You can request a birth certificate correction by mail.

You must send:

• Completed Birth Certificate Correction Application
• Photocopy of a current, signed photo ID
• Required documents
• Check or money order for fee payment (if applicable)

Required Documents

The documents you need depend on the correction you want to make. For some corrections, you must include both originals and copies. For a full list of required documents, read the Birth Certificate Correction Application.

Cost

There is a nonrefundable $40 processing fee per order for most types of corrections. The fee is the same even if you are correcting more than one type of information.

If you also want a copy of your amended certificate sent to you, you must submit a payment of $55. It costs $15 for each copy you request.

Cash is not accepted. You must pay by check or money order payable in U.S. dollars to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

There is no cost for the following types of corrections:

• Acknowledgments of Parentage or Paternity
• Orders of Parentage, Filiation, or Paternity
• Adding a parent who was married before the birth of the child
• Adding a child’s given name, if submitted by a parent to the Health Department within 60 days of the child’s birth
• Adding a child’s given name, if submitted by a parent to the hospital within 12 months of the child’s birth
• Correcting hospital errors and omissions, if submitted by the hospital where the child was born within the first 12 months of birth

Processing and Shipping

It takes 12 weeks to process the application. Delivery can take an additional 2 weeks. 

Processing time does not start until Vital Records receives your application. Allow additional time for your application to be delivered.

The Office of Vital Records isn’t liable for items delayed or lost in the mail.

You can request a birth certificate correction in person. An appointment is required.

Schedule an appointment.

If you are unable to schedule an appointment and have an emergency request related to travel, health care coverage, government services, military, housing, or employment, email correctionsunit2@health.nyc.gov. Include a clear copy of your unexpired ID and documents showing you have an emergency. Examples include a paid plane ticket, a letter from an employer with a job start date, or a letter from a government agency with an appointment date.

What to Bring

• Completed Birth Certificate Correction Application.
• Current, signed photo ID
• Required documents
• Credit or debit card, check, or money order for payment (if applicable)

Required Documents

The documents you need depend on the correction you want to make. For some corrections, you must include both originals and copies. For a full list of required documents, read the Birth Certificate Correction Application.

Cost

There is a nonrefundable $40 processing fee per order for most types of corrections. The fee is the same even if you are correcting more than one type of information.

If you also want a copy of your amended certificate sent to you, you must submit a payment of $55. It costs $15 for each copy you request.

Cash is not accepted. You can pay by:

• Credit or debit card
• Check or money order payable in U.S. dollars in the exact amount to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

There is no cost for the following types of corrections:

• Acknowledgments of Parentage or Paternity
• Orders of Parentage, Filiation, or Paternity
• Adding a parent who was married before the birth of the child
• Adding a child’s given name, if submitted by a parent to the Health Department within 60 days of the child’s birth
• Adding a child’s given name, if submitted by a parent to the hospital within 12 months of the child’s birth
• Correcting hospital errors and omissions, if submitted by the hospital where the child was born within the first 12 months of birth

Location and Hours

The Corrections Unit is open from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 3:30 PM.

It is located at:

125 Worth Street, Room 144
(use the Lafayette Street entrance)
New York, NY 10013

Processing and Shipping

It takes 12 weeks to process the application. Delivery can take an additional 2 weeks.

Processing time does not start until Vital Records receives your application. Allow additional time for your application to be delivered.

The Office of Vital Records isn’t liable for items delayed or lost in the mail.

It takes 12 weeks to process a correction. Delivery by mail may take an additional 2 weeks.

You can check the status of a birth certificate correction online.

Check order status.

If the relevant processing time has passed and you haven’t received your request, you can contact Vital Records.

By Email

Email correctionsunit2@health.nyc.gov.

By Phone

The process for adding a second parent on a birth certificate depends on who is requesting the change and the marital status of the parents.

Request by Mother or Birth Parent

You can add a second parent’s name to your child’s birth certificate. The requirements usually depend on the marital status of the mother or parent who gave birth.

Marriage records or other documents must be submitted with the application. If the parent has been married more than once, divorce records also must be submitted.

Request by Adult Child

You can add a second parent to your birth certificate. Document requirements depend on the marital status of your parents.

If your parents were not married when you were born, you must provide:

• An original Acknowledgment of Parentage form filled out by both parents
• Copy of a valid photo ID of each person involved—child, mother/birth parent, and intended father/second parent

If your parents were married when you were born, you must provide:

• The original civil marriage certificate of the parents
• Copy of a valid photo ID of each person involved—child, mother/birth parent, and intended father/second parent

Your parents must also sign your completed Birth Certificate Correction Application.

Adults

If you're 18 or older, you can request a name change on your birth certificate only after a legal name change has been granted by the courts.

If you live in NYC, you must go to Civil Court to request a legal name change. If you live outside of NYC, go to the appropriate court in your area to request a legal name change.

Visit the Name Change page to learn more.

Child Under 18

If you are requesting a correction of a child’s name on the birth certificate, you must include additional documents with your completed Birth Certificate Correction Application.

To add or correct a child’s first or middle name you need to provide one of the following documents:

• Immunization record showing child’s first name, date of birth, name of parent listed on the birth certificate and the health care facility’s stamp. The record must be at least 10 years old.
• First census record taken after birth (federal or state).
• Letter from a physician showing child’s date of birth and correct name. The letter must be on official letterhead and indicate that treatment was 10 or more years ago. It must include the date of the first and last date of visit.
• Letter from a school you attended showing your date of birth and correct name. The letter must indicate the dates that you were registered and must be from a school that you attended at least 10 years ago.
• A letter or document from a religious institution showing your date of birth and correct name. The document must be at least 10 years old and on official letterhead.
• Your life insurance policy showing your date of birth and correct name. The policy must be at least 10 years old.

Generally, the document must be from before the child’s seventh birthday, or it must be at least 10 years old.

To change a child’s first, middle, or last name, you must have a certified legal name change court order. If you live in NYC, you must go to Civil Court to request a legal name change. If you live outside of NYC, go to the appropriate court in your area to request a legal name change.

The certified legal name change court order must include the date of birth, place of birth, and certificate number.

You can change the gender marker on your birth certificate to reflect your preferred gender identity.

You can change marker to:

• M (male)
• F (female)
• X (not exclusively male or female; nonbinary)

To change the gender marker on a birth certificate, you must submit:

• Completed Birth Certificate Correction Application
• Current photo identification
• Signed and notarized statement requesting a gender marker change on your birth certificate to your preferred gender identity
• Self-Attestation Form (for registrants 18 or older)
• Attestation Form (for named parents or legal guardians of registrant under 18)

You don’t need to provide a letter from a health care provider to change the gender marker.

Get required forms in multiple languages.

If you need more information about changing a gender marker, email tgnyc@health.nyc.gov.

The NYC Health Department only keeps birth records for people who were born in New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island).

Born in Other Area in New York

If you were born in New York State, but outside of NYC, contact the NYS Health Department.

Online

Visit the NYS Health Department website.

By Phone

You can contact the Office of Vital Records for help with:

• Ordering a certificate
• Status of an order if processing time has passed
• Scheduling or canceling an appointment
• Refunds

By Email

Email correctionsunit2@health.nyc.gov.

Include:

• The reason for the email
• How you ordered (mail or in person)
• Date you ordered

Online

Chat online with an operator Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

In Person

Appointments are required.

Schedule an appointment.

Visit:

Office of Vital Records
125 Worth Street (use the Lafayette Street entrance)
New York, NY 10013

By Phone