compare the correctness of the certificate with the facts as stated. If found 
incorrect or incomplete, he shall correct such certificate in a manner accepta- 
ble to the state registrar. 
Subd. 2. County birth record. Upon being satisfied that the certificate 
is correct, the clerk of district court shall prepare an exact duplicate of the 
original certificate and record in a suitable book, in form approved by the state 
registrar and furnished at the expense of the county, which shall be desig- 
nated the county birth record, the following facts as they appear on each cer- 
tificate: 
1. Name of child; 
2. Place of birth; 
3. Date of birth; 
4. Sex; 
5. Color of child; 
6. Name of father; 
7. Color of father: 
8. Age of father; 
9. Maiden name of mother; 
10. Age of mother; 
11. Color of mother; 
12. Birthplace of father; 
13. Birthplace of mother; 
14. Number of children of mother; 
15. Single, twin or other of plural birth; 
16. Date of filing; 
which shall constitute a legal birth record, and a certified copy of facts con- 
tained in such record shall be evidence in any court to the extent of the origi- 
nal certificate. The clerk of district court shall index such record in a suitable 
manner at the expense of the county. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 32] 
144.202 Duties of Clerk. The clerk of district court, upon receipt of 
death certificates from any local registrar, shall date and sign such certificate, 
10 shall ascertain from available documents or from persons who know the cor- 
rect spelling of name, date of birth, age, residence, and date of death, the cor- 
rectness of such facts on the certificate. If found incomplete or in error, he 
shall correct the certificate in a manner acceptable to the state registrar. When 
the clerk of district court is satisfied with the spelling of name, date of birth, 
age, date of death, place of death, and place of residence are correct, he shall 
prepare an exact duplicate of the original certificate and record in a suitable 
book, in form approved by the state registrar, the following facts as they ap- 
pear on the certificate: 
1. Name of deceased, and name of spouse, if any; 
2. Sex; 
3. Color of deceased; 
4. Conjugal condition; 
5. Date of birth; 
6. Date of death; 
7. Birthplace of deceased; 
8. Name of father; 
9. Maiden name of mother; 
10. Residence of deceased, town, village or city, and county; 
11. Date of filing. 
The clerk of district court shall index such record in a suitable manner at the 
expense of the county. Such record shall constitute a legal death record, and 
a certified copy of the facts contained in such record shall be evidence in any 
court to the extent of the original certificate. 
The clerk of district court shall file and index all duplicate certificates 
prepared by him of births and deaths. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 33] 
144.203 Transmission. Subdivision 1. Transmit to state registrar. On 
the eleventh day of each month the clerk of district court shall transmit to the 
state registrar all reports of no births or deaths and all original birth and 
death certificates received by him on or before the tenth day of that month for 
births and deaths which occurred during the previous month, and certify the 
number of birth and death certificates and “no report” cards received from 
each local registrar. The clerk of district court shall, upon receipt, prepare 
a certified transcript of birth and death certificates received by him for births 
and deaths occurring in his county on which the place of residence of the 
mother of a child or that of the decedent is shown to be in another county of 
the state and, upon being satisfied that they are correct, shall immediately 
transmit such certified transcript to the clerk of district court of the county 
shown on the original birth and death certificates to be the place of residence 
of the mother or the decedent except where a city of the first class shall be 
such residence. But in any event, he shall transmit such certified transcripts 
to the clerk of the district court of the county of residence not later than the 
eleventh day of the following month. All such certified transcripts received by 
a clerk of the district court shall be filed and indexed. The facts appearing 
thereon shall be recorded in the county birth and death record as provided for 
original certificates by Section 144.201, Subdivision 2, and Section 144.202, 
11 which shall constitute a legal birth and death record, and a certified copy of 
the facts contained in such record shall be evidence in any court to the extent 
of the original certificate. All duplicates filed under Sections 144.201 and 
144.202 and certified transcripts filed under this section shall be considered for 
all purposes the same as the original and copies of same certified to by the 
clerk of district court shall be evidence in any court to the extent of the 
original certificates. 
Subd. 2. Cities of the first class; fees. Registrars of cities of the first 
class shall transmit to the clerks of district court of the counties in Minnesota 
stated to be the residence of the mother of a child or of a decedent, a trans- 
cript of such certificate. Such county, stated to be the residence, shall pay to 
the local registrar of a city of the first class a fee of 50 cents for each such 
transcript, payment to be made monthly by the county auditor of the proper 
county upon certification to him by the clerk of district court the number of 
such transcripts received. 
Subd. 3. Clerk’s fees. The county auditor, upon certification to him by 
the clerk of district court of the number of birth and death certificates and 
transcripts received during the preceding month, shall issue his warrant in 
the sum of $1.00 to said clerk of district court for each certificate and tran- 
script received, checked, recorded, and indexed, except those certificates on 
which the residence of the mother of a child or that of the decedent is shown 
to be in another county of the state, which sum shall be full compensation for 
all services rendered as provided herein. 
[1945 c. 512 s. 34] 
144.204 Citation. Sections 144.151 to 144.204 may be cited as the “Uni- 
form Vital Statistics Act.” 
144.49 Violations; Penalties. Subdivision 2. Any person who wilfully 
makes or alters any certificate or certified copy thereof provided for in sec- 
tions 144.151 to 144.204, except in accordance with the provisions of such sec- 
tions, shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000, or be imprisoned 
not exceeding six months or both fined and imprisoned. 
Subd. 3. Any person who knowingly transports or accepts for transpor- 
tation, interment, or other disposition a dead body without an accompanying 
permit issued in accordance with the provisions of sections 144.151 to 144.204, 
shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $500. 
Subd. 4. Except where a different penalty is provided in this section, any 
person who violates any of the provisions of sections 144.151 to 144.204, or 
regulations of the board, or neglects or refuses to perform any of the duties 
imposed upon him by such sections or regulations of the board shall be guilty 
of a misdemeanor. 
