Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

Information only, not legal advice.

State Directory

Update Birth Certificate

Updated: September 2026

Alabama

For a birth recorded in Alabama, send a request for a court-ordered name change to the Center for Health Statistics.

What You Need

  • Completed Application to Change an Alabama Birth or Death Certificate
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Copy of acceptable ID, as listed in the application
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail your request to the Birth Amendments unit at the address in the amendment packet. Call 334-206-2637 if you need help with your court order.

Fees

  • $20 to amend the record, including one certified copy
  • $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
  • $15 more for optional expedited processing

Links & Forms

Alaska

For a birth recorded in Alaska, start with the Special Services Unit. The unit provides the forms and instructions for your name-change request.

What You Need

  • Original or certified legal documents requested by Special Services
  • Completed forms provided by Special Services
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Email [email protected] to request instructions. Follow the unit’s directions for submitting your court documents. Documents with original signatures cannot be sent by fax or email.

Fees

  • $60 for a legal name change or record amendment, including one certificate

Links & Forms

Arizona

For a birth recorded in Arizona, an adult name change requires a certified court order. The correction affidavit is part of the request; it does not replace the court order.

What You Need

  • Completed birth certificate application or a letter identifying your birth record and the requested change
  • Completed correction or amendment affidavit, signed in front of a notary
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Copy of the front and back of acceptable government-issued photo ID, or a notarized application or letter
  • Payment of the receiving office’s fees

How to Apply

  • Contact the Arizona Bureau of Vital Records or an authorized county office for submission instructions and fees. County services may depend on the year of birth.

Links & Forms

Arkansas

For a birth recorded in Arkansas, a legal name change requires a court order. Contact Arkansas Vital Records to arrange the amendment.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Your request to change the name on your birth record

How to Apply

  • Use the Arkansas Department of Health’s Certificates & Records page and select “Change or Amend a Birth or Death Certificate.” Ask Vital Records for the forms, payment, and submission instructions for your court order.

Links & Forms

California

For a birth recorded in California, use Form VS 23 to record a court-ordered name change.

What You Need

  • Completed Form VS 23
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Notarized sworn statement, Form VS 20, if requesting an authorized certified copy
  • Check or money order

How to Apply

  • Mail your packet to CDPH–Vital Records at the address in Form VS 23. Use the name exactly as it appears in your court order.

Fees

  • $26 to amend the record, including one amended copy
  • Use the current fee schedule for additional copies

Links & Forms

Colorado

For a birth recorded in Colorado, request a court-ordered name change through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order

How to Apply

  • Contact Colorado Vital Records through the birth certificate changes page for the current correction form, ID requirements, fees, and submission instructions for your name-change request.

Links & Forms

Connecticut

For a birth recorded in Connecticut, submit your adult name-change request to the town clerk in the town where you were born.

What You Need

  • Completed “My Name Change Affidavit,” signed in front of a notary
  • Original certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Government-issued photo ID

How to Apply

  • Submit the documents in person or by mail to the town clerk. You must sign the affidavit for your own adult name change. The court order can be returned if you request it.

Fees

  • No fee to amend the record
  • A certified copy costs extra; ask the town clerk for the copy fee

Links & Forms

Delaware

For a birth recorded in Delaware, ask the Office of Vital Statistics to amend the record after your legal name change.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Your request to change the name on your birth record

How to Apply

  • Contact the Office of Vital Statistics for the application, identification, payment, and delivery instructions that apply to your request.

Links & Forms

District of Columbia

For a birth recorded in DC, mail your name-change amendment request to the DC Health Vital Records Division.

What You Need

  • Completed Amendment to Birth Record (Court Order) form
  • Original or certified name-change court order
  • Clear copies of the identity documents required by DC Health’s current identity guidelines
  • Payment for the amendment and any certificate copies

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to the address on DC Health’s amendment page. Name-change orders from other jurisdictions do not need to be transferred to DC Superior Court for this purpose.

Links & Forms

Florida

For a birth recorded in Florida, the steps depend on where the name-change order was issued.

