Amending Birth Certificates

You can ask us to amend (officially update or fix) the birth record for births that happened in Washington State from July 1, 1907, to today.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Center for Health Statistics Office adopted Policy Statement CHS-B8-2023 (PDF) that describes the requirements for a complete application to change or correct a birth certificate using the Affidavit for Correction form. The policy follows the department rules in WAC 246-490 and the state law in chapter 70.58A RCW.

Note: The process below doesn't include adoptions, parentage, sex designation change, court-order legal name change, or surrogacy.

Who Can Ask for an Amendment

Only certain people can ask to amend a birth certificate, and it depends on the age of the person whose birth certificate you want fixed.

If the person on the certificate is a minor (under 18):

• Parents listed on the certificate.
• Legal guardians – must provide certified court order of guardianship.

If the person on the certificate is an adult (18 or older or legally emancipated):

• Adult child listed on the certificate.
• Legal guardians – must provide certified court order of guardianship.

Note: Facilities and medical practitioners must use a separate correction process.

Applications

To apply for a birth certificate amendment, fill out an application and mail it to us. Please follow all directions on this webpage to prevent delays or having your application denied.

Note: There are different applications for amendments to birth, death, marriage, divorce, and stillbirth, also known as fetal death, certificates. This is an update to our process as of November 4, 2026, when we replaced the Affidavit for Correction (form DOH 422-034) with individual amendment application forms based on the certificate type.

Application Contents

Every application must include:

• Completed Application to Amend a Birth Certificate (PDF).
• Copy of your government-issued photo ID to prove who you are.
• Supporting proof documents for the amendment you want made.
• Proof that you qualify to request the amendment, if required.

Tip: You can use 1 document for more than one reason. For example, your passport can prove who you are and give the information needed to update the record.

Proof of Identity

Everyone who signs the application must send a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID. The ID is used to confirm two things:

• That you are who you say you are.
• Support your proof that you qualify to amend the certificate you are trying to fix.

You can use a standard driver’s license or ID card to prove your identity only.

Prove You Qualify

You must prove you qualify to request the amendment by showing us how you are linked to the person whose birth certificate you want to amend.

How to Prove I Qualify

You can prove you qualify to request an amendment using legal documents that show how you are linked to the person whose vital record you want to update. Birth and marriage certificates, along with court orders, are the most commonly used documents to show you qualify.

We also match your ID with documents that show you qualify to make sure you are who you say you are. If your name on your photo ID does not match your documents that prove you qualify, please also include a proof of your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or certified court order for a legal name change.

Review the list below for how you are linked to the person whose certificate you want to amend for examples of how you can prove you qualify.

Adult Child and Parents Listed on the Certificate

You are a named person on the birth record and can prove you qualify by providing your photo ID. Your name on the birth certificate should match your ID, if not additional proof may be required.

Legally emancipated minors must submit a certified copy of the court order granting emancipation status.

What do I do when my name on my ID doesn’t match the certificate?

You must show us how your name changed. Examples of items to include are a certified copy of the court order for a legal name change or a marriage certificate.

I am a parent who changed my last name to the other parent’s last name or added the other parent’s last name to my last name. How do I prove my name has changed?

When your last name matches the other parent’s last name on the certificate or is added to your last name on the certificate, we can use the names on the certificate and your ID to confirm you qualify.

Note: To avoid delays, consider providing your proof of name change documents, such as a marriage certificate or court order for a legal name change, with your application.

What if my name doesn’t match because that is what I’m trying to fix?

If you are trying to fix your name, we will use the documents you submit and your ID to link you to the record.

Legal Guardians

You can prove you qualify by providing a certified copy of the court order that names you as guardian of the person.

Note: Your name on the court order should match your ID, or other proof that you qualify may be required.

Supporting Proof Documents

What a Supporting Proof Document Does

A supporting proof document proves the amendment you want made. Because we need to link the amendment to the person, proof documents must show the full name and date of birth for the person whose information you want to amend.

We commonly use “proof documents” to mean the same as “supporting proof documents.”

Rules for Proof Documents

Your proof documents must meet these rules:

• Show the true facts you want to update.
• Match your application request exactly. For example, if you want a name to say “Mary Ann Doe,” your document must say “Mary Ann Doe.” It cannot say “Mary A. Doe” or “M. Ann Doe.”
• Come from different sources if you need more than 1 proof document. For example, if you need 2 documents, one can be a vital record certificate and the other can be a medical record.
• Cannot be altered. We will not accept any document that looks like it was changed or edited, such as scratched-out text, different fonts, or use of white out.

The State Registrar may ask for more proof documents if they have questions about your documents.

How Old the Proof Document Must Be

The document must be at least 5 years old or created in the first 5 years of the person’s life.

Note: It is okay if a document was printed recently, as long as it shows the record itself was created at least 5 years ago.