257.29 Clerk to Report Name of Adjudged Father. Upon the entry of a 
judgment determining the paternity of an illegitimate child the clerk of the 
12 district court shall notify in writing the state registrar of vital statistics of 
the name of the person against whom such judgment has been entered, to- 
gether with such other facts disclosed by his records as may assist in identi- 
fying the record of the birth of the child as the same may appear in the office 
of said registrar. If such judgment shall thereafter be vacated that fact shall 
be reported by the clerk in like manner. 
306.03 Actuary Required to Make Reports. Every such corporation, in 
addition to its ordinary corporate officers, shall annually appoint an actuary, 
or provide by its by-laws that its secretary shall perform the duties of such 
office. The actuary shall keep a register of burials, in which he shall enter 
the date of burial or cremation, the name, age, sex, nativity, and cause of 
death of every person interred or cremated in such cemetery, so far as such 
facts can be ascertained from the friends, attending physician, or undertaker 
in charge, and, in case of a pauper, stranger, or criminal, from the public official 
directing the burial. Such record shall be open to public inspection, and the 
actuary shall furnish to the state board of health and to local health officers, 
when so requested, an accurate summary of such record during any specified 
year. He shall report to the adjutant general the burial of any veteran of the 
Civil War, Spanish-American War, China Relief Expedition, Philippine Insur- 
rection, Mexican Border Service, and the World War, stating the name of such 
deceased veteran and the location of his grave in the cemetery by lot number. 
The following pages contain certain Regulations of the Minnesota State 
Board of Health which have the force of law. 
13 REGULATIONS 
OF THE 
Minnesota State Board of Health 
The following regulations have been duly adopted by the Minnesota State 
Board of Health, approved by the Attorney General and a copy filed with the 
Secretary of State. 
Penalty for violation of these regulations is prescribed in Minnesota Stat- 
utes 1945, Section 144.49 (See Page 10). 
A. J. CHESLEY, M. D. 
Secretary and Executive Officer 
REGULATIONS RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS 
3000. Subdivision 1. Unless the language or context clearly indicates 
that a different meaning is intended, the following words, terms, and phrases, 
for the purpose of the Regulations relating to vital statistics, shall be given 
meanings ascribed to them. 
Subd. 2. “Delayed registration” means a certificate of birth which is 
filed six or more months after the date established by law for such filing. 
Subd. 3. “Date filed” means the date on which a certificate of birth or 
death is received by and subscribed by a local registrar of vital statistics. 
3001. State Registrar to Maintain Agreement of Records. It shall be 
the duty of the State Registrar to insure the agreement of the County Rec- 
ord and the exact duplicate in the custody of the clerk of district court of 
the county in which a birth or death occurred with the original of such 
birth and death certificates. 
3002. Only State Registrar to Amend Originals. Except as he shall 
otherwise authorize, only the State Registrar shall have the power to make 
alterations on original birth and death certificates. Corrections of original 
certificates by clerks of district court and others shall be made by attach- 
ing thereto the documentary evidence on which the correction is to be made. 
3003. Verification Queries Need Be Sent But Once. Clerks of district 
court shall be required to send only one verification query to parents or 
informants. Thereafter, when in his judgment it appears to be necessary, 
the State Registrar shall try to ascertain the correct facts. 
14 3004. Clerk’s Duty in Regard to Birth and Death Records Before the 
Original Has Been Filed with the State Registrar. The clerk of the district 
court of the county in which a birth or death occurred, upon receipt from 
the parents of a written statement correcting facts recorded in any birth 
certificate, the original of which he has not filed with the State Registrar, 
or upon receipt from an authentic and qualified source of a sworn state- 
ment of correction of facts recorded in any death certificate, the original 
of which has not been filed with the State Registrar, shall, if satisfied that 
the facts given in such statement are true, correct in red ink the exact 
duplicate of the original birth or death certificate concerned, and shall note 
on the record that he has made the correction. He shall forward the origi- 
nal statement of correction received from parents and informants, when 
corrections are shown thereon, to the State Registrar together with the 
original birth or death certificate concerned, on the 10th of the month fol- 
lowing that in which the birth or death occurred; whereupon the State Reg- 
istrar shall amend the original certificate accordingly if, in his best judg- 
ment, the facts in such statement appear to be true. If they do not appear 
to be true, he shall immediately notify the clerk of the district court who 
shall reinstate the exact duplicate so that it will agree with the original cer- 
tificate. 
Whenever, in the judgment of the clerk of the district court, any state- 
ment of correction as herein provided appears to he questionable, he may 
file a copy of the statement in connection with his recordings and forward 
the original to the State Registrar explaining his objection, whereupon the 
State Registrar shall decide whether or not correction should be made and 
notify the clerk of his decision. In all cases involving correction from legiti- 
macy to illegitimacy, or illegitimacy to legitimacy, the clerk shall forward 
such documents to the State Registrar for decision and disposition. 
3005. Corrections to Be Initiated by Clerk of Court at County of Oc- 
currence. Unless otherwise specifically directed by the State Registrar, cor- 
rection of birth and death records shall be initiated only by the clerk of 
the district court of the county in which the birth or death occurred, or by 
the State Registrar. 
3006. Verification of Facts Delayed Beyond the 10th. If by the 10th of 
the month following that in which a birth or death occurred, the clerk of 
court has not received a reply to his communication sent for the purpose 
of verifying the accuracy of facts entered on birth and death certificates, 
he shall make and file the exact duplicate of such original certificates and 
include such original certificates in the shipment of birth and death certifi- 
cates which the Laws of 1945, Chapter 512, Section 34, require him to trans- 
mit to the State Registrar on the 10th of the month. Upon receipt there- 
after of any such reply indicating correction the clerk shall correct his re- 
cordings as prescribed and immediately transmit such reply to the State 
Registrar. 
3007. Completion of Birth Record of Child Unattended at Birth. Sup- 
plemental information to complete the birth record of a child whose birth 
15 was unattended, and whose parents are not able to prepare a birth certifi- 
cate, shall not be considered delayed or altered if filed within six months 
of the date of birth. 
