ChoicePoint Acquires VitalChek
ChoicePoint, the Alpharetta, Georgia-based public record database has acquired VitalChek, the Nashville, TN-based supplier of technology that helps state and local governments manage vital records. VitalChek also provides a network for processing vital record requests.
Through its network of over 250 affiliates, VitalChek offers certified copies of birth, death, marriage and divorce records in 49 of the 50 states as well as British Columbia, Canada. (Not all documents are available from all jurisdictions.) VitalChek does not provide documents from Louisiana. Orders may be placed over the Internet, by phone or fax.
"ChoicePoint's core competency is verifying and authenticating individuals and their credentials. Adding VitalChek's vital record technology, data management services and network capabilities are a natural extension of our products and services that help verify a person's identity, a process that often begins with a birth certificate," noted ChoicePoint chairman and CEO Derek V. Smith in a press release announcing the deal.
"We also believe the increased emphasis on homeland security means vital records are becoming even more valuable in proving you are who you say you are," Smith continued. "The robust and convenient system VitalChek has built for obtaining vital records is key to meeting this increased demand." "We built VitalChek on the theory that technology would fundamentally change the way citizens obtain records from the government agencies that maintain them," said Herb and Michael Barrett of VitalChek. "We wanted to build a system that made it easier for government officials to fulfill their duties and was convenient for the consumer to obtain their records.
"Joining ChoicePoint allows us to continue our efforts on behalf of our customers and employees. Our customers – state and local governments – get the benefit of ChoicePoint's ability to help ensure only authorized individuals can obtain vital records – a major issue facing government today – as well as the other products, services and development capabilities of an industry leader. Our employees will enjoy the benefits of being part of a larger organization, one that is recognized as being a great place to work as well as a company with the financial and technology resources to take our organization to the next level."
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