OHA to raise fees Jan. 1 for online, phone-ordered vital records

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ — The Center for Health Statistics at Oregon Health Authority is raising fees on orders for certified copies of vital records placed online and by phone. The $4.25 fee increases go into effect Jan. 1.

The Center for Health Statistics — also known as Oregon Vital Records and based at OHA’s Public Health Division — contracts with VitalChek to take and review orders for certified copies of vital records placed online and over the phone. VitalChek processes the credit payments, provides identity authentication services, and reviews order to ensure customer are eligible to receive vital records as required by law.

Jennifer Woodward, Ph.D., state registrar and Center for Health Statistics manager, said VitalChek has not increased these fees since 2013.

“The fee adjustment will help cover increasing business costs that all businesses have seen nationwide,” she said. “The increased fees will provide VitalChek the resources needed to service that higher volume and continue to provide good customer service.”

Starting Jan. 1, the total fee for using a credit card over the phone will increase from $44.95 to $49.20; the total cost for online orders increases from $43.25 to $47.50. The costs for both options include VitalChek’s basic credit card processing fee, which is $13.20 for phone orders and $11.50 for online orders; $4 for VitalChek’s instant authentication service; $25 for a certificate; and $7 for expedited delivery. 

The online and phone ordering services fees charged by VitalChek only go to VitalChek. None of the fees, or the $4.25 fee increase, are directed to the Center for Health Statistics. The vital records fees that are charged for certificates and for expedite processing of orders are not changing.

For its fees, VitalChek provides the following services to its customers:

• Call center services 24/7 to take phone orders for certificates.
• Website for online orders for certificates at VitalChek.com.
• Credit card processing and automatic refunds if needed.
• Initial review of orders to make sure orders are complete.
• Initial eligibility review to make sure customers are eligible to receive a vital record under Oregon law.
• Identity authentication quiz (Instant Authenticate) to confirm identity of customer as required under Oregon law.
• Follow up with customers if additional information is missing.
• Review of all documents before sending orders to the Center for Health Statistics for final review and processing.

Those needing vital records have other options that don’t require paying the extra online or phone ordering fees. They include ordering in person at the Portland State Office Building (PSOB) in Northeast Portland, by mail, or by using the drop box at PSOB. The address for PSOB is 800 NE Oregon St., Portland, 97232.

Visit www.HealthOregon.org/chs to learn more about the fees for the various ways to order a vital record through the state vital records office.