Exceptions to the 5-year Rule

We can accept these documents no matter when they were created:

• Passport
• Permanent resident card (I-551)
• Certificate of Naturalization
• REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card

Acceptable Proof Documents

Some examples of what we can accept include:

• Passport
• Enhanced driver’s license or ID card (REAL ID compliant)
• Birth, marriage, or divorce certificate
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Permanent resident card (I-551)
• Military record (DD-214)
• Hospital or medical record
• Health or life insurance policy
• Official school transcripts
• Government benefit record (such as Medicaid or social services)
• Social Security Abstract
• Full Numident Report (from the Social Security Administration via FOIA request)

We do NOT accept:

• Driver’s license or ID card that is not REAL ID compliant
• Social Security card
• Hospital decorative birth certificate
• Family Bible

Documents in a Foreign Language

For proof documents in a language other than English or Spanish, we recommend you include an English translation, from a translation service, attached to the original document. Ask the translation service to include a signed statement that the translation is complete and accurate.

Rules to Amend a Minor Child’s Certificate Information (under 18) 

The list below shows what can be amended, the number of proof documents needed, and who must sign the application.

Notes:

• We cannot amend original signatures or confidential portions of the birth record.
• We cannot make stylistic changes to certificates.
•  A legal guardian may make the same changes as a parent with a certified copy of the legal guardianship document. We do not accept standard custody papers.
• An emancipated minor with certified court documents is treated as an adult. See the section below, Rules to Amend an Adult’s Birth Certificate Information (18 or older).

Last Name (Surname)

Fix Spelling to Match a Listed Parent

Proof documents needed: None

Rules:

• The parent’s name must be correct on the certificate.
• If you requested the child's name change through an Acknowledgement of Parentage before 2019 using boxes 9, 10, or 11, you must use a court order to fix the spelling.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Add or Delete a Hyphen (-) or Space

Proof documents needed: None

Rules:

• You can add or delete a hyphen or space in the last name.
• You cannot put a hyphen between a middle name and a last name.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Change to One or Both Parent’s Last Names

Proof documents needed: None

Rules:

• The child must be under the age of 1, or up to 1 year after filing an Acknowledgment of Parentage.
• You can only change the name once using this process.
• The request must match 1 or both parents’ last names listed on the certificate.

Who signs the application? 

• All parents listed on the certificate.
• If 1 parent has died, send a copy of their death certificate instead of their signature.

First or Middle Names

Add or Change

Proof documents needed: None

Rules: You cannot add or change a name with this process if a court order was used for an adoption, parentage, or legal name change.

Who signs the application?

• All parents listed on the certificate.
• If 1 parent has died, send a copy of their death certificate instead of their signature.

Fix Spelling

Proof documents needed: None

Rules: You cannot fix the spelling with this process if a court order was used for an adoption, parentage, or legal name change.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Date of Birth

Fix a Mistake (Child is under age 1)

Choose one option to fix the mistake:

• Option A: Contact the hospital or birth facility where the birth took place or contact the certified midwife who helped with the birth. They will send the request using the facility correction process.
• Option B: Send your request to us using the process below for child over age 1.

Fix a Mistake (Child is over age 1)

Proof documents needed - Choose one option:

• Option A: Send 1 proof document (a copy of the hospital or medical record of the birth).
• Option B: Send 2 proof documents (neither is the hospital or medical record from the birth facility).

Rules for both options: We will not change the date of birth to a date that is after the birth was registered.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Time of Birth, Place of Birth, Facility Name

Fix a Mistake (Child is under age 1)

Choose one option to fix the mistake:

• Option A: Contact the hospital, birth facility, or certified midwife who helped with the birth. They will use the facility correction process. 
• Option B: Send your request to us using the process below for child over age 1.

Fix a Mistake (Child is over age 1)

Proof documents needed: 1

Rules: The proof document must be a copy of the hospital or medical birth record.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Sex Designation

Important: This process is only to fix a mistake in the child’s sex assigned at birth. Do NOT use this process if you are changing the child’s sex. Changing a minor child’s sex on their birth certificate requires a medical provider’s signature.

Fix the Sex Assigned at Birth (Male, Female, Undetermined)

Proof documents needed: 1

Rules: The proof document must be a copy of a hospital or medical record.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Parent’s Information – Name, Date of Birth, or Place of Birth 

Fix a Mistake

Proof documents needed: 1

Note: The birth parent’s name should match how it appears on their own birth certificate.

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Parent Labels

Update Parent Labels

Proof documents needed: None

Rules:

• If this is the only update, call 360-236-4300 to talk with an amendment specialist.
• If you are making other updates at the same time, include this request by listing the wrong item as “parent labels,” then tell us what is on the certificate now and what you want the certificate to show: “Mother and Father” or “Parent and Parent.”

Who signs the application? At least 1 parent listed on the certificate.

Social Security Card

Important: This option is only for the person who gave birth, and the child must be under age 1 when we update our official record. This is a Social Security Administration (SSA) rule. If your child is over age 1, contact the SSA directly.

If you did not request a Social Security card when your child was born, you can ask for one now using our amendment form. Please note, this information does not appear on the certificate.

