Amendments to Birth Records
The process to make changes to a birth certificate varies depending on the type of legal change needed and how recently the record was filed. Amendments to vital records are governed by Louisiana statutes and administrative codes. The Vital Records Registry must work within these laws when making amendments to records. Please note that because each situation is different, every application must be reviewed by a specialist to determine whether it is acceptable. If the application is determined to not be acceptable, you will be contacted with additional instructions, which will increase the processing time.
Amending A Birth Record:
How to Correct Minor Errors on the Birth Certificate of a Child up to the Age of 12
How to Change or Correct the First and Middle Name of a Child up to the Age of 12
How to Name a Child (up to Age 12) who has not been named on the Birth Certificate
How to Change the Child’s Last Name on a Birth Certificate from Birth to Age 18
How to Correct Minor Errors on a Birth Certificate for an Individual over the age of 12
How to Change the Last Name on a Birth Certificate for an Individual over the age of 18
Add or Remove A Father From A Birth Certificate:
How to Add a Father’s Name to a Birth Certificate of a Child Born to an Unmarried Mother
How to Remove a Father’s Name from a Child’s Birth Certificate
How to Add the Biological Father’s Name to a Birth Certificate of a Child Born to a Married Mother
How to Remove the Husband of a Mother from a Child’s Birth Certificate
Cost to Correct/Amend a Birth Certificate
If a Correction to a Birth Certificate is not Addressed Above
How to Correct Minor Errors on a Newborn’s Birth Certificate
Minor errors in the child or parents' names, such as spelling and typographical errors, the sex of the child, day of birth of the child, time of birth can usually be corrected. Vital Records provides a complimentary birth certificate to the parents shortly after a child's birth. The information to be corrected should be listed on the Application to Amend and submitted to Vital Records with the incorrect birth certificate. Vital Records will notify the hospital where the child was born of the parent’s request for a correction. The hospital will need to send a letter to Vital Records verifying the correct information in the medical records. If Vital Records receives the correction request within 90 days of the birth certificate file date, there is no charge for the correction.
How to Correct Minor Errors on the Birth Certificate of a Child up to the Age of 12
Minor errors in the child or parents' names, such as spelling and typographical errors, the sex of the child, day of birth of the child, time of birth can usually be corrected by a statement from the medical records department at the facility where the child was born. If the facility no longer has the medical records, the parent will need to provide evidentiary documents, such as the child’s baptismal certificate, school record, a Social Security Numident or a certified copy of the parent’s birth certificate to make the desired correction (if parent's birth certificate is in language other than English, a certified translation into English must be provided).
How to Change or Correct the First and Middle Name of a Child up to the Age of 12
An Affidavit for Correction of Given Names can be completed to change a child’s first and/ or middle name before the child reaches the age of 12. Both parents listed on the birth certificate must sign the affidavit in the presence of a licensed notary. This form cannot be used to change a child’s last name.
How to Name a Child (up to Age 12) who has not been named on the Birth Certificate
If the child was not named at birth, an Affidavit for Correction of Given Names can be used to give the child a first and middle name before the child reaches the age of 12. Both parents listed on the birth certificate must sign the affidavit in the presence of a licensed notary. This form cannot be used to change a child’s last name.
How to Change the Child’s Last Name on a Birth Certificate from Birth to Age 18
A child’s last name can be changed by an Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit or a court ordered change of name from a Louisiana court. A Certified copy of the Judgment, Petition, and District Attorney’s Answer (if applicable) must be submitted to Vital Records to determine if the court order can be used to amend the birth certificate.
How to Correct Minor Errors on a Birth Certificate for an Individual over the age of 12
Minor errors in the child’s name or parents' names, such as spelling and typographical errors, the sex of the child, or day of birth of the child can usually be corrected. A certified evidentiary document that has been established for at least 5 years must be submitted to Vital Records showing the individual’s correct birth information (full birth name, date of birth, place of birth, mother’s full maiden name, and father’s full name).
One of the following documents must be submitted to amend a birth certificate:
- Baptismal Record
- School Enrollment Record
- Application for Marriage License
- Application for Voter Registration
- Social Security Numident (Original Application for a SS Number)
- Parent’s Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate (if correcting parent’s name) If parent's birth certificate is in language other than English, a certified translation into English must be provided.
- Statement from two different US licensed medical providers (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or midwife) to correct the sex of the child (not applicable for gender reassignment)
How to Change the Last Name on a Birth Certificate for Individuals over the age of 18
If an individual is wishing to add a father to their birth certificate and change their last name, a properly executed Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit can be submitted, along with a District Attorney Affidavit which states no objection to the name change.
Otherwise, a Louisiana court ordered change of name must be obtained to change a person’s last name on their birth certificate. A certified copy of the Judgment, Petition, and District Attorney’s Answer must be submitted to Vital Records to determine if the court order can be used to amend the birth certificate.
