Final answer:
Short term temporary copies of birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates are typically kept for a certain period of time before they are permanently stored.
Step-by-step explanation:
In most states, short term temporary copies of birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates are typically kept for a certain period of time before they are permanently stored. The length of time can vary depending on the state, but it is usually around 3 to 7 years.
For example, in California, short term temporary copies of marriage certificates are kept for 3 years from the date of registration. After this period, the certificates are transferred to the California Department of Public Health where they are permanently maintained.
Similarly, in New York, short term temporary copies of birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates are kept for 7 years before they are transferred to the New York State Department of Health.