How To Change Name on Birth Certificate?
For parents of younger children, for many older children and young adults, and for transgender individuals or anyone undergoing a legal name change, updating the name listed on your birth certificate is often an important part of the process. Most adults don’t bother updating their birth certificate following a legal name change. Birth certificates establish legal identification used for many purposes.
The process does vary by state. But these general steps provide an overview of how to change the name on your birth certificate:
Review State Laws
Every state has its own laws and court procedures for amending birth certificates. Consult your state health department website for specifics or call the vital records office to understand exact requirements. Some key questions:
- Is a court order legally changing your name required first?
- What forms and applications must be submitted?
- What documents are required to amend for name and gender changes?
- What fees apply for amendments?
- How long does the process take in that state?
- Who is allowed to submit a request?
Follow proper protocols from the start to avoid delays.
Gather Documents
Typical documentation needed includes:
- Certified court order approving your legal name change.
- Completed health department forms and applications as specified by your state.
- You may be able to find and fill them out online.
- Original birth certificate showing old name.
- Proof of identity like a driver’s license or passport in your new legal name.
- Any additional items required like a notarized verification.
Having all materials ready ensures a complete submission.
Complete Application
Fill out all state forms and applications entirely and accurately. Leave no blanks if possible. Follow all formatting instructions precisely.
Sign all paperwork. Get notarization if required. Pay required fees along with submission. Double check that all details match your court approved name change document.
Submit to Proper Authority
Each state handles birth certificate amendments differently:
- Some require mailing applications to the health department.
- Others mandate applying in person at agency offices.
- Major cities may have separate vital records offices to handle applications.
- In some states, the court ordering your name change submits updates directly.
Send applications and orders only to the specific office designated by your state to avoid processing mishaps.
Allow Processing Time
Once properly submitted, amending birth certificates takes anywhere from several weeks to 5 months or more depending on agency workloads. Avoid plans depending on getting the updated birth certificate quickly.
If needed sooner, expedited processing options do exist for added fees in some states.
Check Application Status
After submitting your application, check in periodically on the status either online or via phone until you receive confirmation the change is complete. This way you can learn if problems have arisen and resolve them more quickly.
Contact the office if anything seems amiss or the new certificate is not received by the estimated timeline. Politely ask pointed questions about the timing and remaining steps to finish.
Update Other Documents
Once you have an amended birth certificate, if you haven’t already, use it to revise your name on any other documents like passports, driver’s licenses, or social security cards.
To avoid too many questions or delays when presenting your ID from now on,, work to get your new name printed exactly to match your court order throughout all of your all aspects of your identity documents and account records. Maintaining copies of the amended birth certificate provides fundamental proof.
With some persistence and patience navigating state procedures, you can obtain an official birth certificate reflecting your true name and identity.
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