How to Correct a Birth Certificate in New York City
Birth certificates are important documents that people are required to provide at various points in their lives, so it should reflect accurate information. Occasionally, birth certificates may have outdated or incorrect information. In these cases, amendments to the document should be made as soon as possible. If your child's birth certificate contains an error and she was born in one of the five boroughs---Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island---the New York City Office of Vital Records can make changes on the certificate, provided that you fulfill certain requirements and submit proper paperwork.
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Things You'll Need
- Completed application form
- Original supporting documents and photo identification
- Photocopies of the original documents
- Photocopy of photo identification
- Processing fee of $40
- New certificate fee of $15
- Self-addressed, stamped envelope (for mail-in requests)
Instructions
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Confirm that you are eligible to make a change on the birth certificate in question. The NYC Office of Vital Records requires that you are at least 18 years old and named on the certificate or that you are the parent of the individual named on the certificate.
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Obtain a correction packet that includes the application form needed to make a change on the certificate and information about the entire process. See the Resources to obtain a packet online. If you cannot access the packet online, you can request one to be mailed to you by calling 311, or if you live outside of New York City, call 212-639-9675.
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Gather the original documentation and identification needed to make the changes. Certain changes will require certain documents. See the Resources for a list of supporting documents and acceptable identification. Make photocopies of all of the original documents and photo identification.
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Complete the application form in blue or black ink only.
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Submit the application form, original and photocopies of documentation, photocopy of photo identification, the $40 processing fee (if applicable) and the $15 new certificate fee (if desired) to the Office of Vital Records. See the Resources to find out if you will need to pay any fees.
Corrections may be requested via mail or in-person. If you wish to mail your request, remember to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so your documents can be returned to you. Mail all application materials and fees to
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Office of Vital Records, Corrections Unit
125 Worth Street, CN4, Room 144
New York, NY 10013If you prefer to submit your corrections in-person, bring all the application materials and fees to 125 Worth Street, Room 144. Use the Lafayette Street or Center Street entrances since the Worth Street entrance is for employees only.
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Tips & Warnings
Checks or money orders are the accepted forms of payment for the $40 processing fee. Make the check or money order payable to NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Wait up to six weeks for the processing to be complete.
The NYC Office of Vital Records only issues and corrects birth certificates of people born in New York City's five boroughs. If you need to make a correction on a birth certificate for someone born outside of New York City, changes can only be made through the New York State Department of Health.
References
Resources
- NYC DOHMH, Office of Vital Records: Application Form
- NYC DOHMH, Office of Vital Records: Supporting Documentation
- NYC DOHMH, Office of Vital Records: Photo Identification Requirements
- NYC DOHMH, Office of Vital Records: How to Add Another Parent's Name
- NYC DOHMH, Office of Vital Records: Fee Schedule
- Photo Credit birth marriage and death image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
