True or False: Copies of vital records issued under the official seal have the same legal force as the original.

The statement that copies of vital records issued under the official seal have the same legal force as the original is false. In most jurisdictions, including Delaware, while copies of vital records that bear the official seal are considered certified copies and have specific legal implications, they do not carry the same weight as the original document. The original document is often required to establish identity, lineage, or for legal purposes such as marriage, divorce, or citizenship applications.

Certified copies are generally accepted for many legal purposes, such as verifying identity or obtaining government benefits, but they may not be sufficient for all legal circumstances. Additionally, there can be nuances based on the type of document, its intended use, and specific local laws or regulations that might dictate the requirements for original versus certified copies. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the context in which these documents are utilized.