(1) After a local registrar has received, numbered, and signed a death, birth, or fetal death certificate, the registrar shall file the original with the department and one copy with the county as required by 50-15-109 , MCA. The local registrar must retain a triplicate copy of each paper certificate, which must be filed to be easily accessible for reference.

(2) A registrar must retain for two years each copy of a paper certificate recorded in accordance with 50-15-109 , MCA. After two years, the local registrar may request written permission from the department to destroy the triplicate copy of the certificates.

(3) Triplicate copies may not be destroyed unless the department gives written permission to do so.

(4) Submission to and acceptance of an electronic image of a birth, death, or fetal death certificate by the department through the department's approved electronic registration system constitutes an official filing of a record. All certified paper copies generated from electronically filed records must be accepted as though they contain all required signatures.

(5) When leaving the position of local registrar, the outgoing registrar must deliver all records to the succeeding registrar or to another person designated by the department.