§16-5-14. Delayed registration of births.

(a) The State Registrar may register a delayed certificate of birth in accordance with a legislative rule to be promulgated by the department, which rule will provide for qualifications for applicants and the evidentiary documentation required. The rule may provide for the dismissal of an application which is not actively pursued.

(b) When a certificate of birth of a person born in West Virginia has not been filed within one year, a delayed certificate of birth may be filed in accordance with the legislative rule.

(c) A certificate of birth registered one year or more after the date of birth shall be registered on a delayed certificate of birth form. The delayed certificate of birth will show on its face the date of registration and will contain a summary statement of the evidentiary documentation submitted in support of the delayed registration.

(d) A delayed certificate of birth may not be registered for a deceased person.

(e) If the evidentiary documentation required is not filed with the application for a delayed registration of birth or the state Registrar has cause to question the validity or adequacy of the evidentiary documentation, the state Registrar may not register the delayed certificate of birth and shall advise the applicant of his or her right to seek an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

(f) In addition to the required documentation and other data furnished in an application for a delayed registration of birth in accordance with the provisions of this section, a person whose name is to appear on the certificate of birth as a parent shall contemporaneously furnish with the application the social security number or numbers issued to the parent.