Name of the Organization : New Jersey Department of Health
Type of Facility : Correcting a Vital Record
Country : New Jersey, USA
Website : http://www.newjersey.gov/health/vital/amend.shtml
Correcting a Vital Record :
Requests for corrections may be filed with the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry or the Local Registrar in the municipality where the event occurred, or in the case of marriage or civil union license, in the municipality where the license was issued.
Related : Wisconsin Department of Health How to apply for a copy of a Vital Record : www.statusin.org/24381.html
Requests for corrections must be supported by verifiable documentation. Requirements for corrections vary based on the type of correction being filed. Please select from the correction types listed below to view the specific requirements. All forms identified are available at the office of the Local Registrar.
If, after reading the information below, you have further questions, please call 1-866-649-8726 and choose the option for “Questions regarding correcting your vital record”.
Please note: The Office of Vital Statistics and Registry will not replace previously issued copies once an amendment is completed.
General Corrections to All Vital Records, Birth, Death, Marriage, Civil Union or Domestic Partnership:
General corrections to vital records are made via an REG-34 General Amendment form, available at any vital records office. General corrections fall into three categories; ancillary, non-ancillary items and typographical errors.
Ancillary items are non-critical supplemental items. In most cases these corrections can be accepted and amended certified copies issued immediately by the Local Registrar without review or authorization by the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
Non-ancillary items are critical items, requiring review and approval by the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry prior to being accepted and amended copies issued.
Non-Ancillary items are:
** Name of the subject(s) of the record
** Date of the event
** Place of the event
** In some cases, parent names
** Domestic Status, Name of Spouse/Partner on Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership certificates
** Domestic Status, Surviving Spouse/Partner and all medical/injury data on Death certificates
Typographical or documented hospital errors require the signature of the parent(s) listed on the birth certificate, or the child upon the age of 18 and may require proof of the documented error. In most cases, the parents may file for correction of typographical or documented hospital errors through the local registrar’s office where the vital event occurred.
Correction requests for a marriage/civil union or domestic partnership requires one or both applicants to sign the amendment form.
Correction requests for a death certificate requires the signature of an individual with definite knowledge and documentary proof of the requested amendment. Note: Only the medical certifier or medical examiner has the authority to amend any medical related data on the death certificate.
Legal Name Changes:
** To amend your name on a birth, marriage, civil union or domestic partnership record, mail the following documents to the address listed below.
** A letter identifying the vital record to be corrected. Identify the name currently reported on the vital record, the exact date and place where the event occurred, and in the case of a birth record, the mother’s full maiden name and father’s full name, if listed on the vital record.
** A certified copy of the original judgment of name change. This document will be returned. Photocopies cannot be accepted.
** Payment in the amount of $2 to process the legal name change. A certified copy of the certificate can be ordered for $25 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy of the same certificate. Please remit payment in the form of a check or money order made payable to: Treasurer, State of New Jersey.
New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registration:
Attn: – Record Modification Unit
PO Box 370
Trenton, NJ 08625-0370
Corrections to the surname on a birth certificate:
Corrections to the spelling of the surname can be made via an REG-34 amendment form, with acceptable, verifiable documentary proof.
In order to:
** switch the order of hyphenated or dual surnames;
** remove a surname from a hyphenated or dual surname; or
** add a second surname, when the surname to be added is the surname of a parent already listed on the birth certificate
** correct the spelling of a surname
** individuals born prior to 1/1/1993 must obtain a court ordered legal name change to amend the surname, in most cases.
** individuals born 1/1/1993 to present can submit acceptable verifiable documentary proof.
Corrections to the first and/or middle name on a birth certificate:
Phonetic changes can be requested, and shall be made by submitting to the Local or State Registrar an REG-34 amendment form that has been signed before an active Registrar, Deputy Registrar or Alternate Deputy Registrar that has a valid CMR certification and who is employed by a local registration district within New Jersey OR individuals including, but not limited to, licensed attorneys at law, Notary Publics, or any Judge of any court of competent jurisdiction within the United States.
Non-Phonetic changes include the reordering or switching of the child’s first and/or middle name(s), or the addition or deletion of a portion of the child’s first and/or middle name(s). Non-Phonetic changes can be requested, and shall be made by submitting to the Local or State Registrar an REG-34 amendment form that has been signed before before an active Registrar, Deputy Registrar or Alternate Deputy Registrar that has a valid CMR certification and who is employed by a local registration district within New Jersey OR individuals including, but not limited to, licensed attorneys at law, Notary Publics, or any Judge of any court of competent jurisdiction within the United States.