How to Add a Father’s Name to a Birth Certificate of a Child Born to an Unmarried Mother
If a father is not already listed on the birth certificate, a 2 Party Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit can be completed by the mother and the acknowledging father and submitted to Vital Records for processing. The form must be properly executed and free of any altered information.
If either parent is unable or unwilling to complete the Acknowledgment of Paternity, a court ordered Judgment of Paternity can be obtained to add a father to a birth certificate. The child’s last name can be changed to father’s last name with a Judgment of Paternity only if the father is the petitioner. A certified copy of the Judgment and Petition should be submitted to Vital Records to determine if the court order can be used to amend the birth certificate.
How to Remove a Father’s Name from a Child’s Birth Certificate
Any person signing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity may change their mind and revoke their acknowledgment within 60 days of signing the form. The person must complete a Revocation of Acknowledgment of Paternity and file it with Vital Records within the 60 day period.
After 60 days, a parent must file a petition in court in Louisiana to rescind (revoke) the acknowledgment pursuant to R.S. 9:392 A (7) (a & b) or R.S. 9:406. If filed, the petition to rescind the acknowledgment must be based on a claim that the signing of the acknowledgment was because of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. You may need to consult with your attorney regarding what evidence might be needed to prove this claim in court.
How to Add the Biological Father’s Name to a Birth Certificate of a Child Born to a Married Mother
If a mother was married at the time of conception and birth of the child or was not divorced at least 300 days prior to the child’s birth, by law, the husband of the mother is the presumed father and must be listed on the child’s birth certificate.
If the mother, the husband/ex-husband (legally presumed father), and the biological father all agree to sign a three-party Acknoledgement of Paternity, the legally presumed father can be replaced by the biological father on the birth certificate. A DNA-based paternity test showing the biological father must accompany this affidavit This can be done at the time of birth at the hospital, or anytime up until the child's 12th birthday. See the information on Acknowledgement of Paternity: Child Born of Marriage.
How to Remove the Husband of the Mother from a Child’s Birth Certificate
If a mother was married at the time of conception and birth of the child or was not divorced at least 300 days prior to the child’s birth, by law, the husband of the mother is the presumed father and must be listed on the child’s birth certificate.
If the mother, the husband/ex-husband (legally presumed father), and the biological father all agree to sign a three-party Acknoledgement of Paternity, the legally presumed father can be replaced by the biological father on the birth certificate. A DNA-based paternity test showing the biological father must accompany this affidavit This can be done at the time of birth at the hospital, or anytime up until the child's 12th birthday. See the information on Acknowledgement of Paternity: Child Born of Marriage.
Cost to Correct/Amend a Birth Certificate
Unless requesting a hospital correction within 90 days of the birth certificate file date, the non-refundable fee for correcting or amending a birth certificate is $27.50, which includes one certified copy of the amended birth certificate. Additional certified copies can be purchased at the time of the amendment for $9.00 each. If the requestor cannot provide the original (incorrect) birth certificate, an additional $15.00 search fee must be included. Make checks or money orders payable to Vital Records Registry. Please do not mail cash.
If a Correction to a Birth Certificate is not Addressed Above
If the correction you desire is not addressed above or you require additional information, you may contact the Vital Records Amendments department by calling the number listed below:
Telephone: (504) 593-5122
How to Submit Your Birth Certificate Amendment Request
Online: You may use a major credit card to place internet orders through VitalChek Network, an authorized service provider. Online Amendment processing can be faster and more convenient as you scan and upload required documents into the VitalChek system. This results in significantly shorter processing times for most cases.
There are additional fees when using this service provider or requesting expedited services.
To order using the VitalChek Network, visit their website.
If you have already placed
a VitalChek Network order, you may also check the status.
To inquire about an order placed with VitalChek, please call 1-877-605-8562.
Louisiana Office of Public Health does not directly accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through the independent company that we have partnered with above in order to provide you with this service, VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.
By Mail: Please submit a completed application form and specify the correction(s) desired to the birth certificate. You may download the Application to Amend for mail requests.
The individual requesting a correction to his/her birth certificate must submit a completed application, legible copy of his/her valid government issued photo ID, such as state-issued driver's license or non-driver photo ID, the incorrect birth certificate, and the required fee.
If you are requesting a correction to your child’s birth certificate, both parents listed on the child’s birth certificate must submit a legible copy of their valid government issued photo ID, such as state-issued driver's license or non-driver photo ID, along with the completed application, the child’s incorrect birth certificate, and the required fee.
Requests are processed in approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the date of receipt.
Please mail your request to:
Vital Records Registry
Attn: Amendments Department
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160