Vital Records Information System Management (VRISM)
Contact Us Birth Clerks and Midwives Medical Certifiers Funeral Homes County Clerks (Marriages) Divorce Clerks and Attorneys Public Updates
The VRISM project allows for electronic communication between the Tennessee Office of Vital Records and those partners who help register vital events that occur in Tennessee, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce.
This web-based system significantly reduces the time between the occurrence and registration of vital events, allowing for greater efficiency and greater ease of access for the public we serve.
NOTICE OF TRANSITION TO FULLY ELECTRONIC BIRTH REGISTRATION SYSTEM: PAPER SUBMISSION OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER JUNE 24, 2019
NOTICE OF TRANSITION TO FULLY ELECTRONIC DEATH REGISTRATION SYSTEM: PAPER SUBMISSION OF DEATH CERTIFICATES NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER JULY 16, 2018
**If you are locked out of your account, need technical support, or need to change the email address on your profile, please call the VRISM Help Desk, M-F 8:00-4:30 CST, at 855-874-7686**
FOR EXISTING VRISM USERS:
Click the button below to log in to your VRISM account
Click the button below to reset your password:
Click the link below to request changes to your VRISM access:
FOR NEW VRISM USERS:
If you are employed with an entity that is responsible for registering a vital event with the State of Tennessee; Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce or Fetal, please reach out to our help desk at (855) 874-7686 to submit a user agreement.
For questions regarding the registration of birth records, such as
demographic information, legal name requirements, rejected records, and more, contact:
Registration Unit
(615) 645-1117
For questions regarding VRISM technical support, such as signing in, resetting
security information, and new user registration, contact:
VRISM Help Desk
(855) 874-7686 • Health.VRISM@tn.gov
Birth Clerk Update Sheet
2024 EBRS Guide for Birth Clerks and Midwives
Birth registration Web training Video
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a new employee in our office. Can I just let them use my account to log into the system?
No, please have them complete a VRISM Access User Request & Agreement by contacting our help desk at 855-874-7686. Once they have been registered, an email will be sent to their email address with their login information.
How long do I have to file the record with the State?
All documentation must be mailed within five days of the birth in order to complete the registration in accordance with TCA §§ 63-3-301. If documentation needs to be adjusted, it will be mailed back to you and should be returned to the OVR within two days.
Where should the VAoP be mailed?
The VAoP should be emailed to certificate.health@tn.gov within two days of completion with originals being mailed to the State office at a minimum of two times per week to:
Office of Vital Records
Attn: Birth Registration
710 James Robertson Parkway
Andrew Johnson Tower, 1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Information for Medical Certifiers (Death Certificates)
Medical Certifier Update Sheet
EDRS Guide for Medical Certifiers
EDRS Guide for Delayed Diagnosis of Death
Rules and Laws for Death Certificates (from the office of the Chief ME)
Requirements for Manner and Cause of Death (from the office of the Chief ME)
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to fill out?
Medical Certifiers are responsible for Tabs 7-11. A Medical certifier must be an MD or DO with a valid license to practice in Tennessee (with the exceptions of a physician employed at a VA hospital).
Who can certify a record with a non-natural manner of death?
Only a Medical Examiner may certify a death certificate with a non-natural manner. For more information on this, please review the "Requirements for Manner and Cause of Death" document in this section.
I don't know the date or time of the patients death, what should I enter?
If the date or time is unknown, enter the numerical information as 99/99/9999 for the date or 99:99 for the time.
Funeral Director Update Sheet
EDRS Guide for Funeral Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I have to fill out?
Funeral homes are responsible for Tabs 1-6, assignment, and releasing on Tab 11. Tabs 1-6 cover the demographic information of the decedent, and Tab 11 is where you may assign the record to a physician and release the record to the state after it is certified.
I don't know the date or time of the patients death, what should I enter?
If the date or time is unknown, enter the numerical information as 99/99/9999 for the date or 99:99 for the time.
Why can't I release the record?
There are two reasons why you may not be able to release a record:
1. Records may only be released by a Funeral Director. If you are not a Funeral Director, please have one at your location log in to release the record.
2. There may be missing information. To determine if this is the case, open the record and click "Finish" at the bottom of Tab 11. You will be directed to the VRISM Warning Screen. Ensure there is no missing data form the record, which would be shown as a link under an "Attn: Funeral Director or Person Acting as Such" or "Attn: Medical Certifier" heading.
Marriage County Clerk Update Sheet
VRISM Marriage County Clerk Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to have the couple review the draft copy before I give them the official license?
Yes, the system will not let you print the official license without checking the box that the couple has reviewed and approved the draft copy.
Is the couple required to sign the license in front of the clerk before they leave with the license?
Yes
Divorce Clerk Update Sheet
VRISM Court Clerk Guide for Divorce Records
Attorney Update Sheet
VRISM Attorney Guide for Divorce Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Attorney office required to start the case in VRISM?
No, that is up to each Court Clerk’s office. The only thing to watch for is that both offices are not starting the same record.
What if I find that two cases have been started.
The office that created the second case must be the one to cancel it in VRISM. Follow the path: Death > Maintain > Cancel
This web page will serve as a source of information for the public about the progress of the VRISM project.
- As of April 2017, VRISM Issuance enabled local health departments to issue birth and death certificates state-wide (with the exception of satellite offices).
- The VRISM Electronic Death Registration System is fully operational as of September 2017.
- VRISM Electronic Death Registration became mandatory in July 2018, and we currently register over 100% of the state's death certificates fully electronic.
- VRISM Electronic Birth Registration launched in June 2019, and is currently being utilized at all birthing facilities in Tennessee.
- Electronic Marriage and Divorce Registration launched in 2021.