How Do I Change a Mistake Made in a Birth Certificate?
After a child is born, typically the newborn's mother fills out a form for a birth certificate to be made. This form is brought to her while she is in the hospital. If the mother does not add the name of the father, it won't appear on the official birth certificate. In addition, other mistakes can be made by the person filing the birth certificate. If this happens, the father's name can added, and other mistakes can be fixed at a later date.
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Things You'll Need
- Office of vital statistics
- Application for correction
- Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form
- Fees
- Supporting documents
Instructions
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Visit your local Office of Vital Statistics to pick up the correct forms to be filled out. Ask the clerk for an Application for Correction form. This form is used for all mistakes made, even the addition of a name.
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Ask the clerk if you need any additional forms. For example, a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity is needed if the father and mother of the child are not married and the father wants to add his name to the birth certificate.
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Inquire while you are still in the Office of Vital Statistics about any fees that will need to be handed in with the Application for Correction form.
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Get a list of documents you must submit with your form and fee. These documents are used to prove the change is warranted. You may be asked for a marriage certificate, the child's baptism records, military records or social security records.
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Mail your forms, documents and fees to the Office of Vital Statistics. You can get the address from the office itself, or by utilizing your county's website.
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Wait 25 to 30 weeks for the birth certificate to be corrected and mailed to you.
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Tips & Warnings
Some states may require you to sign your forms in front of a notary.
References
- Photo Credit birth marriage and death image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
