ANNOTATION FORM COULD PREVENT I.D. THEFT
Monday, April 7th, 2008 -- 8:42 AM
Clark County's Register of Deeds is informing residents of a program aimed to stop identity thieves from using your vital records.Although most people don't realize it, it's illegal to photocopy birth, death and marriage certificates to avoid fraudulent use.
Lois Hagedorn encourages organizations, such as schools, which use information from birth records, to use annotation forms, and return the certified copy of the document.
"They can now use the (annotation) form, extract information and put it on the form and no longer have to make a photocopy," Hagedorn says.
Schools, banks and hospitals may benefit from the forms. Thankfully, identity theft is not as big of a problem in our area as it is in the larger urban areas, according to Hagedorn.
If you'd like more information on the annotation forms, you can contact your local Register of Deeds office.
"Also, the form is available out on the [url=http://www.wrdaonline.org]Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association website[/url]," Hagedorn says.
Birth records have multiple uses, including: children starting school, work permits and driver's licenses.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.