3008. Correction of Certificates After the Original Has Been Filed with 
the State Registrar. The clerk of the district court or the State Registrar 
may alter any record of birth or death after the original has been filed with 
the State Registrar, upon receipt in duplicate of one or more affidavits con- 
stituting substantial evidence of the facts. (Such certificate, if corrected six 
months after the time prescribed for filing, must be marked “altered” and 
the evidence endorsed thereon as prescribed in Laws of 1945, Chapter 512, 
Section 21.) When required by the State Registrar, additional documentary 
proof of the allegations set forth in such affidavits shall he demanded. Both 
the original and the duplicate copy of such affidavits must bear the per- 
sonal signatures of all signees. Thereupon said clerk shall carefully com- 
pare the original and duplicate and, if they agree, place in his files one of 
such affidavits together with a description of the proof, if any, and send 
the original affidavit and proof, or a certification of such proof, to the State 
Registrar. If the birth or death concerned occurred before 1900, a duplicate 
copy of such affidavit is not required, and the affidavit received and state- 
ment of proof shall be filed only by the clerk in connection with the birth 
or death record in his possession. 
Provided that up to one year after having been filed, minor errors 
made in any birth certificate may be corrected by the attending physician, 
parent, funeral director, or other who made and filed the certificate in the 
first place, such minor errors to be designated by the State Registrar in a 
manual of instructions. 
If the clerk of court has any doubt concerning the statements set forth 
in any such statement of correction or affidavit, he shall forward such state- 
ments and both the original and duplicate of such affidavits to the State 
Registrar, and the State Registrar shall determine whether or not the cor- 
rection shall be made and notify the clerk of his decision. 
Provided that all corrections by said clerks of photo copies of birth 
and death records in their custody shall be made in such manner as may 
have been directed by the State Registrar. Provided further that when any 
such clerk shall have corrected a birth or death record and the State Reg- 
istrar does not approve the making of such correction, said clerk, at the 
direction of the State Registrar, shall, in such manner as best possible and 
practicable, restore the record to its original condition. Provided further 
that upon receipt of a statement involving a correction of the cause of 
death or of legitimacy or illegitimacy on any certificate, before altering the 
county recordings the clerk shall refer such statement to the State Registrar 
for a decision. 
The State Registrar may correct such records in his custody under the 
same conditions as the clerk of court and he shall thereupon file one copy 
16 of the affidavits and description of proof with the clerk of court in the 
county in which the birth or death occurred. 
3009. Certified Copies of Corrected Recordings. When certified copies 
made of altered or corrected records show such alterations or corrections 
in red ink, a summary statement of the evidence shall be included, and the 
following shall be printed or typed upon said certified copy: “Corrections 
herein shown were made by the clerk of the district court (or the State Reg- 
istrar, as the case may be) under the authority of Laws of 1945, Chapter 
512, Section 21, Subdivisions 2 and 3, and the Regulations of the State Board 
of Health.” 
When a certified copy made of an altered or corrected record shows 
only the facts as corrected and not those alleged to be wrong, the certifi- 
cation shall include a statement that such copy is of such record as corrected 
under provisions of Laws of 1945, Chapter 512, Section 21, Subdivisions 2 
and 3, and the Regulations of the State Board of Health. 
3010. Local Registrar to Add Given Name. Local registrars may cor- 
rect birth or death records in their custody only upon authorization by the 
State Registrar. Provided, however, that they may add the given name to 
their copy of any birth certificate which has been on file one year or less 
upon receipt of a supplemental report. Certified copies of records corrected 
by the local registrar shall show the corrections in the same manner as is 
provided for herein for the State Registrar and clerks of district court. 
3011. Delayed Registrations. The proof required by the Board for the 
filing of a delayed certificate of birth or death and the manner of filing shall 
be as follows: 
Delayed registrations of birth are hereby divided into two classes, one 
of which is to contain those registrations between the age of six months 
and four years, the second class to contain those registrations filed subse- 
quent to the fourth birthday of the person therein described. 
Delayed registrations of birth of persons less than four years old shall 
be made and subscribed by the attending physician, if any, or otherwise by 
any person or persons having personal knowledge of the facts of birth as 
given by them in such certificate. Such delayed registration shall be filed 
with the local registrar of the district in which the birth occurred and shall 
be recorded by him and, except in cities of 100,000 or more population, 
transmitted to the clerk of district court who shall copy such certificate 
and transmit the original to the State Registrar. 
Delayed registrations of birth filed subsequent to the fourth birthday 
of the person described therein shall be filed with the State Registrar by 
the clerk of the district court of the county in which such birth occurred, 
and if such birth occurred in a city of 100,000 or more population, with the 
local registrar of such city. Whenever, for such delayed registration, the 
birth certificate is not made and subscribed by the physician who attended 
17 the birth, the birth certificate shall be made and subscribed by the nearest 
kin, if any, or otherwise by any person or persons having personal knowl- 
edge of the facts of birth as given by them in such certificate, and such cer- 
tificate shall be accompanied by supporting affidavits executed by the per- 
son or persons making and subscribing the certificate, and by two pieces of 
documentary evidence of the Type A containing proof of the place of birth, 
date of birth or age, and parentage, or one of the Type A and one of Type 
B; or in lieu of either of the foregoing combinations, a total of three pieces 
of Type B evidence. Such evidence is defined as follows: 
Type A—established before the fourth birthday of the applicant. 
'T'vne B—established after the fourth birthday, but at least five 
years before the delayed registration is filed, unless the 
child is but four years of age when the evidence may be 
of later date. 
Birth records filed as delayed registrations subsequent to the fourth 
birthday of the person described shall be made in duplicate. When present- 
ed in the first instance to the clerk of the district court or to the registrar 
of a city of 100,000 or more population, such clerk or registrar shall care- 
fully compare both original and duplicate and, if they agree, shall make an 
abstract in duplicate of the evidence in the manner and upon the form pre- 
scribed by the State Registrar and shall place the duplicate copy of such 
birth record and such abstract in his files and send the original of such 
documents to the State Registrar. The State Registrar shall place such 
birth record and abstract of the evidence on file. Only clerks of district 
court, local registrars of cities of the first class, the State Registrar and 
District Courts shall be deemed competent to evaluate proof submitted for 
such delayed registration. 
