Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 181 - VITAL STATISTICS › Subchapter A - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › Section 181.1 - Definitions

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter,
					 shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
					 otherwise.
(1) Applicant--A person who
				  requests a service pertaining to a record of birth or death, verification of
				  marriage or divorce, or release of personal data. (Also, see definition for
				  properly qualified applicant).
(2)
				  Birth records--Records governing births filed pursuant to the Texas Vital
				  Statistics Act, the Health and Safety Code, Title 3.
(3) Certified--A certified statement, form,
				  or letter, of the facts stated on the form or document as filed in the Vital
				  Statistics Unit, certified by the State Registrar or duly appointed designee,
				  over the respective signature and may bear the seal of the Vital Statistics
				  Unit.
(4) Certified copy--An
				  abstract or photocopy of the original record issued as filed with the Vital
				  Statistics Unit, and issued on a designated form or security paper which shall
				  bear the "state seal," the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital
				  Statistics Unit or the seal of their office, and the facsimile signature of the
				  State Registrar or the local registration official.
(5) Dead body--A lifeless human body or such
				  parts of the human body or the bones thereof from the state of which it may be
				  reasonably concluded that death occurred.
(6) Disinterment--To exhume, unbury, or take
				  out of the grave.
(7) Death
				  records--Records governing deaths and fetal deaths filed pursuant to the Texas
				  Vital Statistics Act.
(8)
				  Department--The Texas Department of State Health Services, formerly known as
				  the Texas Department of Health.
(9)
				  Embalming--The act of disinfecting or preserving a human dead body, entire or
				  in part, by the use of chemical substances, fluids, or gases in the body; or by
				  the introduction of the same into the body by vascular or hypodermic injection;
				  or by direct application into the organs or cavities; or by any other method
				  intended to disinfect or preserve a dead body or restore body tissues and
				  structures.
(10) Fetal death
				  (stillbirth)--Death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its
				  mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy;
				  the death is indicated by the fact that after such separation, the fetus does
				  not breathe or show any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart,
				  pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary
				  muscles.
(11) Genealogist--An
				  individual who traces the descent of persons or families. He or she may be an
				  individual family member or a person hired by the family to trace a family tree
				  or do family research.
(12)
				  Identification of applicant--Each applicant must present a current form of
				  government issued photo identification along with his or her application. If
				  the applicant is unable to present a current form of photo identification, two
				  valid supporting forms of identification may be presented, one of which bears
				  the applicant's signature.
(13)
				  Immediate family member--The registrant, his or her guardian, or the children,
				  spouses, parents, siblings, or grandparents of the registrant.
(14) Indexes--An index to or listing of birth
				  records, death records, applications for marriage licenses, and reports of
				  divorce or annulment of marriage.
(A)
				  Consolidated indexes--These indexes are vital records consisting of more than
				  one event year. Consolidated indexes may be prepared for any vital event at the
				  discretion of the State Registrar in the form prescribed.
(B) General birth and death indexes--These
				  indexes are maintained or established by the Vital Statistics Unit or a local
				  registration official which shall be prepared by event year, in alphabetical
				  order by surname of the registrant, followed by any given names or initials,
				  the date of the event, the county of occurrence, the state or local file
				  number, the name of the father, the maiden name of the mother, and sex of the
				  registrant.
(C) Summary birth and
				  death index--These indexes are maintained or established by the Vital
				  Statistics Unit or a local registration official which shall be prepared by
				  event year, in alphabetical order by surname of the registrant, followed by any
				  given names or initials, the date of the event, the county of occurrence, and
				  sex of the registrant.