Your birth certificate is the original proof of your legal name. Updating (called “amending”) your birth certificate puts an official record of your new name on file with the state.
An amended birth certificate is a record you can provide to government agencies as proof of your identity. Check what documents an ID-issuing office will accept as proof of your name change before you go.
You must update (“amend”) your birth certificate in the state where you were born (this may different from the state where you currently live).
This can be done online, by mail, or in person (if you live in the state where you were born).
You will need to:
- Complete an application form (double-check that all your information is correct)
- Include certified copies of any required documents (name-change court order, marriage or divorce certificate)
- Pay any fees. There may be fees to update your birth certificate or to get a certified copy of the new one.
Check your state’s specific requirements!
Updating your birth certificate can take several weeks or more, depending on the state or county. The vital records office or website may tell you how long it usually takes.