Any death certificate filed between six months and four years after 
death shall be marked delayed and shall be made and filed in the same 
manner as death certificates filed on time. 
A delayed registration of death not filed until four years or more after 
death shall be made in duplicate and filed in the same manner, and with the 
same registration officials, as a delayed registration of birth filed subse- 
quent to the fourth birthday. Such delayed registration of death shall, when 
possible, be subscribed by the funeral director and attending physician; 
otherwise by the nearest kin, if any; or otherwise by a person or persons 
who of their own knowledge know the facts as given by them in such cer- 
tificate; and it shall be accompanied by supporting affidavits made by the 
person or persons making and subscribing the certificate and by such other 
documentary proof as may be required by the State Registrar under the 
specific circumstances. 
Clerks of district court and the registrar of vital statistics in cities of 
100,000 or more population shall comply with the directions of the State 
Registrar as to the forms to be used for recording delayed registrations of 
18 birth and death, the facts to be contained therein and the proof submitted 
in corroboration of the facts recorded. 
Delayed registrations of births or deaths occurring prior to 1900 shall 
be filed with the clerk of district court in the county In which the birth or 
death occurred, or if in a city of 100,000 or more population, with the local 
registrar of vital statistics of such city. It shall not be necessary for the 
birth or death record of such delayed registration to be made in duplicate 
or that a copy of it be sent to the State Registrar. 
3012. Manner Prescribed by Board for Preservation of Delayed Regis- 
tration Evidence. The Board prescribes that documentary proof relating to 
delayed registrations of birth or death or used in the alteration of certifi- 
cates of birth or death shall be preserved in any one of the following forms: 
Abstracts, certified copies, or photographic copies, made by or abstracted 
by the officers empowered to issue delayed certificates of birth or death or 
to make material alterations on certificates of birth or death. Where satis- 
factory to the parties concerned, the original proof may be preserved in lieu 
of a certified copy or abstract thereof. 
3013. Birth Certificates. Physician’s Duty—Local Registrar’s Duty. The 
physician, midwife, or other legally authorized person in attendance at the 
birth, or if not so attended, one of the parents, shall within five days there- 
after subscribe and file in such form as prescribed by the State Board of 
Health on one of the blanks supplied by said Board for that purpose, a cer- 
tificate of birth with the local registrar of the district within which the 
birth occurred, except in the case of an illegitimate child when such cer- 
tificate shall be filed direct and only with the State Registrar. The local 
registrar shall file and date all birth, and death certificates immediately 
upon their receipt and within three days thereafter shall record them in the 
manner prescribed by the State Registrar, and forthwith transmit such cer- 
tificates to the clerk of the district court of the county in which such birth 
or death occurred. 
3014. All references to time of birth or death given upon a birth or 
death certificate shall be based on Central Standard Time, and the words, 
“Central Standard Time,” shall be added to the hour of the birth or the 
death as such hour is given upon such certificate. 
3015. Illegitimate Births, Reporting of. The name of the putative 
father, or other identifying details relating to him, shall not be entered with- 
out his consent on the birth certificate or death certificate of a child born 
out of wedlock, except as hereinafter provided: 
Whenever the father of an illegitimate child has acknowledged such a 
child’s paternity by affidavit, the said father’s name and sufficient informa- 
tion to identify him shall be entered on the said child’s record providing 
19 the said father has given his written consent to have the addition made 
thereto. 
3016. Sub-registrar’s Duties. Every sub-registrar shall note upon each 
death certificate filed with him, the date of filing, sign the same, and for- 
ward it to the local registrar of the proper district within three days after 
receipt. 
3017. Embalmer and Funeral Director Reports. Every person, firm or 
corporation selling a casket shall keep a record showing the name of the 
purchaser, purchaser’s post office address, name of deceased, date of death, 
and place of death of deceased, which record shall be open to inspection of 
the State Registrar at all times. On the first day of each month the person, 
firm or corporation selling caskets, and every funeral director or embalmer 
attending the burial or conducting the funeral of a person, shall report to 
the State Registrar such facts as he shall require for the preceding month 
on a blank provided for that purpose, but no person, firm or corporation 
selling caskets only to dealers, funeral directors or embalmers shall be 
required to keep such record. 
Every person, firm or corporation selling a casket at retail, and not 
having charge of the disposition of the body, shall enclose within the cas- 
ket a notice furnished by the State Registrar calling attention to the re- 
quirements of the law, a blank certificate of death, and the statutes and 
regulations of the State Board of Health concerning the burial or other dis- 
position of a dead body. 
3018. Hospital Reports. All superintendents, managers or persons in 
charge of lying-in or other hospitals, almshouses, charitable or other institu- 
tions, public or private, to which persons resort for confinement, treatment 
of disease, care, or are committed by process of law, shall on or before the 
10th of each month file with the State Board of Health, on a blank pro- 
vided by such Board for the purpose, a report of all births and deaths or 
stillbirths occurring in such institution during the previous month. 
3019. Notice of Removal. In any case where it is impossible to secure 
a proper certificate of death or burial-removal or transportation permit with- 
out great delay, the attending embalmer, or in cases not dead of a com- 
municable disease or cases not requiring a transportation permit, the fu- 
neral director, is authorized to remove the body to another registration dis- 
trict providing such certificate is filed and the required permits obtained 
before the body is buried, cremated, further transported or otherwise dis- 
posed of. Under such circumstances the embalmer or funeral director shall, 
before removing the body, mail or place in the nearest post office, or hand 
to the local registrar in person, a notice of removal provided for the purpose 
by the State Registrar, stating therein why he could not obtain the above 
papers, the date and time on which he removed the body, and the point 
to which the body was removed. Any funeral director or embalmer who 
fails to comply in full with the requirements herein stated with regard to 
certificates and permits shall in all cases thereafter be required to obtain 
20 the death certificate and other necessary permits before burial or transpor- 
tation or permanent removal of the body from the district where death 
occurred. 
