New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Controls Over Vital Records (Follow-Up Review)

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is responsible for the registration, issuance and maintenance of birth and death certificates in New York City. In our prior audit report 99-N-6, we evaluated the internal controls over these activities and identified a number of weaknesses. For example, birth certificates could be issued without the required proof of identity, birth certificate numbers may not have been fully accounted for, and voided birth and death certificates were not adequately accounted for. We recommended several improvements in the Department's internal controls, and in our follow-up review, we found that progress had been made in implementing these recommendations.

For a complete copy of Report 2002-F-34 click here.