From A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology
(http://www.archivists.org/glossary/term_details.asp?DefinitionKey=221):

Definition:
n. ~ 1. Records that document significant life events, including births,
deaths, marriages, divorces, and public health matters; vital statistics. -
2. Emergency operation records immediately necessary to begin recovery of
business after a disaster, as well as rights-and-interests records necessary
to protect the assets, obligations, and resources of the organization, as
well as its employees and customers or citizens; essential records.

Notes:
Vital records typically document delegation of authority and lines of
succession and include legal documents and contracts, financial records, and
other documents that establish the rights and obligations of the
organization, its employees and customers, stockholders, and citizens.


Daniel W. Noonan, MLS, CDIA+
Electronic Records Manager/Archivist
The Ohio State University Archives
600 Ackerman Road, Rm 5822
Columbus, OH 43202
614.247.2425
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http://library.osu.edu/sites/archives/retention/records.php

-----Original Message-----
From: Loomis, Nancy [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 6:20 PM
Subject: "Vital Records" Definition

We are in the process of reviewing our current definition of "Vital Records"
for our Records Management Program and would be interested in the verbiage
used by others.  

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