3020. Cemetery Official to Be Appointed. Individuals, associations or 
corporations owning or operating cemeteries shall arrange for and appoint 
some person who shall be responsible both for receiving, filing and pre- 
serving permits for burial-removal and transportation as required, for bodies 
to be interred or cremated in such cemetery, and for the enforcement of 
the statutes requiring permits for such interments or cremations. Provided 
that in cases where there is no association, person or corporation respon- 
sible for the maintenance of a cemetery, the funeral director in charge of 
interment in such cemetery shall, over his signature, write upon the per- 
mit or permits issued in that case the following: “No association, person 
or corporation responsible for this cemetery,’’ together with the name of 
the cemetery and the city, village or township and county in which it is 
located, and thereupon mail such permit to the State Registrar. 
3021. Adjudication of Paternity. Upon receipt from a clerk of district 
court of a notice in writing of a judgment determining paternity of an ille- 
gitimate child, the State Registrar shall record the name of the father and 
such data to identify the judgment in connection with the record of the 
birth of the child in his office, and also in connection with the death record 
of the child if there be such record. Likewise, whenever any district court 
shall enter a judgment that any person named on a birth certificate or on a 
death certificate as the father of an illegitimate child is not in fact the 
father of such child, the clerk of district court shall forward to the State 
Registrar a copy of the court’s judgment, whereupon the State Registrar 
shall correct the statement relating to paternity on the birth certificate or 
death certificate and permanently file the copy of such judgment. 
3022. Abstract of Birth in Stepfather’s Name under Certain Conditions. 
Upon the recommendation of the Director of Social Welfare or a duly author- 
ized representative of a county welfare board, the State Registrar may 
issue an abstract of birth to an illegitimate child under the surname of said 
child’s stepfather, providing the stepfather has given his consent in affidavit 
form. His wife shall join in the affidavit. Neither the stepfather’s name nor 
the child’s mother’s name shall appear on the birth abstract, and there shall 
be no mention made of the child’s birth status but place and date of birth 
shall be shown. 
3023. Abstract of Birth in Foster Parents’ Name under Certain Condi- 
tions. Upon recommendation of the Director of Social Welfare or a duly 
authorized representative of a county welfare board, the State Registrar 
may issue an abstract of birth to an illegitimate child under the surname of 
the family with whom the child has lived and which name the child has 
used, together with the place and date of birth; but the names of the foster 
parents shall not appear on the birth abstract and there shall be no men- 
tion of the birth status. 
21 3024. Legitimation of Birth. Whenever the parents of a child whose 
birth has been reported to the State Board of Health as illegitimate shall 
marry each other and when the father of such illegitimate child shall exe- 
cute an affidavit that he is the father of said child and that at a certain 
specified time he married the mother of said child and shall mail said affi- 
davit to the State Registrar, then the State Registrar shall prepare and file 
a new certificate of birth in the new name of the legitimated child. If for 
some valid reason such as death of the husband or inaccessibility for some 
other reason it is impossible to obtain the affidavit above referred to, and 
the paternity has been established either by adjudication or by the father’s 
written acknowledgment under oath, the State Registrar shall make a new 
birth record of said child so as to indicate the child is a legitimate child, 
upon receiving satisfactory proof of the parents’ marriage and either notice 
of adjudication from the clerk of district court or the father’s written ac- 
knowledgment of paternity under oath. 
3025. Lists of Names Not to Be Sold, etc. The State Registrar, local 
registrars and clerks of district court shall not prepare for sale or gift for 
commercial purposes information identifying persons recorded in birth and 
death certificates; neither shall hospital administrators, nor funeral direc- 
tors or embalmers use the vital records for any such purpose. 
3026. False Information. No person shall furnish false information in 
the preparation of any certificate of birth or death, any certificate of de- 
layed registration of birth or death, or any evidence purporting to change 
information contained on birth or death certificates already on file, or any 
record used in conjunction with the burial or other disposition of a human 
body. 
3027. Clerk to Keep His Files in Order. The clerk of district court 
shall keep his files of birth and death records in such form that he can 
immediately locate any record in his possession required by the State Reg- 
istrar, and know whether or not the original record has been received by 
him. 
3028. Effective Date. Regulations 3000 to 3028, both inclusive, shall 
take effect January 1, 1946. 
The following Regulations adopted by the State Board of Health are 
repealed on January 1, 1946: 
Regulation 1, as adopted by the State Board of Health on July 24, 
1943. 
Regulation 2, as adopted by the State Board of Health on July 24, 
1943. 
Regulation 3, as adopted by the State Board of Health on July 24, 
1943. 
22 REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE DISPOSAL AND 
TRANSPORTATION OF THE DEAD 
23. No person, except a licensed embalmer, and then only after nrsi, 
having obtained a permit therefor from the local health officer and the local 
registrar of vital statistics, as hereinafter prescribed, shall disinter the body 
of a deceased person; provided, the authorities in charge of a cemetery may 
transfer bodies buried therein from one part of such cemetery to another 
part thereof with the approval and under supervision of the local health 
officer. 
DISINTERMENT AND REINTERMENT PERMIT® 
Any person desiring such a permit shall first secure from the actuary 
or secretary or other person in charge of the cemetery records a written 
statement showing that such body is buried in that cemetery and giving 
thereon the name of deceased, age at time of death, date of death, cause 
of death, and date of burial. He shall present this statement to the proper 
local health officer and make application for permission to disinter and re- 
move such body. 
Provided, if there is no such cemetery record then such statement by 
relatives of the deceased or other competent person or persons who are 
empowered to cause such disinterment and removal, shall be presented. 
Provided further, if the health officer has cemetery records of the cemeteries 
in his municipality and a record of such interment, no such written state- 
ment need be secured or filed with him. 
The local health officer shall question the applicant as to the manner 
in which it is proposed to disinter, handle and dispose of the remains, and 
shall give and enforce such directions for disinterment, removal and rein- 
terment as he deems necessary for the protection of the public health. Such 
local health officer shall thereafter notify the local registrar of vital statis- 
tics orally or in writing if he has approved such application. 