What You Need

  • For a Florida court order: confirm that the court clerk sent the certified name-change report to the Bureau of Vital Statistics
  • For an order from another state: certified copy of the court order
  • For an order from another state: completed Application for Amendment to Florida Birth Record
  • For an order from another state: copy of valid photo ID
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • If a Florida court changed your name, check with the Bureau after the clerk sends the report. If another state’s court changed your name, send your application packet to the Bureau using its instructions.

Fees

  • $20 for the name-change amendment, including one certification

Updated Certificate

The name-change report is attached to the original birth record.

Links & Forms

Georgia

For a birth recorded in Georgia, send your legal name-change documents to the State Office of Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Original court order or a certified copy with the court seal

How to Apply

  • Contact the State Office of Vital Records for the amendment application, ID requirements, and fees for your court order. The office keeps the court order in its file, so obtain another certified copy if you need one for other uses.

Fees

  • $10 amendment fee
  • $25 for the first certified copy
  • $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time

Links & Forms

Hawaii

For a birth recorded in Hawaii, contact the Corrections Section before sending your name-change request.

What You Need

  • Name-change decree and supporting documents requested by the Corrections Section

How to Apply

  • Call 808-586-4541 for the forms and instructions for your case. Hawaii may use a name-change decree issued through the Lieutenant Governor’s office; a petition alone does not show that your name change was approved.

Fees

  • $3 to amend a certificate in most cases
  • Certified copies cost extra

Links & Forms

Idaho

For a birth recorded in Idaho, use the court-ordered name-change packet.

What You Need

  • Completed court-ordered name-change application
  • Certified copy of your court order showing your old name, new name, and date of birth
  • Copy of acceptable ID
  • Notarized “one and the same person” affidavit, if the court order does not include your date of birth
  • Legal Action and Certificate Request Form, if ordering an updated copy
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to Idaho Vital Records, Attn: Legal Amendments, at the address in the instructions.

Fees

  • $20 to process the name change
  • $16 for each certified copy
  • $25 more for optional rush processing

Links & Forms

Illinois

For a birth recorded in Illinois, mail your name-change request to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Completed Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request, signed in front of a notary
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Copy of unexpired government-issued photo ID
  • Check or money order

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to the Division of Vital Records at the address on the form. Ask the division whether it needs any additional documents for your request.

Fees

  • $15 for the correction request
  • $2 for each additional copy requested with the correction

Links & Forms

Indiana

For a birth recorded in Indiana, a legal name change requires a court order.

What You Need

  • Court order approving your legal name change

How to Apply

  • Call Indiana Department of Health Vital Records at 317-233-2700. Staff will direct you to the amendment specialist and provide the documents and payment instructions for your request.

Links & Forms

Iowa

For a birth recorded in Iowa, the court clerk sends the legal name-change paperwork to Iowa HHS.

What You Need

  • Completed Abstract to Change Registrant’s Legal Name on Birth Certificate, Form 470-5446
  • Certified copy of your name-change decree
  • Check or money order for the required fees
  • Previously issued certificate, if requesting a free replacement instead of buying a copy

How to Apply

  • Give the abstract and payment to the Clerk of District Court for certification and forwarding. If your order is from outside Iowa, contact the Bureau of Health Statistics for instructions.

Fees

  • $15 to record the name change
  • $20 for each certified copy, or a free replacement when you return a previously issued certificate with the request

Updated Certificate

The record shows both the former and new names, with a statement about the court order and its date.

Links & Forms

Kansas

For a birth recorded in Kansas, use the legal name-change instructions for adult birth certificates.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Cover letter explaining the name change you want recorded
  • Completed Amendment Request Form, signed in front of a notary
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to Kansas Office of Vital Statistics, Attn: Amendment Unit, at the address in the form. Call 785-296-1434 if your situation is not covered.

Fees

  • $40 for the filing fee and one certified copy
  • $20 for each additional certified copy

Links & Forms

Kentucky

For a birth recorded in Kentucky, use Form VS-2J to request the name change.

What You Need

  • Completed VS-2J affidavit, signed in front of a notary
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Any additional documents requested by the Office of Vital Statistics

How to Apply

  • Mail the documents to the Office of Vital Statistics at the address in Form VS-2J. If you need a new certified copy, ask the office about the copy fee or whether you can return a copy issued within the past year for replacement.

