|
RICHMOND, VA - Governor Glenn Youngkin today joined Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Secretary Janet Kelly, State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D., Virginia Department of Health (VDH) State Registrar and Director of the Office of Vital Records Seth Austin, and other leaders for a tour to celebrate the success of the newly-relocated VDH Office of Vital Records' (OVR) in modernizing its services and delivering faster, more efficient, and more compassionate customer care for Virginians.
"Today we celebrate incredible milestones at the Office of Vital Records-not just a new facility, but a transformation in how Virginians are served," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "In just a few years, OVR went from being under federal performance review to now ranking among the top five in the nation. Whether it's birth certificates ready before families leave the hospital, marriage records processed in days instead of months, or every record backed up digitally, these improvements are changing lives. The success of the OVR team shows that when we set bold goals, work together, and keep Virginians at the center, we deliver lasting results."
Over the past several years, OVR has implemented wide-ranging improvements as part of Governor Youngkin's efforts to ensure efficient and effective government services statewide. Key accomplishments include:
-
Faster Amendments: A new e-amendment portal reduced processing time for digital requests to a single day, with other amendments averaging five days.
-
Streamlined Printing: A secure printing process launched in 2024 cut a full day from every request, saving approximately $130,000 annually.
-
Electronic Birth Registration: As of August 2025, parents can receive their baby's birth certificate before hospital discharge, supported by a modernized payment system launched in March 2025.
-
Digitization and Resiliency: All records from 1960 to the present are digitized, creating a secure digital backup while preserving paper records as a safeguard against cybersecurity risks.
These changes have dramatically improved service delivery: birth certificate processing times have dropped from 4-6 weeks to just 2-3 days, and wait times for marriage certificates have fallen from 60 days to 25 days, with additional reforms underway to reduce that even time further.
"The Office of Vital Records is a shining example of what happens when government recognizes that its citizens deserve fast, efficient public sector customer service," said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. "Virginians can now access these important documents quickly and easily, and the Office of Vital Records story is a bright chapter in Governor Youngkin's commitment to making Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family."
"OVR staff worked diligently to make this transition to a new location seamless for customers," said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D. "Customers are now able to make most requests for vital records online. OVR staff continue to emphasize excellent customer service as they process thousands of requests annually. Most requests are routine, but OVR has a team of special services experts to assist with cases such as a birth certificate never being filed or a certificate needing to be changed or amended."
"The relocation increases security, provides ample parking, enhances the customer experience, and provides greater privacy to those who need essential services," said VDH State Registrar Seth Austin. "We greatly appreciate the work of the Office of Vital Records staff in making this important move possible and we are all excited to welcome our customers to our new office where we hope to make every visit a positive experience."
VDH's Office of Vital Records maintains and provides official records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces filed in Virginia. The new location includes a reimagined customer service lobby and staff offices with dedicated space for private discussions with walk-in or appointment customers. Most vital records can also be requested at local DMV and local health department locations. Any requests for changes or amendments must be handled directly by the OVR.
For additional information and updates on the Office of Vital Records, call (804) 662-6200, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/.
|