The applicant shall thereupon apply to the registrar of vital statistics 
having jurisdiction over the district in which the body proposed to be dis- 
interred is buried, who shall issue a written “disinterment-reinterment” per- 
mit, using for such purpose the form now provided by the State Board of 
Health for original interments and noting thereon the words “disinterment- 
reinterment permit.” Such permit shall not be issued by sub-registrars. 
The sexton or person in charge of any cemetery, burial place or other 
premises shall not inter or permit the interment or other disposition of the 
disinterred body of a deceased person until he receives a “disinterment- 
reinterment permit” in the same manner as is provided by Section 5361, 
General Statutes of Minnesota 1923, for recording permits for original in- 
terments. 
23 BURIAL OF DEAD FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 
24. Only licensed embalmers shall be permitted to take charge of the 
remains of persons who have died of any communicable disease. When such 
body is to be shipped, preparation must be in accordance with Regulation 36. 
Private Funerals 
The funeral shall be strictly private when the death has been due to 
diphtheria, influenza, meningitis (meningococcus), poliomyelitis, scarlet 
fever, epidemic sore throat, or smallpox. 
Private funeral is not required when services are held over a body ex- 
humed for removal or shipment six months or more after death from a 
communicable disease or if permitted by the health officer at place of in- 
terment in cases where that health officer finds that no relative of the de- 
ceased or other person who will be present at the funeral was in contact 
with the deceased within 15 days before death occurred. 
Private Funeral Defined 
A private funeral allows the presence of the immediate family but re- 
quires the exclusion of all other persons not resident in the household with 
the deceased, and already exposed to infection, except the embalmer and 
his necessary assistants and a minister who shall be present only when the 
embalmer in charge of the case is also present and who shall be directed 
by said embalmer as to the precautions to be taken. 
Private funerals shall not be held from churches. Neither the funeral 
party nor the body may be taken to a church. Attendance at interment is 
limited to those enumerated above. 
TRANSPORTATION OF THE DEAD 
27. All shipping permits issued in Minnesota for the transportation of 
the remains of the dead must be signed by a licensed embalmer. A firm 
name must not be used in the signing of such permits 
28. The shipment of the dead must be governed by the transportation 
regulations adopted by the Minnesota State Board of Health. 
30. The remains of the dead must be prepared for shipment by 
licensed embalmer. 
31. Railroad officials and employees throughout the State of Minnesota 
must not receive for shipment the remains of any dead person unless the 
same have been prepared by a licensed embalmer. 
24 TRANSPORTATION PERMIT—WHEN REQUIRED 
35. A transit permit issued by the proper death registration authorities 
shall be required for each body transported by common carrier, and in all 
cases when transported by automobile, airplane or any other conveyance in 
lieu of common carrier, as hereinafter provided, and in every case when 
removed out of the state. 
It shall contain the information required on the blank furnished by the 
State Board of Health for the shipment of the dead and be properly signed 
by the local registrar, the embalmer, and person in charge of the convey- 
ance. 
The transit permit shall be given to the person in charge of the corpse, 
or if shipped by express, attached to the coffin box, and in either case de- 
livered with the body at the destination to the sexton or other person in 
charge of the cemetery, together with the burial permit, or obtain a permit 
from the health officer in cities that have local ordinances requiring burial 
permits by him in all cases. 
Re-shipment 
When it is desired to re-ship a body after it has reached its original 
destination and provided interment has not taken place, the original transit 
permit and burial permit shall be filed with the local registrar at the origi- 
nal destination and a new transit permit and burial permit shall be ob- 
tained at this original destination for shipment to the final destination. 
Transportation by Automobile 
When the points of shipment and destination are separated by three or 
more intervening municipalities (towns, villages or cities) and said points 
are connected by common carriers having regular daily railway passenger, 
baggage and express service, then in such cases a human dead body that 
is to be transported between said points by automobile, wagon, or in any 
manner other than by railway train, shall be prepared in the same manner 
as when shipped by common carrier, and the regular transit permit shall be 
made out and shall accompany the body as herein provided, except that 
when movement is made by automobile conveyance, wagon or airplane the 
body after being properly dressed, covered with clean sheets and blankets 
may be placed in a standard mortuary basket or on a regulation ambulance 
cot with the head supported by a pillow. If on such a cot the body may 
also be inclosed in an especially prepared zipper bag. “Properly dressed” 
is interpreted to mean covered with usual bed clothing, underwear or other 
conventional clothing and with stockings or socks. 
25 TRANSPORTING DEAD OF ANY COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 
36. The transportation of bodies dead of those diseases which in Reg- 
ulations 300 and 301 are defined as communicable, shall be permitted only 
under the following conditions: 
The body shall be thoroughly embalmed with an approved disinfectant 
fluid, all orifices and discharging sinuses be closed with absorbent cotton, 
the body shall be washed with the disinfectant fluid and placed at once in 
the coffin or casket which shall be closed immediately. The coffin or casket 
shall be placed in a tightly fitted, strong outside box of wood or metal. If 
shipment is to be made by automobile conveyance or airplane, the coffin or 
casket and outside box may be omitted and the body placed in a standard 
basket or on a regulation ambulance cot and dressed and covered as is pro- 
vided in Regulation 35, for shipment by automobile or other conveyance in 
lieu of train. If the condition of the body is such that it cannot be thorough- 
ly disinfected by embalming it shall in all cases be placed in a metal or 
metal-lined coffin or the coffin inclosed in a metal or metal-lined outside 
box, and which metal casket or box shall be hermetically and permanently 
sealed. 
TRANSPORTING DEAD OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 
38. The transportation of human bodies dead of non-communicable dis- 
ease shall be permitted under the following conditions: 
(a) When the destination will be reached in eighteen hours after death, 
the body shall be inclosed in a sound coffin or casket and a strong and tight 
outside box; provided that when shipment is by automobile conveyance, air- 
plane or wagon, the coffin or casket and outside case may be omitted, pro- 
vided the body is dressed, covered and placed in basket or on a cot as is 
provided for in Regulation 35 concerning shipment by automobile or other 
conveyance in lieu of train. 
