Reps. Kathy L. Rapp and Kristin Marcell have requested that Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor conduct an audit of the Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records. This division manages the issuance and oversight of birth and death records in Pennsylvania.
The lawmakers clarified that their request does not involve reviewing individual certificates but focuses on evaluating the division’s policies, processes, and procedures. They noted a significant increase in complaints from constituents about delays in processing these vital records.
If the auditor general agrees to proceed, Rapp and Marcell asked for several areas to be reviewed: how funds allocated to the division are used, how requests for vital records are processed—including timeliness—and whether there is sufficient staff to handle these requests efficiently.
Rapp stated, “Lengthy delays in receiving these vital records are more than a simple inconvenience. It can be massively problematic given these documents are often needed to complete the final disposition of the deceased, to access funds needed to pay for the funeral services selected and to open or administer an estate. It’s bad enough to lose a loved one. Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to suffer through months of delays to receive a death certificate on top of that loss.”
Marcell added, “Constituents have an expectation their government will work efficiently and timely on their behalf. The extended delays in Vital Records performing its responsibilities are unacceptable and must be reviewed. In one instance, delays were caused by an inventory shortage of security paper used to make birth and death certificates. This audit request is about taking a closer look at the division’s policies, staffing and use of resources so we can identify what is causing these delays and implement practical solutions that improve the process for Pennsylvanians.”
Kristin Marcell represents constituents in Bucks County as a state representative according to her official website. She has resided in Wrightstown with her family and has experience serving on the Council Rock School Board as well as holding roles in communications. Marcell earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State University and a master’s degree in public policy from George Washington University (source).
