Correcting a California Birth or Death Certificate
A misspelled name, a wrong date, a missing parent: California corrects vital records through a sworn affidavit, and the signatures are notarized.
Home Documents Amending Vital Records
Quick answer
Most errors on a California birth or death certificate are corrected with the California Department of Public Health’s Affidavit to Amend a Record, signed under oath by the people the form’s instructions require (often the registrant or the parents, or the informant on a death record), with their signatures notarized, and sent with supporting documents and the fee. Bigger changes, such as a legal name change or some parentage changes, need a court order instead. Follow the current CDPH instructions for your specific correction.
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Which route fits your correction
| Change | Typical route |
|---|---|
| Spelling errors, typos, wrong dates or places | Affidavit to Amend a Record, with supporting documents |
| Adding or correcting a parent’s information | Affidavit (with conditions) or a parentage document, depending on the case |
| Legal name change | Court order, then an application to amend |
| Gender marker on a birth certificate | California has a specific application process; check CDPH instructions |
| Corrections to a recent death record | Often handled by the funeral home or local registrar with an affidavit |
Which documents and signatures are required depends on the record and the change. Read the instructions on the current CDPH form before you sign anything; we can’t advise which route or form applies.
Getting the affidavit notarized
- Complete the affidavit exactly as instructed. Errors, cross-outs or correction fluid can cause rejection, so print a clean copy.
- Each signer needs acceptable ID and must sign in front of the notary; signers can appear separately.
- The notary completes the notarial certificate the form calls for.
- Send the original with your supporting evidence and fee to the office the instructions name.
After the amendment
Once the record is amended, order a new authorized certified copy (the sworn statement for mail or online orders must be notarized too). If the corrected record is going abroad, it can then be apostilled.
Common questions
Does the Affidavit to Amend a Record need to be notarized?
The signatures on California’s affidavit to amend a vital record are notarized. Follow the current form’s instructions for exactly who signs.
Can a notary correct my birth certificate?
No. A notary only notarizes the signatures on the affidavit; the state or county registrar makes the correction.
How do I change my name on my birth certificate?
A legal name change normally requires a court order first, then an application to amend the record.
Related guides
- VitalChek Sworn StatementThe notarized form for ordering birth and death certificates online or by mail.
- Birth, Death & Marriage CertificatesWhy notaries can’t certify them, where to order copies, and apostilles.
- Affidavits & Sworn StatementsThe oath, the jurat, and when a declaration needs no notary.
- Vital Record ApostillesFor dual citizenship, residency and marriage abroad.
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