(b) When the destination will not be reached within eighteen hours 
after death, the body shall be thoroughly embalmed and shipped in accord- 
ance with the provisions in paragraph (a) of this regulation. 
TRANSPORTING DISINTERRED BODIES 
39. No disinterred body dead from any disease or cause shall be shipped 
unless approved as is required by Regulation 23, by the health authorities 
having jurisdiction at the place of shipment, and transit permit signed by 
the local registrar as provided in Regulation 35 is required. 
All disinterred remains shall be enclosed in a sound, tight box and not 
thereafter opened, provided that bodies in a receiving vault when prepared 
by licensed embalmers shall not be regarded as disinterred bodies unless 
the health officer so rules. In townships having no physician as medical 
health officer for the township, a body shall be regarded as disinterred after 
the expiration of thirty days from the time of death. 
26 42. The opening of hermetically sealed caskets containing disinterred 
remains of persons dead from any cause and shipped for burial in Minne- 
sota is hereby forbidden except when so ordered by a court of competent 
jurisdiction. 
OPENING OF SEALED CASKETS 
KIND OF CONVEYANCES PERMITTED 
45. In the transportation of any dead body the following conveyances 
may be used: (1) Baggage or express car, (2) boat, (3) hearse, (4) ambu- 
lance, or (5) any standard automobile properly designed and manufactured 
for the transportation of dead human bodies, or in any wagon, sleigh or air- 
plane. 
46. (a) When a body of a person dead of a communicable disease is to 
be moved within the municipality in which death occurred or a short dis- 
tance to a nearby municipality, and which moving does not bring it under 
the transportation regulations, it must be embalmed as soon as practicable 
and if moved before embalming it is to be wrapped in a sheet previously 
dipped in some antiseptic solution, such as bichloride of mercury 1:1000 
dilution. It shall be covered, placed on cot or in basket, coffin or casket, 
and carried in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 35 except in 
relation to transit permit, which permit is not required. 
MOVING BODIES LOCALLY 
(b) When a body of a person dead of a non-communicable disease is to 
be moved as outlined in paragraph (a), it must be in accordance with the 
provisions of paragraph (a) except no embalming is required if it is buried 
within seventy-two hours after death. 
ASHES OF THE DEAD 
49. Cremation of a dead human body shall be considered as a final 
disposal of that body. No additional permit covering transportation, inter- 
ment or other disposal of the ashes of a cremated body, or concerning the 
kind of container in which such ashes are placed for preservation or trans- 
portation is required. 
NOTE: Other regulations relating to the licensing of embalmers and 
the transportation of the dead will be found in the pamphlet of laws and 
regulations published by the State Department of Health and on the print- 
ed shipping forms provided for such purpose. It should be noted that the 
transportation of a dead human body by automobile or any other convey- 
ance comes under the transportation regulations under certain conditions 
just as shipment by railway train. 
27 INDEX 
Regulation Law Page 
Abstract in: 
Stepfather’s name 3022 21 
Foster parents’ name 3023 21 
Act, Uniform Vital Statistics 144.204 12 
Actuary required to make reports 306.03 13 
Adjudication of paternity 3021 21 
Adoption: Birth certificate 144.176 8 
Altered certificates: 
To be marked “altered” 144.172 6 
Evidence for 3009 17 
3010 17 
Court to determine 144.173 6 
Probative value 144.174 7 
Ashes of the dead 49 27 
Automobile, Transportation by 35 25 
Autopsy 144.164 4 
Birth, Unattended: 
Who to file 144.161 3 
When to file supplementary information 3007 15 
Birth certificates: 
Who to file 3013 144.159 19-3 
When to file 3013 19 
With whom to file 3013 144.159 19-3 
Birth, live—Definition of 144.151 1 
Body, dead—Definition of 144.151 1 
Body (Removal of dead) 46 27 
Burial (Communicable disease) 24 24 
Burial permits 144.181 8 
Caskets, opening of sealed 42 27 
Cemetery official to be appointed 3020 20 
Certificates to be marked: 
“Altered” 144.172 6 
“Delayed” 144.172 6 
Certified copies 144.168 5 
144.169 5 
Certified copies of corrected records 3009 17 
Cities of first class — Duties of registrars in re 
transcripts 144.203 11 
Clerk of district court: 
Duty, Neglect of 144.191 9 
Duty to verify data on birth records 144.201 10 
Duty to verify data on death records 144.202 11 
Duty to transmit certificates to state 144.203 11 
Fee to be paid clerks 144.203 11 
Clerk of district court to report name of adjudi- 
cated father 257.29 12 
Clerk of district court to issue certified copies... 144.168 5 
Clerk of district court to keep files in order 3027 22 
Clerk of district court, registrars to report to 144.191 9 
Communicable disease: 
Burial of dead from 24 24 
Transportation of body dead from 38 26 
28 Regulation Law Page 
Conveyances permitted for transportation 45 27 
Coroner to certify cause of death 144.164 4 
144.165 5 
Correction after originals are filed with state.... 3008 16 
Correction by clerk at county of occurrence 3005 15 
County record: 
To be made by clerks 144.201 10 
144.202 11 
Evidentiary value 144.201 10 
144.202 11 
Court order: 
Copy to be filed 144.173 6 
Evidence and proof 144.173 7 
Cremation 49 144.151 27-1 
144.164 4 
Dead: 
Of communicable disease 36 26 
Transportation of 27 24 
