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Good news: Copy of birth or marriage certificates can now be ‘ordered’ online

American Samoans living off island who are seeking a copy of the their birth or marriage certifricate can now order the documents online through a new service provided by VitalChek, which has provided such online services for some 20 years.

 

Samoa News found that the total fee for ordering through this online service is $19.75 — including shipping.

 

In a news release early this week, the local Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) says the new service will assist both local and off island American Samoans, with the launching of the new Government Certified Vital Record request services via the Internet.

 

The new online request service is offered through a partnership with VitalChek, which has over 20 years of experience in providing Americans with official government vital documents through a convenient and secure process, said ASDHS.

 

According to the company website, VitalChek provides this service for over 400 government agencies throughout the U.S. and its territories, safely delivering millions of important documents every year.

 

ASDHS says it has been working over the past months with VitalChek to create and establish this online service for our residents, with special attention to residents who currently reside outside of American Samoa.

 

Further ASDHS has recognized this as a needed service due to the frequency in which the OVS receives requests from residents living abroad for their birth certificates and other vital documents. In an effort to improve this service, ASDHS said it has been working diligently with VitalChek to establish this service.

 

“This system will also improve ASDHS’s accountability to the customers by having a system in place to track when orders were placed and update status of each individual’s order,” the release says.

 

“This will be a huge step forward for American Samoa in improving an essential service for our residents through the use of technology and automation,” it says, adding that ASDHS anticipates a spike and surge in customers, and will be working towards filling as much of the requests as quickly as possible.

 

Because this online request service is in its initial phase, “we anticipate some adjustments and some minor delays as ASDHS tweaks and continually improve this process,” it says.

 

ASDHS has conducted much planning to make sure these delays are kept to a minimum, but asks customers to also be aware and patient as ASHDS improves the new service and builds this process to become as efficient as possible.

 

Requests for American Samoa vital records can be made through www.vitalchek.com and customers requesting a vital record can just go through the “PLACE AN ORDER” links on the site and select American Samoa when going through the ordering process.

 

Residents can also pay for their request through an online payment system using their credit card. All requests will be processed and tracked via this online system by the ASDHS OVS staff.

 

TESTING THE SYSTEM

 

Samoa News tested the online order system — which works — by utilizing the name of one of our American Samoa born reporters. Samoa News learned that for this process the first birth certificate is $7; VitalChek processing fee is $12.75 and the shipping fee is 45 cents (for mailing to a local P.O. Box, if used.)

 

During the ordering process, you will be asked to provide your social security number, and parents names (if father is unknown, there is a place to check on the order) for verification purposes. In the section of the order which asks for the city where you were born, it actually names the villages in American Samoa from which you can select.

 

“An applicant may only order his or her own birth certificate or one for a minor child. Legal guardians and representatives may order but will require additional documentation providing proof of tangible interest,” according to a notice that popped up during the order process.

 

You may not be able to complete the order during the initial process, as the service provider will tell you: “Please be advised that American Samoa Department of Homeland Security requires the following identity verification documents to process your request”.

 

Verification documents include a valid driver’s license, valid ID card or passport which can  scanned and uploaded right from the order form or sent_ via fax. You can also use as verification documents, insurance statement, work ID, and vehicle registration. You would need two of these documents for verification. These documents can also be faxed or uploaded right in the order form.

 

If there are any questions or requests for additional assistance, please contact the ASDHS Office of Vital Statistics at 684-633-1405/1406, or via email vital records@asdhs.as.gov

 

Samoa News reporter Fili Sagapolutele contributed to this report