Changing Birth Certificates

We currently have a six (6) month processing turnaround time.

• If you submitted an application with a processing fee, the date your check or money order is cashed is the date we received your request, which helps you estimate the time left for processing.
• We are working diligently to reduce the turnaround times. If your request has not been processed after six (6) months, please call us at (360) 236-4300. We appreciate your patience, thank you.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Center for Health Statistics Office adopted policy CHS-B8-2023 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.

We can amend the record of birth that happened in Washington State from 1907 to present. You must complete the amendment application and send it to us. Please follow the directions on this webpage to avoid processing delays or application denial.

Applications

For each application, you must submit the following:

• A completed and signed Affidavit for Correction form
• Copy of your government issued photo identification card
• Proof of relationship, if required
• Any required supporting proof documents

A parent listed on the certificate or legal guardian with a certified court document of guardianship can request to change the birth certificate of a person under 18. We will not accept custodial paperwork.

An emancipated minor with certified court documents is treated as an adult. See the requirements for an adult (person 18 or over).

Child's information on birth certificate

Parent's information on birth certificate

Does not require Affidavit for Correction form,
call (360) 236-4300.
Parent label options:
• Mother/Father
• Parent/Parent

• At least one parent must sign the Affidavit for Correction with one (1) proof document.
• If parent is correcting their last name on subject's certificate and the subject's last name is also miss-spelled, the Affidavit for Correction must list all correction requests on separate lines.

• At least one parent must sign the Affidavit for Correction with one (1) proof document.

• Proof must be a copy of the subject or parent’s hospital or medical records from the time of the birth.

Social Security Card

Emancipated minors may request amendments to their own birth record in the same manner as an adult may request changes to their own birth record. For the State Registrar to make changes requested by an emancipated minor, the emancipated minor must provide a certified copy of the court order indicating their status as an emancipated minor.

Adult's information on birth certificate

• Requestor must submit the Affidavit for Correction form.
• The required proof document must be a copy of the hospital record.

Not available for births from 1949 to 1967 because time of birth was not collected for these years.

Correct their sex assigned at birth

Correct or change their location of birth or facility name

Parent's information on birth certificate

Does not require Affidavit for Correction form, call (360) 236-4300.
Parent label options:
• Mother/Father
• Parent/Parent

• Requestor must submit the Affidavit for Correction form and one (1) proof document.

• Requestor must submit the Affidavit for Correction form and one (1) proof document.

Proof Documents

Acceptable proof documents include:

• Hospital/medical record
• Full Numident Report (Social Security)
• Social Security Abstract
• Birth, marriage, or divorce record
• Copy of passport or enhanced identity document
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Permanent resident card (I-551)
• Health or life insurance policy
• Military record (DD-214)
• Official school transcripts
• Government agency records for establishment of benefits (such as social services or Medicaid

We do not accept a Driver’s License, Social Security Card, family bible, or hospital decorative birth certificate as proof documents.

Proof documents must:

• Show the true facts that are being requested to be changed
• Include full name and date of birth
• Match exactly the correction requested on the Affidavit for Correction. Example, if you are requesting a correction from “Mary Doe” to “Mary Ann Doe”, the proof must show the name to be Mary Ann Doe. Proof cannot show “Mary A. Doe” or “M. Ann Doe”.
• Be from independent sources, when more than one proof document is required
• Have been established over five years ago (it could have been printed more recently) OR have been established within five years of birth, if correcting the child's information and child is under five.

Only documents listed below are exempt from the five-year rule and will be accepted from any period of time:

• Passport
• Permanent resident card (I-551)

Forms

You must use the Affidavit for Correction form.

• 422-034-Affidavit for Correction (English) (PDF)
• 422-034-Declaración Jurada de Corrección (Español) (PDF)

The form is also printed on the back of every certificate. Print the most recent form if the revision date is before March 2020.

Ordering a new certificate or exchanging a certificate with your application

You can exchange or order a certificate when you change a vital record.

• If you have a certified copy of a certificate issued less than one year ago, send in the certified copy of the certificate with your correction application. We will exchange the certificate at no charge. Include a copy of a phot identification and proof of relationship, if required.
• To order a certified copy of a certificate, fill out the birth certificate order form and send it in with your correction application. Follow the instructions on the order form to avoid delays.
• Certificate will be issued after the correction has been processed.

Submitting the Affidavit for Correction Application

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

1) By Mail

Center for Health Statistics
Attn: Amendments
P.O. Box 47814
Olympia, WA 98504-7814

2) In Person by appointment