Shipment of 27 24 
Re-shipment of 35 25 
Dead body, Definition of 144.151 1 
Dead body: 
Coming into state 144.182 9 
Passing through state 144.182 9 
Disposal and removal of 144.181 8 
Death: 
Cause to be given by physician 144.164 4 
Coroner’s duty 144.164 4 
To be referred to health officer 144.164 4 
To be referred to local registrar 144.163 4 
144.164 4 
Death certificates 144.163 4 
144.164 4 
144.165 5 
144.166 5 
Delayed certificates: 
To bo marked “delayed” 144.172 6 
Evidence needed 3011 17 
Court to be petitioned 144.173 6 
Probative value 144.174 7 
Delayed registration 3011 17 
Deputy State Registrar to be appointed and re- 
moved 144.156 2 
Disclosure of illegitimacy 3022 144.175 21-7 
3023 21 
Disinterred bodies, Transportation of 39 26 
45 27 
Disinterment 23 23 
Division of vital statistics, State Board of Health 
to establish 144.152 1 
Duty: 
Neglect by local registrar 144.191 9 
Neglect by clerk of court 144.191 9 
Embalmers and funeral directors reports 3017- 20 
Employees of vital statistics—Compensation.... 144.158 3 
Evidence for delayed registrations 3011 17 
Evidence: 
Preservation of 3012 144.172 19-6 
Probative value of 144.174 7 
Exact duplicate 144.201 10 
144.202 11 
29 Regulation Law Page 
Facts to be queried; 
Birth 144.201 10 
Death 144.202 11 
False information 3026 22 
Federal agencies, Data to be supplied to 144.175 7 
Fees: 
For certified copies 144.169 5 
For clerks of cour£ 144.203 11 
For local registrars 144.191 9 
State Registrar to keep accounting of 144.169 5 
To be paid for transcripts 144.203 11 
Foster parents’ name on abstracts of birth 3023 21 
Given name to be added 3010 17 
Hospitals to report 3018 144.178 20-8 
Illegitimacy, Disclosure of 3022 144.175 21-7 
3023 21 
Illegitimate births; 
How to report 3015 19 
Where to file 144.159 3 
With whom to file 3013 19 
Information not to be sold 3025 22 
Inspection of records forbidden 144.175 7 
Institutions—Reports 3018 144.178 20-8 
Interment, Person in charge of (definition) 144.151 1 
Legitimation: Birth certificate 144.177 8 
Legitimation of birth 3024 21 
Licensed embalmer to disinter 23 23 
Lists not to be sold 3025 22 
Live birth, Definition of 144.151 1 
Local movement of bodies 46 27 
Local registrar: 
Duties of 144.191 9 
Fees to be received 144.191 9 
Fees to be paid by county 144.191 9 
Neglect of duty 144.191 9 
To appoint deputies 144.157 2 
To enforce vital statistics law 144.157 2 
To be removed for cause 144.157 2 
Local registrars of cities of 100,000 population, 
duties of 144.191 9 
Local registrars to issue certified copies 144.168 5 
Local registrars to return data to: 
Federal agencies, 
State agencies, 
Municipal agencies 144.175 7 
Local registrar to transmit certificates to clerk.. 3013 19 
Moving bodies locally 46 27 
“No report” cards 144.191 9 
Notice of removal 3019 20 
Opening of sealed caskets 42 27 
Order of court: 
Copy to be filed, 
Evidence and proof 144.173 6 
30 Regulation Law Page 
Paternity, Adjudication of 3021 21 
Penalty 144.49, subd. 2, 
3 and 4 12 
Permits, Burial 144.181 8 
144.183 9 
Physician to report births 3013 144.159 19-3 
Prima Facie evidence: 
Certificates, 
Data on father 144.167 5 
Primary registration districts: 
City, 
Village 
Township 144.154 2 
Private funeral 24 24 
Public records—Restrictions against disclosure of 
data 144.175 7 
Registration districts: 
Primary, 
Combination of 144.154 2 
Regulations—Effective date 144.153 2 
Research—Board to supply information 144.175 7 
Re-shipment 35 25 
Removal, Notice of 3019 20 
Reports of embalmers and funeral directors 3017 20 
Reports of hospitals 3018 144.178 20-8 
Sealed caskets 42 27 
Sextons, Duties of 144.181 8 
Shipment of dead 27,28, 24 
30,31, 24 
35,36, 25-26 
45 27 
Standard time 3014 19 
State Board of Health: 
Appoint sub-registrars 144.157 2 
Enforce act and regulations 144.152 1 
Establish a division of vital statistics 144.152 1 
Furnish forms 144.152 1 
Give instructions 144.152 1 
Install a state-wide system of vital statistics 144.152 1 
Make and amend regulations 144.152 1 
Preserve records 144.152 1 
Regulations—Effective date 144.153 2 
Remove sub-registrars 144.157 2 
State Registrar of Vital Statistics: 
To be appointed 144.155 2 
To have charge of vital statistics 144.156 2 
To enforce act and regulations 144.156 2 
To appoint and remove deputy state registrars. 144.156 2 
Stepfather’s name on abstract 3022 21 
Stillbirth, Definition of 144.151 1 
Stillbirth certificate: 
Contents 144.164 4 
144.166 5 
When to file 144.163, 
144.164 4 
Where to file 144.163, 
144.164 4 
Who to file 144.164 4 
Sub-registrar, Duties of 3016 ' 19 
31 Regulation Law Page 
Sub-registrars to be appointed 144.157 2 
Supplemental information for unattended birth,. 3007 15 
Title of Act 144.204 12 
Transcripts; 
Clerk’s duty to make 144.203 11 
Duty of registrar of city of first class to make.. 144.203 11 
Payment to cities of first class 144.203 11 
Transportation of dead 27, 24 
28, 24 
30, 24 
31 24 
35 25 
36 26 
45 27 
Transportation of disinterred bodies 39 26 
Unattended birth: 
Who to file 144.161 3 
When to file supplementary information 3007 15 
Uniform Vital Statistics Act 144.204 12 
Unknown child: 
Birth certificate for 144.162 3 
When to file 144.162 3 
Identification of thereafter 144.162 3 
Unorganized township 144.154 2 
Verification by clerk of court: 
Births 144.201 10 
Deaths 144.202 11 
Facts delayed beyond the 10th 3006 15 
Facts to be queried 144.201 10 
144.202 11 
Vital Statistics — State-wide system 144.152 1 
Vital Statistics — What term includes 144.151 1 
32