The City of Arlington Bureau of Vital Records has been recognized by the Texas Department of State Health Services for its performance in reporting births, deaths and other important information.
The Exemplary Five-Star Award is given to local registrar offices, including city secretaries, county clerks and county health departments. Vital Records Coordinator Elbia Hernandez, who has been with the City of Arlington since 1999, will accept the award during a December conference in Austin. The Vital Records Office has won two "Exemplary Five Star' and two "Five Star' awards over the years.
Arlington's Vital Records Office is responsible for ensuring that every birth and death occurring in the city limits of Arlington is properly registered and filed with State of Texas Bureau of Vital Records. The office maintains records for all Texas births from 1903 to present. Death records from April 1971 to present are also available here.
According to the State Department of State Health Services, Arlington's Vital Records Office continues to score high in customer service, training and timeliness. With technology, the office processes 98 percent of its records online within one business day or receipt. In 2011, they issued 10,058 birth certificates and 3,408 death certificates.
"I try my hardest to meet the State's expectations that they want from us being local registrars,' said Elbia Hernandez. "After all is said and done, everyone will get what they need, my customers get their documents and the funeral homes get their certificates to their clients. At the end of year getting this honor is a great accomplishment for the City of Arlington.'
The City of Arlington Bureau of Vital Records office recently moved to City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street on the first floor. This office is a division of the City Secretary's Office. To learn more about birth and death certificates and the Bureau of Vital Records, visit http://webapps.arlingtontx.gov/tmp/citysecretary/vital.html or call 817-459-6777 ext. 6234.
By Reginald Lewis
Vital Records Coordinator Elbia Hernandez
Community, Government, News