California counties, including those in the North State, have rationed birth and death certificates since their paper supplier went out of business in August. But that shortage looks near an end.
The now-defunct paper supplier Northern Bank Note was the only one in the U.S. printing paper that conforms to California law. That’s forced counties to limit copies of birth and death certificates. County Recorders Association of California lobbyist Rob Grossglauser says it’s been a big deal.
“A very big deal—one of those things, when it doesn’t work or it’s not available, people realize how important it is,” he says.
The state contracted with another supplier this month, in Canada. California public health director Karen Smith says paper shipments should begin arriving in mid-November.
“We’re really close to a time when most counties will be able to resume business as usual,” she said.
But Grossglauser says as many as 10 counties are at risk of running out of paper before then. Two already have.
This story was produced by Capital Public Radio.