Links & Forms

Louisiana

For a birth recorded in Louisiana, the Vital Records Registry reviews the court documents before approving the name change.

What You Need

  • Completed Application to Amend
  • Certified copies of the name-change judgment, petition, and district attorney’s answer for an adult Louisiana court-ordered name change
  • Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Original birth certificate, or the additional search fee if you cannot provide it
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to the Registry’s Amendments Department at the address on the amendment page. If your order was issued outside Louisiana, contact the Registry before applying.

Fees

  • $27.50 to amend the record, including one certified copy
  • $9 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
  • $15 additional search fee if you cannot provide the original certificate

Links & Forms

Maine

For a birth recorded in Maine, submit your legal name change directly to Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS).

What You Need

  • Original attested name-change court order
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Submit the request directly to DRVS using the options on its Court Orders page. An appointment is required for an in-person visit. Ask DRVS whether it needs a VS-14 request in your case.

Fees

  • $60 for a court-order amendment

Links & Forms

Maryland

For a birth recorded in Maryland, request the name change through the Division of Vital Records. An adult legal name change requires a court order.

What You Need

  • Court order approving your name change
  • Birth-record amendment request identifying the change
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Contact the Division of Vital Records through its Birth Certificate Corrections page for the affidavit and court-order submission instructions. The division reviews your request and tells you if it needs additional information.

Fees

  • $10 amendment fee
  • $10 certificate fee

Links & Forms

Massachusetts

Massachusetts generally does not change a birth record solely because of a later legal name change. A court order changing your name does not, by itself, qualify for this amendment.

How to Apply

  • Contact the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics Amendment Unit at 617-740-2674 or [email protected] if you need to correct an error in the original record or ask about another eligible amendment. Changing the name together with a sex designation uses a separate process.

Links & Forms

Michigan

For a birth recorded in Michigan, use the application to correct or change a birth record and select “Court ordered legal name change.”

What You Need

  • Completed, signed application
  • Court order approving your legal name change
  • Copy of acceptable, valid government-issued ID
  • Check or money order

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to Vital Records Changes at the address on the application. Call 517-335-8660 if the office requests additional supporting documents. Original documents are not returned.

Fees

  • $50 application fee, including one copy
  • $16 for each additional certified copy
  • $25 more for optional rush processing

Updated Certificate

For an adult name change, the record normally shows the original and new names. A court order directing the registrar to create a new certificate and seal the original can change that.

Links & Forms

Minnesota

For a birth recorded in Minnesota, an adult must request their own court-ordered name amendment through the Minnesota Department of Health.

What You Need

  • Completed Birth Record Amendment Request, signed in front of a notary
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Send the request to MDH using the amendment packet’s instructions. County vital records offices do not process birth-record amendments.

Fees

  • $40 amendment fee
  • $26 for an updated birth certificate

Updated Certificate

The certificate notes which part of the name changed, the amendment date, and the supporting document.

Links & Forms

Mississippi

For a birth recorded in Mississippi, the rules for a legal name change differ from the rules for correcting a mistake.

What You Need

  • Certified Mississippi chancery court order approving the legal name change
  • Payment of the required fee

How to Apply

  • Contact Mississippi Vital Records for the court-order submission instructions and current fee. Ask the office about your next steps if your order was issued outside Mississippi. The factual-correction affidavit is a separate process.

Updated Certificate

The birth name stays on the record. The legal name change is added as a notation with its legal authority and date.

Links & Forms

Missouri

For a birth recorded in Missouri, request the legal name change through the Bureau of Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Signed cover letter explaining the requested change
  • Payment
  • Certificate application and its required identification, if ordering an updated copy

How to Apply

  • Mail the request to the Bureau of Vital Records at the address on the amendment page. The court order must identify the birth record to be changed.

Fees

  • $15 to process the court-ordered change
  • $15 for a certified copy

Links & Forms

Montana

For a birth recorded in Montana, mail your name-change documents to the Office of Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Original certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Photocopy of valid photo ID; it may show your old or new name
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the documents to Office of Vital Records, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604.

