Amend Birth Certificate: A Step-by-Step Guide

A birth certificate is one of the most critical pieces of information used to prove your identity, which is why it's essential to ensure all details are correct.

Because of this, you'll want to ensure all listed information is accurate.

If you've legally changed your name or a mistake is present, it's imperative to update your birth certificate immediately. However, the process of amending your birth certificate varies from state to state.

State Vital Records covers all the information you need on how to amend your birth certificate in this week's post. Keep reading to find out more!

1.How to Amend Your Birth Certificate

Correcting minor errors on a birth certificate, such as misspellings or incorrect information entered by hospital staff, doesn't require a court appearance.

Who Can Request an Amendment to a Birth Certificate?

Hospitals, birth registrars, and funeral directors can request birth certificate amendments, especially in adoption cases.

The following parties can also request corrections:

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  • For births: A registrant at least 18 years of age or a minor registrant's parent or legal guardian.
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  • For marriages: A married couple can request if the marriage is still intact and both spouses are alive. If one of the spouses is deceased, the surviving spouse can make an individual request for the correction. Each spouse may request a modification or amendment if the marriage has dissolved.
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  • For deaths: the next of kin, the informant, certifier, medical examiner, or funeral director named on the death certificate
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  • For fetal deaths One of the parents, medical certifier, medical examiner, or funeral director

How Do I Request A Correction or an Amendment To a Vital Record?

To amend a birth certificate, follow these steps:

• Send a notarized affidavit to the registrar where the event took place, affirming the current information is incorrect and the new information is accurate.
• Submit supporting documentation proving the accuracy of the new information.
• Contact the Vital Records Office in the jurisdiction for details on required documentation.

2. How to Legally Change Your Name

Name changes from marriage or divorce usually don't require a birth certificate amendment. However, legal name changes need a judge's consent.

Changing a child's name

To change the name of an infant younger than 1-years-old, parents will need to send a completed and signed birth certificate correction to the local Vital Records Office where the birth occurred with the correct information.

In order to legally change the name of a child over 1-years old, parents must petition the local county court before submitting the birth certificate correction form.

Changing your own name

The process of legally changing your name depends on the state.

Some states like California require you to publish a notice of your name change petition in a local newspaper before explaining to a court the reason for requesting to change your name.

After you have submitted the document for a legal name change, you must provide the following items to the town clerk or vital record agency (in person or through the mail):

• A certified Legal Name Change court order (original can be returned upon request)
• A notarized affidavit:
  • For a minor, only a legal parent can complete the affidavit (i.e., legal guardian or listed parent)
  • For adults, only that individual can complete the affidavit
• A government-issued photo ID from the requestor

Minors cannot petition for a name change; an adult must do it for them. Some states require additional documentation, such as proof of birth date or documents for gender reassignment surgery.

No Name on Birth Certificate

If your name is not on your original birth certificate, or if you need to amend birth certificate information, you’ll need a court order to have it added.

This also includes those with the name Baby Boy/Girl or Infant Boy/Girl, and for those individuals looking to change their name or surname.

If this should happen to occur, use the following steps to update your birth certificate:

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  • Fill out the forms, process them, and pay any necessary fees.
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  • Get any documents notarized from the courthouse, city hall, or online through NotaryLive.
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  • Appear in court on the date assigned for your case hearing.
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  • Submit your court order as well as a certified copy of your birth certificate, photo ID, and the document for the name change request to a vital records office.
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• Collect additional documents such as your marriage license or a letter of explanation if necessary.

HOW STATEVITALRECORDS WORKS 

• Order online – Submit the form on State Vital Records through our online order form.
• Notarization Through NotaryLive - In terms of notarization, some states require notarization of an application or a sworn statement – because of  State Vital Records' partnership with NotaryLive, a remote online notarization platform that provides fast, secure and convenient notarization 24/7. ((Note: Keep in mind there are added fees when using NotaryLive for convenient, remote online notarization.)
  • Upload Your Document
  • VerifyYour Identity
  • Connect Online With An Online Notary
  • NotaryLive Routes Your Documents to State Vital Records Automatically

• State Vital Records – After notarization through NotaryLive,  State Vital Records will send the application to the jurisdiction. This is where the jurisdiction is responsible for the rest of the application process.
• Jurisdiction – Will complete order and mail copy of the requested vital records to you

If you require assistance in notarizing your document, please contact [email protected]. Interested in the notarization process? Click here to learn more.

Looking to order your state vital records? Click here to make a request. Have any questions, contact us!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to amend a birth certificate in California?
   • In California, the fee to amend a birth certificate is $23, plus $29 per additional certified copy. Submit required forms to the California Department of Public Health and check their website for the latest fee information.
2. How to amend a Georgia birth certificate?
   • To amend a birth certificate in Georgia: Gather necessary documents, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health for instructions, download and complete the amendment application, submit it with required fees, and follow up to receive the updated birth certificate.
3. How much does it cost to get a birth certificate in Georgia?
   • In Georgia, the first certified birth certificate copy costs $25, with additional copies at $5 each. Expedited services may incur extra fees. Payments can be made via check, money order, or credit card.

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