Amending a Birth Certificate After a Court Order Name Change
An Amendment of Birth Record to Reflect a Court Order Change of Name VS 23 (PDF) form is required to:
- Change the name of the registrant
Note: When a Court Order Name Change is being submitted to update parentās names on their childās birth certificate after obtaining a court order name change or name change through the naturalization process:
- A parentās name change may only be added to their childās birth certificate as an AKA (also known as). An Affidavit to Amend a Record VS 24 (PDF) form and certified copy of the court order name change or naturalization documentation must be submitted to CDPH-VR. Please see Correcting or Amending a Birth Certificate webpage for more information.
For more information, please see the informational pamphlet for Amending a Birth Certificate After a Court Order Name Change (PDF) and checklist.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents are used to support the information being amended. Acceptable documents include copies of the following:
- Certified copy of court orders
- Any other documents that support the request for the amendment
A certified copy of the court order is required when submitting an Amendment of Birth Record to Reflect a Court Order Change of Name.
Sworn Statement
A notarized Sworn Statement is required if a certified authorized copy of the amended certificate is requested. For explanation of who may receive a certified authorized copy view this link.
Certified Court Order
A ācertifiedā copy of the court order must be a copy of the order that was originally prepared by the court and signed by the judge. It cannot be an original printout. The photocopy you receive from the court must have all of the following:
- An original court seal
- A signature (or signature stamp) of the judge
- An original signature (or signature stamp) of the court clerk
Amendment Fees
- Amending a birth certificate after a Court Order Name Change is twenty-three dollars ($23) to process and includes a certified copy of the amended certificate
- Additional copies are twenty-five dollars ($25) each
Processing Times
CDPH-VR processing times may occasionally increase as do the volume of requests.
Currently Court Order Name Change Amendments are being processed within six (6) to eight (8) weeks from the date CDPH-VR receives the request.
Helpful Tips
- Complete all documents in black ink
- No erasures, alterations or whiteouts allowed on the VS 23 form
- This will create a multi-page certificate with the amendment attached
Helpful Links
Informational Pamphlet Amending a Birth Certificate After a Court Order Name Change (PDF) and checklist.
Amendment of Birth Record to Reflect a Court Order Change of Name VS 23 (PDF) form.
Amendment Sworn Statements (English) (Spanish)
Other Amendment Types
General Birth Amendment
Correcting a Sex Field Error
Sex Change/Reassignment
Adoption
Acknowledgement of Paternity/Parentage
Adjudication of Paternity
Supplemental Name Report
Death/Fetal Death
Marriage