Fees

  • $41 total: $25 processing fee and $16 for the updated certificate

Links & Forms

Nebraska

For a birth recorded in Nebraska, request the name change through DHHS Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Request identifying your birth certificate and asking for the new name to be recorded

How to Apply

  • Contact Vital Records at 402-471-2871 to confirm whether to use the Application for Amendment and how to submit your court order, ID, and payment. The general amendment form requires a notarized signature.

Fees

  • $17 for each certified copy; ask Vital Records to confirm the separate legal name-change processing fee

Links & Forms

Nevada

For a birth recorded in Nevada, use the application for a court-ordered change.

What You Need

  • Completed Application for a Correction of a Record—Court Ordered Change Only
  • Certified copy of your court order showing your old and new full names
  • Copy of identification
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Attn: Corrections, at the address on the form.

Fees

  • $45 per person, including the change and one certified copy
  • $25 for each additional copy

Links & Forms

New Hampshire

For a birth recorded in New Hampshire, ask the city or town clerk to record your court-ordered name change.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Your request to amend the birth certificate

How to Apply

  • Contact the clerk who holds your New Hampshire birth record for submission instructions, any additional paperwork, and fees. The name-change process is separate from correcting a factual error.

Links & Forms

New Jersey

For a birth recorded in New Jersey, mail your legal name-change request to the Record Modification Unit.

What You Need

  • Letter identifying your existing name, exact date and place of birth, your mother’s full name before marriage, and your father’s full name if listed
  • Copy of the original name-change judgment
  • Check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of New Jersey

How to Apply

  • Mail the request to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, Attn: Record Modification Unit, PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370.

Fees

  • $2 to process the legal name change
  • $25 for the first certified copy
  • $2 for each additional copy of the same certificate

Links & Forms

New Mexico

For a birth recorded in New Mexico, request the court-ordered name change through the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.

What You Need

  • Court order approving the legal name change

How to Apply

  • Contact the Bureau through the Vital Records page for its court-order submission instructions, application, and fee. The ordinary birth certificate request form orders a copy; it is not a complete name-change application.

Links & Forms

New York

Use the office for the place where you were born. New York State and New York City have separate birth records offices.

Births Outside New York City

For births elsewhere in New York State, submit the request to the New York State Department of Health.

What You Need
  • Cover letter with your current address and phone number, the new name, and your birth-record details: name at birth, date and place of birth, and parents’ names
  • Original court-certified name-change order with the court seal
  • Proof that any publication requirement in the order was met, if the court required publication
How to Apply
  • Mail the request to the Vital Records Amendment Unit, PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. A married name alone does not change the name on a birth certificate.
Fees
  • One amended certificate is issued free after processing
  • $30 for each additional copy
Updated Certificate

The state files an amended certificate and seals the original record.

Births in New York City

For births in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island, apply through the New York City Health Department.

What You Need
  • Completed Application for the Correction of a NYC Birth Certificate
  • Certified name-change court order that includes your date of birth, place of birth, and certificate number
  • Clear copies of the front and back of acceptable, current photo ID
  • Payment
How to Apply
  • Follow the legal name-change instructions in the application and send the packet to NYC’s Corrections Unit at the address on the form.
Fees
  • $40 application processing fee
  • $15 for each new certificate

Links & Forms

North Carolina

For a birth recorded in North Carolina, use the Birth Certificate Modification Application for a court-ordered name change.

What You Need

  • Completed application with a notarized signature
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Required identity documents, as listed in the application
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the application and certified documents to NC Vital Records following the instructions. If you begin through the online service, you still must send the required certified documents by mail.

Fees

  • $39 for the name-change request and first certificate: $15 amendment fee plus $24 copy fee
  • $15 for each additional copy

Links & Forms

North Dakota

For a birth recorded in North Dakota, use the court-ordered name-change instructions and amendment application.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your court order showing your old name, new name, and date of birth
  • Certified copy of the court’s Confidential Information Form, if those details are missing from the order
  • Completed Birth Record Amendment Application, SFN 60183, signed in front of a notary
  • Payment
  • Birth-copy request form, if you want an updated certified copy

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to Vital Records, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250.

Fees

  • $15 amendment fee
  • $15 for each updated certified copy

Links & Forms

Ohio

For a birth recorded in Ohio, the Office of Vital Statistics must receive a certified copy of your name-change court order.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order

How to Apply

  • Ask the court clerk whether the certified order has been sent to Ohio Vital Statistics. Contact Vital Statistics through its birth-record changes page for any remaining submission requirements and to order an updated certificate.

