To preserve vital records and other original documents, the State Registrar is authorized to prepare typewritten, photographic, electronic, or other reproductions of certificates or reports and files in the section of vital statistics. When verified and approved by the State Registrar, the reproductions shall be accepted as the original records, and the documents from which permanent reproductions have been made may be disposed of as provided by legislative rule or other provisions of state law.
W. Va. Code § 16-5-26