Maryland Affidavit to Change the Name of the Child Within Twelve Months of Birth
Official state formLegal name changeFree downloadLast verified November 10, 2026
Notarized affidavit that parents use to change a child's name on the birth certificate within the first 12 months after birth. It goes to the Division of Vital Records. Later changes require a court order.
Who can use this form
- Both parents named on the birth certificate
- If only one parent is named on the certificate, only that parent
- The child must be within the first 12 months after birth
What to send with it
- Affidavit signed by the parent or parents before a notary public
- Written request from both parents, or from the only parent named on the certificate
- Your existing copy of the birth certificate, if you have one; a corrected copy is sent back
- The office does not accept scratch-outs or white-outs on the document
Where to send it
- Mail to
- Division of Vital Records 6764B Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215-2304
- State fee
- The form prints a $10.00 fee for any change if the person is over one year old. The office's fees page lists no cost for corrections within the first year.
- Typical processing
- About 10 weeks for corrections, according to the office's processing times page
- Form revision
- Rev. 10/2020
- Source
- Official government page