Updated Certificate

The updated birth certification shows the new name and states that a court granted a legal name change.

Links & Forms

Oklahoma

For a birth recorded in Oklahoma, a legal name change requires a District Court order. The administrative-order process for minor corrections is different.

What You Need

  • District Court order approving your legal name change

How to Apply

  • Contact Oklahoma Vital Records at 405-426-8880 or [email protected] for the application, supporting documents, and payment instructions for a legal name change. Follow those instructions to submit the court order.

Links & Forms

Oregon

For a birth recorded in Oregon, apply to the Center for Health Statistics after receiving your name-change court order.

What You Need

  • Completed Amend a Birth Record Order Form
  • Original certified copy of your name-change court order with the court seal and clerk’s signature
  • Completed Request to Change Birth Certificate Based on Court Order of Name Change
  • Acceptable identification, as listed in the instructions
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet using the amendment instructions. Oregon keeps the certified court order.

Fees

  • $35 amendment fee
  • $25 for a computer-issued certificate or $30 for an eligible full-image certificate
  • $30 more for optional expedited processing

Updated Certificate

The usual record includes a footnote with your former name, the court order, and the amendment date. A sealed order or an order directing a new certificate may allow a record without that footnote.

Links & Forms

Pennsylvania

For a birth recorded in Pennsylvania, use the adult birth-record modification form.

What You Need

  • Completed Request to Modify an Adult’s Birth Record, with Part 6 signed in front of a notary
  • Certified court order authorizing the name change
  • Copy of acceptable, current government-issued photo ID, or the alternate identity documents listed in the form
  • Payment for any requested certificate

How to Apply

  • Mail the packet to the Birth Registry at the address on the form. Orders from outside Pennsylvania may need additional review.

Fees

  • $20 for each certificate; the form includes a fee-waiver option for eligible military applicants

Links & Forms

Rhode Island

For a birth recorded in Rhode Island, request the name change through the Center of Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your legal name-change court order
  • Valid government-issued photo ID; send a clear copy if applying by mail
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Follow the legal name-change section of Rhode Island’s requirements document. Contact Vital Records for submission instructions or an appointment.

Fees

  • $10 to amend the record
  • $22 for an updated copy in person or $25 by mail

Links & Forms

South Carolina

For a birth recorded in South Carolina, submit the court order and a birth certificate application to Vital Statistics.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Completed Vital Records Birth Application; write “amend a certificate by court order” as the purpose
  • Old certificates to return, if your previous application was submitted within the past year
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Submit the documents to a Vital Records office or mail them using the address in the “Change Name” instructions.

Fees

  • $15 amendment fee
  • $12 search fee, including one certified copy
  • $3 for each additional copy

Links & Forms

South Dakota

For a birth recorded in South Dakota, submit a certified court order that directs Vital Records to amend the name.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of the court order identifying the birth certificate, the existing name, and the new name
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Follow the Court-Ordered Name Change instructions on the state amendment page. Contact Vital Records if your order does not explicitly direct the birth record to be amended.

Fees

  • $8 to file the amendment for a record more than one year old

Links & Forms

Tennessee

For a birth recorded in Tennessee, mail the certified name-change court order to Tennessee Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Original certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Check or money order for the amendment
  • Additional payment for an updated certificate, if requested

How to Apply

  • Mail the documents to Tennessee Vital Records at the address in its legal name-change instructions. Do not use Form PH-1186 for a court-ordered legal name change.

Fees

  • $15 amendment fee
  • $15 for each updated certificate

Links & Forms

Texas

For a birth recorded in Texas, use the Birth Certificate Correction Application, VS-170.

What You Need

  • Completed VS-170 application, signed as directed in front of a notary
  • Certified copy of the entire name-change court order, including the judge’s signature and court seal
  • Copy of the applicant’s valid photo ID
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Follow the name-change instructions in VS-170 and mail the packet to the DSHS Vital Statistics Section. Complete the court-ordered name-change information in Section 3.

