Vital Records Resources

Electronic Death Certifications

The New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (NMBVRHS) has been experiencing an increased amount of death certificates being submitted untimely, with errors, and missing information. This is causing a delay in processing and finalizing death certificates, which is contributing to untimely case submission and adding strain on the issue of storage capacity for bodies.

According to the Vital Records Act, a death certificate must be filed within five days following the date of death, and a medical certification must be signed and completed within forty-eight hours after death, NMSA 1978, Sections 24-14-20 (A), (C). Death certificates are required to be completed accurately, entirely, and submitted to NMBVRHS within the required timeframes. Additionally, the New Mexico Administrative Code section 7.2.2.13 requires death certificates and medical certifications to be filed through the prescribed electronic system.

Funeral homes should send requests for electronic medical certification as early as possible. Certifiers must also electronically complete and sign the medical certification section and return the death certificates to funeral homes within the required timeframes. Electronic certification includes mobile access, allowing a certification to take place anywhere with a secure internet connection. All these components will result in improved data quality, quicker death certification completions, less orders getting returned for corrections, and less time being lost to amendments. If anyone is not yet set up for electronic certification, please refer to the following attachments for further information and to start the process of setting up electronic certifications.The Electronic Certifier Training Request Form and the User Agreement must be completed and returned to NMBVRHS either by email: evitals.dave@state.nm.us, or by fax: 1-866-672-4137 or 1-505-827-0403.

NMBVRHS is available to support you in any way needed to ensure a smooth filing process for the betterment of all New Mexicans. If you need additional information, please contact 505-539-3420.

• Electronic Certifier Training Request Form
• User Agreement

Additional Reference Material for Electronic Certifications:

• Evitals Quick Reference
• Quick Guide for EVitals Medical Certifiers
• Handbook for EVitals Medical Certifiers
• CDC Instructions for completion COD
• OMI Reportable Deaths on Death Certificates
• Reportable Deaths to OMI
• Funeral Homes Handbook for EVitals DAVE

Vital Records

Resources

American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying (ACAMAID) American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying (ACAMAID) ACAMAID is a nonprofit professional organization comprised of and focused specifically for clinicians, allied supportive staff and trained volunteers devoted to developing and improving best practices for the care of patients considering or completing Aid in Dying.

Compassion and Choices Compassion and Choices Compassion and Choices supports national and local efforts to legalize medically assisted deaths, inform the public about advance care planning and their end-of-life options and educates the public and health care professionals about end-of-life issues. C&C works to improve care, improve options, and empower everyone to chart their end-of-life journey.

Current New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 Current New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 Current New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978

Death with Dignity Death with Dignity Death with Dignity is a national nonprofit that focuses on advocacy and legal reform. Their values strongly favor freedom and autonomy, resulting in tangible improvements for all end-of-life choices. Their goal is to ensure people with terminal illness can decide for themselves what a good death means in accordance with their values and beliefs.

End of Life Options New Mexico (EOLONM) End of Life Options New Mexico (EOLONM) End of Life Options New Mexico (EOLONM) is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide information and support for advance care planning and end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying. Deploying a cadre of trained local volunteers, EOLONM provides outreach and community education statewide and individual client support when requested through a staffed telephone line and the EOLONM website.

evitals.dave@state.nm.us evitals.dave@state.nm.us Send an email to eVitals DAVE

Vital Records Reference by State Vital Records Reference by State Provides a reference of where to obtain birth, death, marriage, or divorce records by state.

VitalChek Express Certificate Service VitalChek Express Certificate Service New Mexico Vital Records does not accept credit cards or online orders. However, you may order birth certificates and death certificates online through our independent partner company.

NOTE: Please visit the Vital Records Publications page to access all of our forms.