kingcounty.gov Making changes to Birth Certificates United States of America : Public Health Seattle & King County

Name of the Organization : Public Health Seattle & King County
Type of Facility : Making changes to certificates
State : Washington
Country : United States of America

Website : http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/vital-statistics/changes.aspx
Correction Form : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/24686-correction.pdf

Making changes to Birth Certificates :

** The state of Washington Center for Health Statistics has adopted a birth correction policy.
** The changes will take effect January 15, 2015.

Related : Public Health Seattle & King County How to Order a Birth Certificate USA : www.statusin.org/24680.html

** Every birth certificate ordered from the King County Vital Statistics Office will have a copy of the new policy along with updated forms to fill out for corrections.
** As of January 15, 2015 the state of Washington is requiring both parents signatures on the Affidavit of Correction to process corrections for names on a birth certificate.

** Our office will continue to send the new policy for the next few months to ensure that our customers have the correct form for processing birth corrections.
** The Affidavit of Correction must be returned within one year of the issue date to receive a replacement copy for free.
** If after the year, the fee for a birth certificate is $20.00.

Note :
** If you have any questions about processing the Affidavit of Correction, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at 360-236-4300, toll free 1-800-525-0127 for Washington state residents only or King County Vital Statistics Office at 206-897-4551.

Making changes to death certificates :
** Changes to death certificates are handled on a case-by-case nature.
** To request changes, click here to contact us or call Vital Statistics at 206-897-4551.
** Adding the father to a birth certificate (if not already included)
** In Washington state, if the parents are not married at the time of the birth of the child, only the mother is listed on the child’s birth certificate.

** To add the father’s name, the Affidavit for Correction Form cannot be used but instead, you will need to fill out a Paternity Acknowledgement form.
** The father and mother of the child will need to sign the Paternity Acknowledgment with a Notary Public official as a witness who will stamp it as an official document.

** Mail the Paternity Acknowledgment to the Washington State Center for Health Statistics along with payment of $15.00. (Notary Public officials are private individuals who may charge a separate nominal fee for their services.)

FAQ :
How to get your original birth certificate ?
** In the State of Washington, adoption records are sealed but you may consider hiring a “confidential intermediary” to assist you in searching for your birth parents. Contact the King County Superior Court Adoption Service or by phone at 206-477-1493 for information.

** They are located in the King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Room W-280, Seattle, WA 98104.

No time of birth listed between 1949 to 1967?
If you were born between the years of 1949 to 1967, no times were reported on official birth records in Washington state.

** You can try checking with the hospital where you were born to see if they have retained original records of your birth which may indicate the time however most private health care facilities typically destroy medical records after 10 years from the last patient’s visit as it’s costly to continuously archive records that carry a likelihood of not being used again. The time of birth on records restarted in 1968.

Getting birth and death certificates outside of King County ?
** For birth certificates prior to 1921 and non-King County death certificates but from other Washington State counties, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at 360-236-4300 or toll-free, 800-525-0127.

** You may also contact the Washington state county health department serving the area where the birth or death occurred.

About certified records :
** Birth and death certificates issued are certified copies printed on special certified paper with a printed and raised seal. No uncertified copies are issued.
** You may hear of the terms “Birth certificate” and “Birth record”. They are the same so follow the same ordering instructions.