Fees

  • $15 amendment fee
  • $22 for each certified corrected birth certificate
  • $25 more for optional expedited processing; shipping charges are separate

Updated Certificate

The certified amended record describes the changes below the image of the original birth record.

Links & Forms

Utah

For a birth recorded in Utah, use the court-order amendment form for an adult legal name change.

What You Need

  • Completed Amendment of a Record by Court Order form
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Birth certificate application
  • Copy of acceptable ID
  • Check or money order for mailed requests

How to Apply

  • Send the packet to Utah’s Office of Vital Records and Statistics. Complete Section A from your current record and Section B from your court order; sign Section C.

Fees

  • $50 total: $25 amendment fee and $25 for the first certificate
  • $10 for each additional copy requested at the same time
  • $25 more for optional expedited processing

Links & Forms

Vermont

For a birth recorded in Vermont, use the Application to Correct or Amend a Vermont Birth Certificate.

What You Need

  • Completed, signed application identifying the existing name and the new name
  • Certified copy of your name-change court order

How to Apply

  • Mail the application and court order to Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8370. Contact Vital Records at 802-863-7275 if you need help.

Links & Forms

Virginia

For a birth recorded in Virginia, start by asking the Office of Vital Records to review your name-change amendment request.

What You Need

  • Amendment request explaining the name change
  • Court-order information and supporting documents for review
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Complete the online request or use the forms offered on Virginia’s amendment page. The office reviews your information and tells you what additional documents it needs.

Fees

  • $10 administration fee
  • $25 total if you also request a copy: $10 administration fee plus $15 certificate fee

Links & Forms

Washington

For a birth recorded in Washington, send your name-change request to the Center for Health Statistics.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • One of the following:
    • Completed Court Order Legal Name Change Request Form
    • Letter with your name on record, date and place of birth, parents’ full names on the record, return mailing address, and phone number
    • Photocopy or certified copy of your current birth certificate

How to Apply

  • Mail the request using the state’s court-ordered name-change instructions. The court order will not be returned. To buy an updated certificate, also send the Birth Certificate Order Form and its required ID and documents.

Fees

  • $25 for each purchased certificate
  • A certified copy issued within the past year can be exchanged at no charge; the exchange requires photo ID and any necessary relationship documents

Links & Forms

West Virginia

For a birth recorded in West Virginia, request the court-ordered name change through the Health Statistics Center.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order
  • Your request to amend the name on the birth certificate
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Contact the Health Statistics Center through its correction and amendment page for the submission instructions and any additional documents needed for your court-order request.

Fees

  • $10 for an amendment following a court-ordered legal name change; a certified copy is not included

Links & Forms

Wisconsin

For a birth recorded in Wisconsin, mail the certified legal name-change court order to Wisconsin Vital Records.

What You Need

  • Certified copy of your name-change court order with the original court seal
  • Payment for filing the order
  • Additional payment if requesting certified copies

How to Apply

  • Mail the request to Wisconsin Vital Records, Attn: PSSU, PO Box 309, Madison, WI 53701. The certified order will be returned after processing. For a confidential name change, order copies with the request; later copies require a court order.

Fees

  • $10 to file the legal name-change order
  • $20 for the first certified copy
  • $3 for each additional copy

Updated Certificate

The certificate shows the amendment date and authority, the changed items, and their old information. This also applies to confidential legal name changes.

Links & Forms

Wyoming

For a birth recorded in Wyoming, mail your name-change request to Vital Statistics Services.

What You Need

  • Completed Form to Correct a Wyoming Vital Record
  • Original certified copy of your name-change court order; the office keeps this copy
  • Photocopy of valid government-issued ID, including both sides if the signature is on the back
  • Payment

How to Apply

  • Mail the forms, court order, ID copy, and payment using Vital Statistics Services’ instructions. Forms and payment are not accepted electronically.

Fees

  • $55 for a court-ordered change and one new certificate: $30 amendment fee plus $25 copy fee
  • The 2026 form lists a $15 replacement-copy option when you return a previously issued state-certified certificate

Links & Forms

Need help?

VoteRiders offers free help getting the ID and documents you need. Call or text the Free Voter ID Helpline at 866-432-8683 (866-ID-2-VOTE), or get free help online.