West Virginia Code Chapter 16. Public Health § 16-5-20. Delayed registration of death

(a) When a death occurring in this state has not been registered within the time period described by section nineteen of this article, a certificate of death may be filed subject to evidentiary documentation and other requirements as prescribed by legislative rule.

(b) If the required evidentiary documentation is not filed with the application for a delayed registration of death or the State Registrar has cause to question the validity or adequacy of the evidentiary documentation, the State Registrar may not register the delayed certificate of death and shall advise the applicant of his or her right to seek an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) A certificate of death registered one year or more after the date of death shall be marked “Delayed” and shall show on its face the date of the delayed registration.