Appendix 3: State Laws Relating to Changing Birth Certificates

• Author: Ally Windsor Howell
• Profession: Former practicing lawyer from Alabama
• Pages: 227-263

227

States change the costs and fees charged, especially when looking for new

revenues without raising taxes. So, call the state agency involved or visit

its website to get the fees and costs.

Alabama

Alabama will issue an amended birth certi cate. The State Registrar of

Health Statistics shall amend a birth certi cate on receipt of a certi ed

copy of a court order changing the name of the person. Upon receipt of a

certi ed copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction indicating

that the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgi-

cal procedure and that the name of the individual has been changed, the

birth certi cate shall be amended.

Documents needed:

• Certi ed copy of court order changing name

• Certi ed copy of court order as to sex change

Statutes and Regulations: A. C § 22–9A-19 and A. A. C

Rule 420–7–1-.16

State Agency Contact Information:

Alabama State Board of Health

Center for Health Statistics

P.O. Box 5625

Montgomery, AL 36103–5625

State Laws Relating to

Changing Birth Certi cates

APPENDIX 3

how50368_15_App3_p227_p264.indd 227how50368_15_App3_p227_p264.indd 227 19/03/15 12:29 PM19/03/15 12:29 PM

228

(334) 206–5418

http://www.adph.org/vitalrecords/index.asp?id=1559

Alaska

Upon receipt of a certi ed copy of a court order changing the name of a

person born in the state or a person born outside the United States whose

adoptive parents are residents of the state at the time of the adoption and

upon request of the person or the person’s parent, guardian, or legal repre-

sentative, the state registrar shall amend the birth certi cate to re ect the

new name.

Documents needed:

• Certi ed copy of court order

Statutes and Regulations: A S. § 18.50.290 and A A.

C tit. 7, § 05.900

State Agency Contact Information:

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Bureau of Vital Statistics

5441 Commercial Boulevard

Juneau, AK 99801

(907) 465–3391

http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/VitalStats/Pages/default.aspx

Arizona

Arizona will change both the name and sex and will issue a new birth cer-

ti cate rather than amend the old one. The original certi cate is closed to

further inspection.

Documents needed:

• An original letter from the SRS surgeon

• Original or certi ed copy of the court order for your name change

Statutes and Regulations: A. R. S. A. §§ 36–323 and 36–337

and A. A. C § R9–19–118 and R9–19–413

TRA NSGENDE R PERSONS A ND TH E LAW

how50368_15_App3_p227_p264.indd 228how50368_15_App3_p227_p264.indd 228 19/03/15 12:29 PM19/03/15 12:29 PM

229

State Agency Contact Information:

Of ce of Vital Records

Arizona Dept. of Health Services

P.O. Box 3887

Phoenix, AZ 85030–3887

(602) 364–1300

http://www.azdhs.gov/vital-records/

Arkansas

Arkansas will change the name and will issue a new birth certi cate if the

court order so speci es.This certi cate shall be marked “Court Order.”

Statutes and regulations only mention changing the name on a birth cer-

ti cate, but the website of the Division of Vital Records indicates that sex

can be changed with a court order. See http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/

programsServices/certi catesVitalRecords/Pages/ChangingBirthandDeath-

Certi cates.aspx (accessed on 07/31/2011).

Documents needed:

• Court order from a court of competent jurisdiction

Statutes and Regulations: Ark. C A. § 20–18–307 and A. A.

C 007.12.1–5.6

State Agency Contact Information:

Arkansas Department of Health

Division of Vital Records

4815 West Markham Street

Slot 44

Little Rock, AR 72205

(501) 661–2336

http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certi catesVitalRe-

cords/Pages/default.aspx

California

California will change the name and will issue an amended birth certi cate.

APPENDI X 3

how50368_15_App3_p227_p264.indd 229how50368_15_App3_p227_p264.indd 229 19/03/15 12:29 PM19/03/15 12:29 PM