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​Approved by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 12, 2025, AB 64 (Pacheco, Chapter 662, Statutes of 2025) allows the use of diacritical marks on a certificate of live birth, fetal death, death, marriage license and certificate, or confidential marriage license and certificate. If a name is not accurately recorded because of the absence of a diacritical mark, an affidavit and payment of the required fee may be submitted to amend a certificate with the accurate name.

Pursuant to statute, the California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) has developed a list of acceptable diacritical marks which may be used on all vital records, as follows:

Additionally, this bill mandates a $2 fee increase to all certified copies of vital records. Please see table below for list of copy types impacted by the fee increase.

The still birth certified copy fee will remain $28. Out-of-state adoptions fee will remain $20. Amendment fee will remain at $26, which includes one certified copy of the newly amended record. If additional certified copies are needed, please see the table above.

Starting July 1, 2026, CDPH-VR will begin amending records to include diacritical marks. No earlier than two years after the appropriation of funds, diacritical marks may be included upon registration of vital records.

Only CDPH may amend public marriage certificates to include diacritical marks. Any locally registered amendments to public marriage records that include diacritical marks will be rejected by CDPH.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the CDPH-VR, Amendment Unit at Amendhelpdesk@cdph.ca.gov or by calling (916) 678-3525.

Diacritical Mark List​​​​