Proof documents required: None

Rules:

• Use the Application to Amend a Birth Certificate (PDF). Write “SSA card” for the wrong item, “No” for the certificate now shows, and “Yes” for the certificate should show. Note, this information will not appear on the amended certificate.
• The SSA will mail the card to the person who gave birth. If your address has changed since the birth, include your address as an item to update on the amendment application.

Who signs the applications?

• Only the person who gave birth can sign this request.
• The other parent can sign if you are asking for other updates that require their signature.

Rules to Amend an Adult’s Birth Certificate Information (18 and older)

The list below tells you what can be amended and the number of proof documents needed with the application.

Notes:

• We cannot amend original signatures or confidential portions of the birth record.
• We cannot make stylistic changes to certificates.
• A legal guardian may make the same changs as the adult child with a certified copy of the legal guardian document.
• An emancipated minor with certified court documents is treated as an adult.

Last Name (Surname)

Add or Remove a Hyphen (-) or Space

Proof documents needed: None

Rules:

• You can only add or remove a hyphen to your last name.
• You cannot put a hyphen between a middle name and a last name.

Fix a Spelling Mistake

Proof documents needed: 2

Move Your Middle Name to Your Last Name (Surname)

Proof documents needed: 2

Rules:

• You must have been born on or before June 30, 1998.
• Your middle name will become the first part of your new last name.
• If you have more than 1 middle name, you can only move the middle name that comes right before your last name.

First or Middle Names

Important: This process is only to fix mistakes or add missing names. Do NOT use this process if you want to choose a new name. Changing your legal name requires a court order.

Fix a Spelling Mistake

Proof documents needed: 2

Add a Missing First or Middle Name

Proof documents needed: 3

Rules: Use this option only if your name was not registered when you were born. For example, your birth certificate lists a placeholder name instead of your real name, such as “Baby Boy,” “Baby Girl,” or ‘Unnamed.”

Date of Birth

Fix a Mistake

Proof documents needed: 2

Rules: We will not change the date of birth to a date that is after your birth was registered.

Time of Birth

Fix a Mistake

Proof documents needed: 1

Rules:

• Your proof document must be a copy of the hospital record from when you were born.
• You cannot add the time of birth if you were born between 1949 to 1967. The state did not collect time of birth during those years.

Location of Birth or Facility Name

Fix a Mistake – Birth in a Hospital or Birth Facility

Proof documents needed: 1

Rules: Your proof document must be one of the following:

• A copy of the hospital or birth facility record from when you were born.
• A document from the licensed midwife who helped with your birth.

Fix a Mistake – Birth in a Home Without Medical Help

Proof documents needed: 2

Sex Designation

Important: This process is only to fix a mistake for your sex assigned at birth. Do NOT use this process if you are changing your sex. Changing your sex as an adult requires a notary public to witness your signature. 

Fix Your Sex Assigned at Birth (Male, Female, Undetermined)

Proof documents needed: 1

Rules: Your proof document must be a copy of a hospital or medical record.

Your Parent’s Information – Name, Date of Birth, or Place of Birth

Fix a Mistake

Proof documents needed: 1

Note: The birth parent’s last name should match how it appears on their own birth certificate.

Parent Labels

Update Parent Labels

Proof documents needed: None

Rules:

• If this is the only update, call 360-236-4300 to talk with an amendment specialist.
• If you are making other update at the same time, include this request by listing the wrong item as “parent labels,” then tell us what is on the certificate now and what you want the certificate to show: “Mother and Father” or “Parent and Parent.”

Submit the Amendment Application

You can submit your completed application to the Department of Health by mail or in-person.

By Mail

Center for Health Statistics
Attn: Amendments
PO Box 47814
Olympia, WA  98504-7814

In Person by Appointment

Schedule An Appointment for Vital Records - You must schedule the appointment and come to our office in Tumwater for these in-person appointments.

Getting the New Certificate After Finishing the Amendment

We do not automatically send out new certificates after an amendment. We will mail you a confirmation letter that the amendment was made with next steps for ordering a certificate.

You can exchange or order a certificate at the same time as you ask for an amendment by sending both in the same envelope. Your ID and proof that you qualify used for the amendment can also be used to exchange or order certificates. We will mail new certificates after the amendment is made.

Note: If you do not send the amendment and certificate requests in the same envelope, we cannot guarantee the amendment will happen first.

Free Exchange - Certificate Issued Less Than 1 Year Ago

If the certificate was issued by a Washington state or county health department within the last year, we will exchange it for free. The issue date is usually found in the upper right corner of the certificate.

Send us the certificates to exchange with the amendment application.

Order and Pay - Certificate Issued Over 1 Year Ago

If the certificate was issued more than a year ago, you must buy a new one.

Send us a completed Birth Certificate Order Form (PDF) and payment with the amendment application. Make sure to use the updated information on the order form and follow the instructions to avoid delays.

Questions

Contact us at 360-236-4300 or VitalRecordsCorrections@doh.wa.gov.