A birth certificate is one of the most important documents in anyone’s life. It serves as legal proof of your existence and citizenship. People typically need to present this document for many purposes, such as getting married or obtaining an education. A birth certificate is also often required to receive a driver’s license or passport.
But what should you do if the information on this document isn’t correct? If that’s the case, don’t worry. How do you correct a birth certificate? At first, it may initially seem confusing. Fortunately, it’s fairly straightforward. You’re definitely not the only person who’s wondered how to fix a birth certificate mistake.
Errors on these documents can happen when a parent provides the wrong information or a person records it incorrectly. Another reason people must correct a birth certificate is to reflect a recent voluntary name change.
So, how do you amend a birth certificate? Thankfully, the process is simple. Here’s how to do it.
Understand All Guidelines
How do you correct a birth certificate? The first step in this process is to obtain information from the state you were born in. Specifically, you’ll need to determine your state’s appropriate government agency (typically called an Office of Vital Records or Department of Health). These agencies are in charge of providing the guidelines you must follow. However, guidelines for how to correct a birth certificate vary based on state and government agencies.
You’ll also use these resources to find out how much it costs to receive your amended birth certificate. Prices vary by state. Expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $40 to complete your corrections. Additional payments may be a requirement if you need additional copies of these documents.
Gather Your Supporting Information
Sometimes, states and government agencies require supporting information. What you must present varies based on the corrections you seek. However, examples of such documentation can include:
- Marriage certificates
- Parents’ birth certificates
- Military discharge documents
- Results from DNA tests
- Census records
- School records
- Medical records
The appropriate Vital Records or Department of Health website should list the required supporting documents based on what information you seek to correct on your birth certificate. If you have questions or otherwise need more information, you should also be able to email or call this agency.
Knowing and clearly identifying what needs fixing is a vital step when you’re figuring out how to correct a birth certificate. For instance, correcting parental-related discrepancies may require tracking down and obtaining certified copies of their marriage or birth certificates. In other cases, a school record or baptismal certificate could serve as adequate proof.
Additionally, a Social Security card or relevant medical records can also be acceptable information regarding how to fix a birth certificate mistake.
Complete the Required Forms
After deciding how you prefer to submit your information to amend a birth certificate, you’re ready to complete your required forms. Again, form titles and contents can vary from one location to another. Knowing how to complete this step while learning how to correct a birth certificate is vital. It can also help ensure you avoid processing-related delays.
Ensure you double-check all submitted information before mailing or turning in your documents. Even a small mistake can result in a request denial.
Depending on a government agency’s workload, it could take several days or weeks to receive your updated document. Thankfully, most agencies should have contact information if enough time passes without an update or corrected birth certificate.
You may also be able to utilize a tracking option (if you choose to receive it by mail) or an online portal to keep you informed about the status and location of your updated document.
Confirm Your Corrected Birth Certificate
After submitting your information and confirming everything’s accurate, you should soon receive your corrected birth certificate. However, don’t assume it’s correct. Instead, double-check your new document to ensure it reflects all requested changes.
How do you amend a birth certificate that’s still incorrect? If new or previous errors are present, contact the appropriate government agency that issued your birth certificate. It’s best to act fast if you notice errors, especially if you need this certificate back on a timely basis. You may find it helpful to have a checklist handy of what needs to be changed. If you’re still wondering how to correct a birth certificate in the case of repeated errors, contacting the agency directly or consulting their online resources can help resolve lingering issues.
Order Your Certified Copies Through VRO (Vital Records Online)
Correcting a birth certificate is a vital and sometimes time-dependent matter. Fortunately, following the steps mentioned above should easily guide you through this process. Then, you can have peace of mind knowing that such an important document is up-to-date and accurate.
Simplify getting these crucial documents by choosing Vital Records Online. Our trusted records experts take the confusion and time required to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. We can do the same for death, divorce, and marriage records. Say goodbye to complicated paperwork and long times spent waiting in lines.