About Us
Who We Are
Founded in 1933, the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) is the national nonprofit organization representing state vital records and public health statistics offices across the United States, including all 50 states, five territories, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
We provide leadership to the vital records community through advocacy, development of resources and training, as well as managing multiple secure data exchange and verification platforms.
Our Mission
To serve the vital records community by providing national leadership to advance public health and protect individual identity.
Our Vision
A healthier and more secure world through vital records.
About Vital Records
What Are Vital Records?
Vital records are official legal documents that record key life events—birth, death, fetal death, marriage, and divorce—maintained by the jurisdiction where the event occurred.
Why Vital Records Matter:
Protecting Identity
Vital records are foundational documents used to establish legal identity. Often called breeder documents, they are necessary to obtain identification documents such as a U.S. passport or driver’s license. Vital records offices register and issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for use in legal, administrative, and personal matters.
Our Vision
Beyond their legal importance, vital records contain essential information used to monitor and improve the health of our communities. Public health agencies rely on this data to track trends, evaluate programs, and respond to emerging issues. Whether it is measuring life expectancy, analyzing teen birth rates, or understanding the leading causes of death like cancer or heart disease—vital records are the source behind the statistics.
The Importance of Vital Records
- Supply critical data to public health to track diseases, monitor trends, and shape policy.
- Serve as breeder documents for passports, driver’s licenses, employee verification, etc.
- Provide legal proof of identity for everyday life and emergency situations.
- Support other government agencies in administrative functions, such as confirming eligibility for benefits or verifying voter registration rolls.